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Updated: 27/09/2009

Western Bulldogs

The Bulldogs were formed in 1883 and were initially called the imperials after the British Royal Family. They were later called the tricolours after their patriotic colours of red, white and blue. They won eight VFA premierships and in 1925, along with Hawthorn and North Melbourne, were admitted to the VFL.

Success was not as frequent in the new competition and Footscray, now known as the Bulldogs, won their one and only flag in 1954.

The Captain-Coach was Charlie Sutton and the team included "Mr Football", Ted Whitten who led them to their only other grand final appearance in 1961.

In 1982 a cover was issued showing their pre-centenary logo.

Footscray's home ground has been the Western Oval in the Western Suburbs, which was changed to Whitten Oval after Whitten's death.

The AFL Centenary Cover below shows the Footscray Peel and Stick Stamp with the Footscray Football Club Permanent Pictorial Postmark (PMP 632) introduced on 23rd April 1996. Approximately 50 covers were cancelled on the first day of introduction.

1996 Eagles AFL Centenary Cover

The Bulldogs chose Ted Whitten on the cover of their stamp Booklet and Chris Grant on their Postcard and maximum card.

Footscray after a poor season both on and off the field in 1996 looked for a change of fortunes by trying to attract more members and sponsors by changing their name to the Western Bulldogs and by playing their home games at Optus Oval rather than the Whitten Oval. The plan was threatened with legal action until a truce was declared until the end of the season.

Australia Post mimicked the change in name by withdrawing the old postmark (PMP 632) on the 27th March 1997. The new postmark (PMP 670) is dated the 1st April 1997, the first working day after the Easter Break. The New Pictorial PM was released with a set of Legend Players including Ted Whitten, John Schultz, George Bissett, Chris Grant, Gary Dempsey, Kelvin Templeton and Allan Hopkins.

1996 Eagles AFL Centenary Cover

1997 turned out to be a major turn around for the club with the Bulldogs finishing 3rd after being 15th in 1996. They have not missed out on the finals since. From the year 2000 they moved their home ground to Colonial Stadium.

On the 7th 2000 March 2000 the inaugural meeting of the "Premiership Players Club" was held at the MCG to help raise funds for charity. One Footscray player was included in the 20 players pictured on the A4 sheet of 20 P stamps of the millennium issue. He was Jack Collins. The stamps were also displayed on a set of 20 first day covers by Havilah Enterprises.

The 25th May 2000 marked  the release of club and individual 2000 Personalised Stamps.

On the 28th March 2001 the second annual  meeting of the "Premiership Players Club" was held at the MCG to help raise funds for charity. One Bulldog player was included in the 20 players pictured on the A4 sheet of 20 P stamps of the globe and map issue. He was Charlie Sutton. The stamps were also displayed on a set of 20 first day covers by Havilah Enterprises.

The 30th March 2001 saw the release of the 2001 Personalised Stamps. The Bulldogs had a poor season finishing tenth.

On the 27th March 2002 the third annual  meeting of the "Premiership Players Club" was held at the MCG to help raise funds for charity. One Bulldog player was included in the 20 players pictured on the A4 sheet of 20 P stamps of the sand, sea and sky overlaid by the Southern Cross issue. He was Doug Reynolds. The stamps were also displayed on a set of 20 first day covers by First Class Collectables.

On the 4th April 2002 the Footscray Football Club, in association with the Western Bulldogs, at a gala dinner at the Crown Palladium announced there Team of the Century. Chris Grant, Brad Johnson and Tony Liberatore were the only current players.

On the 15th May 2002 the 2002 Personalised Stamps were released.

The Bulldogs finished out of the eight in 12th position. There season was plagued with continual talk of financial problems. On the weekend of 27-28 July 2002 Tony Liberatore retired after a long career. A cover by First Class Collectibles was released to commemorate his retirement.

The Annual Premiership Players Club P stamp Sheet of 20 players was released on the 26th March 2003. The Bulldogs player featured was Ron Stockman. On the 22nd April 2003 the 2003 Personalised Stamps were released. On the 7 July 2003 at the Regent Theatre Ballroom 5 players were inducted into the AFL Hall Of Fame. One was Footsctay's Arthur Olliver. Rohan Smith made the All Australian Team.

2003 was a disaster with the Dogs loosing their Captain in the first game, for the season. They won the wooden spoon.

In mid April the 2004 Personalised Stamps were released. This year they were a booklet of 20 stamps showing 10 players, rather than the A4 sheet. Wally Donald  was included in the 20 players of the "Premiership Players Club". Scott West made the All Australian Team.

On the 1st April 2005 the Western Bulldogs booklet of the 2005 Personalised Stamps was released. On the weekend commencing 29th July 2005 Brad Johnson played his 250th game for the Western Bulldogs. Commemorative Covers showing Johnson were released by First Class Collectables. They also issued covers  to commemorate the Best and Fairest winners including Scott West.

On the 20th March 2006 the Bulldogs booklet of the 2006 Personalised Stamps was released. Round 16 was the Heritage Round with clubs wearing jumpers from a previous era. Onlycovers released a cover for each club including the Western Bulldogs FC. On the 5th August 2006 a cover commemorating Chris Grant's record 330 games for the Western Bulldogs was released.

2007 was a rebuilding year with the plugging of holea with players like Jason Akermanis. The 2007 Personalised Stamps were issued in booklet form. The 2008 and 2009 seasons were more successful with the dogs making the preliminary Final each year. The 2008 Personalised Stamps and 2009 Personalised Stamps were issued as cover packs.