Fans
- Early audiences
- Tone to the
occasion - Displays of passion
- Greatest rivalry
- Special trains
- Something to
cheer about
Early Audiences
Male athletes who competed in Canada’s first organized team sports, especially sports imported from Britain, were compelled to compete to the best of their abilities in a 'gentlemanly' manner. Audiences, likewise, maintained a state of decorum, and were not overzealous in their appreciation for their favourite team. The first audiences to cheer wildly were for the Montreal Shamrocks lacrosse team in the 1870s.
Owing to the irregularity of arranging matches with outside teams, and the obstacles fans and teams had to overcome when travelling to games, spectator numbers were kept relatively small. Trains were the primary mode of transportation, and were often late.
"The Foot-Ball Girl," by Mount Allison fine arts student Levi J. Mattall, 1902
Home and Topics - Galleries - Timeline - Maps
Copyright - Footnotes - Credits - Technical Information - Feedback
© 2008 Mount Allison University Archives
Sackville, New Brunswick
All Rights Reserved
Maintained by the Mount Allison University Archives
This project was funded by the Marjorie Young Bell Endowment Fund