Footscray greats recall the night the club called last drinks 30 years ago and the fightback that saved the Bulldogs

In 1989, Footscray players gathered in the social club resigned to losing their club before supporters rallied to save the Bulldogs from being put down in a campaign that is part of football folklore.

Tony Liberatore, with son Tom at Whitten Oval, is proud that the Bulldogs survived. Picture: AAP

Tony Liberatore can still remember last drinks at the Footscray Social Club in 1989.

They weren’t being called for the end of a long night, but for a VFL club that had been in existence since 1877.

The VFL — under its then boss Ross Oakley — was about to become the AFL and the cash-strapped Bulldogs were given two dire choices — merge or die.

“I remember having last drinks at the social club, which is no longer here,” Liberatore said.

“And it was mainly made up of reserve grade players and maybe Doug Hawkins, because the club was going to merge with Fitzroy and some of the more senior players probably didn’t want to have a last celebration drink type thing.”

Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon joined the SuperFooty Podcast to look back on the Footscray Fightback in 1989.

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The night certainly felt like a wake for the players in attendance, but when the news became public Bulldogs fans refused to accept it.

They fought tooth and nail to save their club, rattling tins and doing everything in their power to stop the Dogs from being put down.

Solicitor and current day president Peter Gordon helped lead the charge, becoming the spokesman of the Save The Dogs Committee.

“It was quite amazing and the supporters raised a million dollars and all had ‘Up yours Oakley’ stickers,” Liberatore said.

Footscray greats Tony Liberatore, Steve Wallis and Mark Hunter with their sons, Bulldogs players Tom, Mitch and Lachie, at Whitten Oval. Picture: Andrew Tauber

Former Bulldog great Steve Wallis, the father of midfielder Mitch, was there in 1989 and remembers just how close it was to being all over.

“We had come off a fairly tough season and financially we were in dire straits,” Wallis said.

“To see the rallying of all teams behind the Bulldogs, but also the support of all the supporters, was just unbelievable.

“It’s kept us in the competition and we’ll look back on that as a pivotal part of our history.”

The club is this week commemorating the fightback of 1989, which culminates with Sunday’s clash with Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

Bulldog Lachie Hunter, whose father Mark played 130 games in the red, white and blue, said the way the club was saved was now a part of football folklore.

“There’s some really personal stories you hear,” Hunter said.

“Rohan Smith has one, he remembers being a kid and they were knocking on the doors asking for money and he remembers his parents giving a $100 note over, which was a massive deal back in the day for his family.

“You hear little stories like that really make you appreciate it.”

An “Up Yours Oakley” sticker on a car outside the Western Oval.

Bulldog Tom Liberatore said it was always a topic he was keen to learn about from his father throughout the years.

“Growing up in the environment that I did watching the ‘Year of the Dog’ documentary when I was four or five, I certainly loved quizzing Dad about what was going on and how this footy club came about,” he said.

“And further on my knowledge grew being here through the culture and the stories themselves.”

Liberatore Sr, who won the 1990 Brownlow Medal, said he was tremendously proud that the Bulldogs survived and were now thriving.

“It’s joyous. The premiership in 2016 was amazing and to see the transformation and good people running the football club is tremendous,” he said.

Wallis Sr agreed, saying the death of his club would have left a much a void in his life.

“It’s a big part of our family’s life naturally,” he said.

Tony Liberatore at the Whitten Oval with son Tom. Picture: AAP

“We’ve always been involved with the Bulldogs, so to take that away and for that not to be there would be something we wouldn’t have liked.

“To sit here now and to watch the Bulldogs play today and to look at a young up-and-coming team doing well, and to be doing well financially, has been fantastic.”

Wallis Sr, who played 261 games for the Bulldogs, said he still found it hard to believe that his son was playing for the same football club today.

“It’s a bit surreal that I’ve been fortunate enough to have Mitch come along and play with the Bulldogs as well,” he said.

“I love this place and I’m a country kid who came down here and has enjoyed the city life, but also had a great career in work from the football club.

“It’s terrific to be able to watch these guys play.”