Full Transcript for Steven Walker: why they call him Angry

WEBVTT 00:00:03.270 --> 00:00:14.920 Welcome to the Bear Essential Podcast where I will chat to the people who have contributed to the rich history of the Bayswater Morley Cricket Club, formerly known as the Bassendean Bayswater Cricket Club, established in 1946. 00:00:14.920 --> 00:00:25.910 My name is David Baird and my association with the club began in 1983, and over the years I've been a player, lower grade captain, president, secretary and club coach. 00:00:25.910 --> 00:00:35.770 Today I will be chatting to Steven Walker, better known as Angry. Angry is a country lad who arrived at Hillcrest in 1972 and has never left. 00:00:35.770 --> 00:00:41.300 He served on committee for seven seasons, played seconds, thirds and fourths, and captained the thirds to a grand final. 00:00:41.760 --> 00:00:44.980 In 1993-94 he was awarded like membership. 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:51.590 Welcome Steven, or better known as Angry. How are you my friend? 00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:53.880 I'm good mate, thanks. Yep, going okay. 00:00:54.240 --> 00:00:55.500 That's good, thank you for your time. 00:00:55.910 --> 00:00:56.570 No problem. 00:00:56.810 --> 00:01:04.020 Look, I reckon I played two seasons at the club before I knew your real name. Can you tell me how you got the nickname of Angry? 00:01:04.520 --> 00:01:09.120 Well, at the time I was the only one playing grade cricket who had tattoos. 00:01:09.380 --> 00:01:15.000 And Neil McAullay, in his infinite wisdom, decided that that would be my name after Angry Anderson. 00:01:15.180 --> 00:01:16.420 Aha, rose tattooed. 00:01:16.420 --> 00:01:16.860 Two, yes. 00:01:16.860 --> 00:01:17.400 Ah, brilliant. 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:20.180 So what age would you have been when he gave you that? 00:01:20.830 --> 00:01:21.670 Early twenties. 00:01:21.830 --> 00:01:22.370 Early twenties. 00:01:22.570 --> 00:01:26.730 It was a handy name when I was playing footy, I can tell you. Most people stayed away from me. 00:01:28.810 --> 00:01:36.420 Look, you've been involved in the club for over 50 years, and during that time you've seen, seen it all really. What would be some of your favourite moments? 00:01:36.420 --> 00:01:37.980 My favourite moments? 00:01:38.850 --> 00:01:39.470 A, great premiership. 00:01:39.810 --> 00:01:51.930 Great premierships, obviously. And the people that I've met along the journey, that's one of my favourite. I'm still pretty close to a lot of them from other clubs and whatnot. So that's probably my favourite things, the whole 50 odd years. 00:01:52.150 --> 00:02:05.650 Yep. As far as other clubs are concerned, you're a well-known identity around all the other grade clubs and have the unique habit that you might tell us of pre-ordering your alcohol at venues. Maybe just tell us that story. 00:02:05.650 --> 00:02:09.910 I started ringing clubs to make sure they had the right alcohol for me. 00:02:10.510 --> 00:02:13.090 And then the next thing I know, the clubs are ringing me. 00:02:14.870 --> 00:02:36.540 Well, your patronage is obviously well appreciated. Okay. Angry the player. You were a better than average pace bowler back in the day who could actually swing the ball. However, you had stiff competition to make A grade or first grade. Who were some of the quicks that stood in your way and how competitive you were in finding the whole environment? 00:02:36.540 --> 00:02:41.780 Pretty much Massie, Mullooly, Clark. They were all just a couple of years old. 00:02:41.800 --> 00:02:53.470 Older than me and in front anyway. And I think my social habits probably made sure I didn't play in the top side anyway because I had a reputation of not being A, myself, too good. 00:02:55.190 --> 00:02:57.080 Well, that probably hasn't changed a lot. 00:02:57.100 --> 00:02:57.660 No, it hasn't. 00:02:57.820 --> 00:03:00.560 No, it hasn't. So consistency is one of your assets. 00:03:00.720 --> 00:03:01.660 Yes, yes. 00:03:01.660 --> 00:03:12.360 In the twilight of your career, you joined me in the fours and we lived close by and I became your designated chauffeur. And a lifelong friendship was formed through that. 00:03:12.720 --> 00:03:13.620 They were good times. 00:03:13.960 --> 00:03:16.640 We played alongside Kevin Cox and Mark Jones 00:03:16.640 --> 00:03:18.280 and the Golden Greek, Tony Piliotis. 00:03:18.740 --> 00:03:20.480 Your pre-match routine was a bit unique. 00:03:21.320 --> 00:03:23.960 Would you like to explain what you used to make me do 00:03:23.960 --> 00:03:26.400 every Saturday when I picked you up? 00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:30.420 Is that pull into the bottle shop and pre-order a couple of King Browns 00:03:30.420 --> 00:03:31.260 right after the game? 00:03:31.460 --> 00:03:31.740 Yes. 00:03:32.280 --> 00:03:34.820 Well, I'm a bit worried some of them didn't last till after the game. 00:03:35.780 --> 00:03:38.660 Especially if we had to head down to Fremantle. 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:40.340 I might add one or two. 00:03:40.440 --> 00:03:41.080 And one or two. 00:03:41.740 --> 00:03:45.810 Look, you've mentioned people and you barely missed a game over the years. 00:03:46.190 --> 00:03:48.770 Who would some of your favourite players be over the time? 00:03:49.310 --> 00:03:50.650 Oh, that's hard. 00:03:51.550 --> 00:03:55.310 Well, I'm going to stay with A-Grey because I've played with a lot of guys 00:03:55.310 --> 00:03:58.090 and bloody hell, it's getting a bit long now. 00:03:58.390 --> 00:04:00.470 So, I don't know, Gary Ireland. 00:04:02.890 --> 00:04:05.250 I just loved everyone that played A-Grey. 00:04:05.250 --> 00:04:06.650 Well, everyone that played at the club. 00:04:06.890 --> 00:04:10.400 I never had a problem with anybody and it's hard to say who the favourites 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:12.280 because they come and go, you know, and you're just bloody... 00:04:12.820 --> 00:04:13.660 Yeah, but you don't come. 00:04:13.700 --> 00:04:13.980 You don't come and go.