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Originally from Llanishen - quite a while ago judging by the accent
Is there a bluebirds down under group? I live in Melbourne
Yes, there has been one for years. In the early days we used to get video tapes sent over and watch them together and we'd meet up quite frequently. We used to get pretty large gatherings and do things like play football games against other supporters clubs. We also brought a load of people back for the FA cup final.
There is still a Facebook group so you should join up although I'm not sure how often / if ever people meet up. It used to be pretty much a Sydney thing but I'm now up the coast in Byron Bay.
It's a shame that it's fizzled out but I think the internet and the ability to watch games at home killed it off a bit.
There is also a Welsh Downunder type group and I think they get together to watch the egg chasing primarily and for St David's Day. I'm not really interested in that and they tend to meet at The Oaks in Sydney because it has a 'taffy's bar'. It's one of those huge Sydney pubs but generally full of boring North Shore types. I think I saw they are meeting in Melbourne for the egg chasing v Aus.
Let me know if you can't find the Facebook groups and I'll point you in the right direction.
It’s a fragmented group, caused by the rebrand unfortunately.
Richard, who set up the club years ago, couldn’t do enough for you if you’re about in the northern beaches and he will give you a tour around the place, but he can’t control who turns up at the ‘gatherings’, who, in fairness are mostly dimwitted drunks and gambling addicts.
I’d give it a wide berth.
Welsh DownUnder are no better… they’re your customary idiots that turn up for six nations games or an organised St David’s Day event and get blind drunk and antisocial and thrown out of bars / arrested.
I found the whole thing embarrassing when I lived in Sydney for 2 and half years.
Sorry you had a bad time with the BDU. I can't speak on behalf of the Welsh Downunder as I haven't ever met up with them but I've only ever had positive experiences with the BDU and have made some lifelong friends. We've had people from all walks of life including backpackers, tourists, ex pats and people with Cardiff heritage. We've also been lucky enough to have ex players including Adrian Alston, Gavin Rae and Tony Vidmar join our gatherings.
I guess with alcohol involved there is always the chance of antisocial behaviour but I can't personally remember anything particularly bad. I do recall a few occasions when we were asked to leave venues but RSA (responsible service of alcohol) laws are pretty strict out here.
In saying that, I haven't been to all the gatherings so might have missed some incidents. I am curious though. Do you mind me asking roughly what period you were in Sydney and which pub the gatherings were at? In the early days we used to have a home which was The Kauri Hotel in Glebe which I think was after a brief stint in Lane Cove. After that it tended to be around the Surry Hills, Central, area. Not the most salubrious of venues but places like Cheers Bar, Royal Exhibition Hotel etc. Occasionally the casino for Wales games.