[barrack]

Barrack a term for supporters of sporting teams. In Melbourne, the Victoria Barracks were located at St. Kilda Cricket Ground end of the Albert Park Playing Fields until the 1970's. At the north end was South Melbourne Cricket Ground. BOTH were also used as Football Grounds. In those days, people worked on Saturday mornings until 1:00 pm. Most lived within walking distance of their workplace. Early Melbournian sporting followers and the Barracks Military and Civilian personnel, evolved the habit of "going" to the "football" after work before going home or whatever. The games were not fixtured together, but alternative Saturdays, thus 'trapping' or encouraging the supporters to both grounds EACH week. The South Melbourne Ground was at the other end of the park and necessitated a long stroll. The 'Outer' of the South Melbourne ground was artificially 'mounded' for spectators' better viewing. The perimeter public fence was built at some small distance behind the bottom of the mound, to services for the supporters convenience. Some supporters, along with their sons, arrived earlier for a better location. The sons often kicked a rag or paper football 'end-to-end' to each other to fill in time. Watching was always a group of boys atop the mound and were first to notice the Barrack Personnel walking across the playing fields. Then would cry "HERE COME THE BARRACKERS!" As all young boys well knew, that generally signified the the "Game" was soon to commence.