That’s right; it was Tex Perkins – the lead singer of iconic Aussie rock bands Cruel Sea and Beasts of Bourbon.
VIDEO: More than a football Club: 2014 Saints membership
Perkins wasn’t much of a football-watcher as a kid. “I was a rock-and-roller,” he told SAINTS.com.au.“For a long time sport, art and music had nothing to do with each other.”
But in 1993 racism in sport and the greater community was put under the microscope with Nicky Winmar’s iconic jumper lift. The multi-Aria-award-winner was moved by Winmar’s bravery, and instantly fell in love with the St Kilda Football Club.
“I grew up in Melbourne, Brisbane and lived in Sydney and it wasn’t until 1993 that I saw a picture of an aboriginal man holding his jumper up. I thought wow, what an incredible image. I became curious and basically became a Nicky Winmar fan.”
Perkins speaks with firm authority but also with an endearing warmth. He’s worldly and cultured, but equally appreciative of the uncomplicated things in footy such as the animal enclosure at Moorabbin. You may recognise his voice from St Kilda’s 2014 membership ad More than a Football Club.
And that’s exactly what the club is to Perkins… More than a Football Club.
While he loved Tony Lockett and marvelled at Robert Harvey, he believes the true essence of St Kilda is captured in the hardship.
“There has always been frustration and you can’t get away from that,” he said.
“There has been a lot of struggle and pain over the years. I am far more interested in a club where the culture is based on struggle rather than those super clubs that I despise like Essendon and Carlton.”
And like every loyal Saints fan, Perkins knows that when the stars finally align, it will be worth the wait.
“When it does happen for us, the taste will be much sweeter than anything they [the other clubs] have ever tasted.”
“To be a St Kilda supporter – there is lots of pain and struggle, but that’s part of it. This is who we are.”
You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32
