Goodbye Leederville Oval: History of West Perth Cheer Squad 1984-86

This book details the author's experiences as co-founder of West Perth Football Club’s unofficial cheer squad from 1984 to 1986. The book describes “traditional”, “hot” support for West Perth Football Club among teenaged supporters from middle-class and working-class backgrounds. The author shows how, because of neo-liberal ideologies and the corporatization of football, the new national league (the “expanded VFL” / AFL) relegated the WAFL to a second-tier league in 1987. This move took place over the heads of ordinary football supporters and two WAFL club presidents. Moves to bring the game closer to the people in 1984, such as holding the best-and-fairest award count night at Perth Entertainment Centre, should be seen in this light. This book will allow supporters to relive great teams, great players, and great matches from a wonderful era in WA football 1984-86 before West Coast Eagles joined the expanded VFL/AFL.