Janet O’Shea has been a Hawthorn supporter for over 70 years. Janet and her late husband Gerry have followed the Club since they were known as the ‘Mayblooms’ The couple moved to Hawthorn after their honeymoon in 1942, and raised two sons, Bill born in 1948 and John 1951.

Bill and John were delivered by the family’s GP the late Dr Sandy Ferguson. Dr Ferguson had become President of Hawthorn in 1951 and delivered John on the morning of Saturday 21 April, just before attending his first game at Glenferrie Oval as President of the Club. He was more nervous about making the game on time than delivering John, Janet says.

Janet has lived in Elm Street, Hawthorn for 66 years and has been a member for most of this time. She is a current 2008 member and has a reserved seat at the MCG with her son John and his two children. If it is a fine day she walks from Elm Street to the MCG proudly wearing her HFC bomber jacket, scarf and cap and then catches the tram home after the game.

Janet is a legend in Elm Street and the Hawthorn Football Club has played an important part in her life. We all wish Janet a very Happy Birthday and many more to come.



Janet, Gerry, John and Bill watching Hawthorn play Melbourne at Glenferrie Oval.