If there was a Richter Scale for Carlton passion then David Watson’s would be way off it - for few could truly say their love of the old dark Navy Blues was as seismic as his.
Watson and his wife Sharane are the keepers of the Carlton bus upon which the famed CFC monogram is emblazoned.
Just as Shirley Partridge ferried her musical family from gig to gig aboard the multi-coloured ’57 Chevrolet, Watson and his better half burn up thousands of kilometres of bitumen in their 1986 Mitsubishi Fuso - for the past three years their much-cherished mobile home and Carlton shrine.
Why Carlton? “I’ve been a Carlton supporter for many years,” came the Watson reply. “It was all because of Greg Williams, I loved the way he played.”
On purchasing his wheels in Perth’s Swan Valley back in 2012, Watson went for the Carlton livery with the help of the clan.
“I got the kids to source the logo and my daughter-in-law painted it on for me. It’s been there for the best part of three years and they did a great job of that,” said 53 year-old Watson, who originally hails from the Huon Valley in Tasmania.
“We’ve taken the bus to Patrick Cripps country beyond Geraldton, to Port Hedland a couple of times, and to Carnarvon. I’ve taken it to Carlton games in Perth, and it’s amazing how many Blues fans come over to admire it – mind you there’s a few who give me the finger because of it also.”
Watson duly fitted his bus out with all the mod cons (the bus only seats seven passengers now) and festooned the windows with posters of Chris Judd and co., along with ancillary items of Carlton memorabilia.
Three generations of Carlton supporters - David Watson Snr, David Jr, Gus and Indigo. (Photo: Supplied)
Watson’s wagon was this week spotted in Mandurah, 72 kilometres south of Perth, by rabid Carlton member Jackie Atwell who took the car park pic and put this reporter in touch with the man in question and his magic bus.
Though the bus tends to keep to the highways and byways of Australia’s west, it might soon be making a cameo at an inner-Melbourne football venue near you.
As Watson said: “It hasn’t happened yet, but I intend to drive the bus across the Nullabor within the next year or two. That’s the plan”.
If you know of a story that rivals David Watson’s Carlton bus for depth of passion for all things Blue, then please contact the club on 03) 9389 6241
