The Western Bulldogs will celebrate their Member Recognition Round this week, building up to Saturday night's match against St Kilda.

Every weekday, the Club will turn the spotlight onto one of the Club's members and share their story, showcasing the passion they have for the red, white and blue.

Members were invited to submit their story to westernbulldogs.com.au last week. Each member whose story is shared this week on westernbulldogs.com.au, will receive a double pass to be involved in the guard of honour for Saturday night's match.

 

Member: David Hitchcock

I became a Western Bulldogs Member because...

My Uncle Ron first took me to a Bulldogs game when I was about 10. I was always a Bulldogs fan because my Mum was a passionate supporter and member who was born just a Teddy Whitten torpedo punt from Whitten Oval. I became a junior member as soon as I could and have been a member for nearly 50 years.

My favourite Bulldogs football memory is…

There are so many…three quarter time of the '97 preliminary final when we were planning our grand final ticket strategy; Don McKenzie kicking 80m torpedo punts with the wind at Whitten Oval; Ted Whitten’s final game in the rain against Hawthorn; Doug Hawkins breaking Ted’s club games record; Kelvin Templeton’s 15 goals against the Saints; crying with appreciation for Libba in his last game; but the last home game at Whitten Oval against the Eagles in 1997 was probably the most emotional moment, in the rain with our mates and our baby Catherine (18 months old) in our arms at her first game.

The Bulldogs are important to me because…

Its all about mateship and family, sharing the great days with the not so good days with family and friends. The Bulldogs are in my blood, from travelling on the train to all the old traditional grounds with my mum to today where mum’s legacy continues with all the family hard nosed doggies fans and my youngest daughter as committed as anyone to keep the Bulldog family tradition going.

 

My first memory of being a Bulldogs member, or going to a Bulldogs match is…

Watching Teddy Whitten from the terraces of the Brunswick St oval with my Uncle Ron and attending the 1961 VFL Preliminary Final with my Dad to watch Bob Spargo play alongside club legends, Schultz, Whitten and Merv Hobbs.

 

Any other comments…?

Footy's an emotional game and being a Bulldog member and supporter for so long I reckon I have been more emotional than most. I just love the Dogs and will die a happy man if I can see us win a flag. Go Dogs