The Port Adelaide Football Club has today officially launched a petition in its bid to wear its famous black-and-white Prison Bar guernsey in all Showdowns moving forward.
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch says the petition will form part of the club’s official submission to the AFL.
PETITION: click here to sign
“It is overwhelmingly clear that not only our Members and supporters want to see this guernsey featured in Showdowns on the national stage, but it is also evident that we have widespread support from supporters of other clubs right across the country.
“I am proud to announce that all living captains of Port Adelaide have already pledged their support as part of this petition.
“And we thank Australian Football Hall of Famers such as Kevin Sheedy, David Parkin, Malcolm Blight, Graham Cornes, Dennis Cometti and Mike Sheahan for their public support of our iconic guernsey in recent times.”
Mr Koch reaffirmed Port Adelaide’s position.
“We are not asking to be the Magpies in the AFL,” he said.
“All we are asking is that we are able to wear our historic black-and-white Prison Bar guernsey in all Showdowns moving forward.
“The Showdowns are a true celebration of the heritage of South Australian football. The Adelaide Crows represent the nine clubs that formed the SANFL competition until 1990, while Port Adelaide stands tall as the only suburban club from outside of Victoria to be elevated onto the national stage.
“The black-and-white Prison Bar guernsey, and the spirit that lives within that guernsey, not only represents toil and unparalleled success for Port Adelaide, but also provided the lightning rod for the formation of the Crows in 1990 and in doing so lit the fuse on one of the fiercest rivalries in Australian sport.”
Mr Koch says Port Adelaide’s black-and-white Prison Bar guernsey is more than just a uniform.
“A football guernsey is more than a piece of cloth. It’s about identity, meaning, and purpose.
“This is why the traditional black-and-white Prison Bar guernsey is so important for our people.
“This guernsey represents who we are, and where generations of people and families who support Port Adelaide come from.
“And when you’re celebrating 150 years of tradition like we are, that’s important.
“At a time when clubs and competitions around the world are being reminded that they are nothing without their fans, why should Port Adelaide members, supporters and players be deprived of the opportunity to connect with something so important to them?
“We believe that every sports fan around the world will relate to what this is fundamentally about.
“It is about the power of fans and the passion and connection they have for their clubs.
“We don’t believe what we are asking for is unreasonable and we look forward to submitting our official proposal to the AFL soon.”
Click here to sign Port Adelaide’s black-and-white Prison Bar petition.
