Support for the South Sydney Rabbitohs stretches far and wide. You can find the infamous Cardinal and Myrtle almost anywhere on the planet. At the cricket, the Super Bowl, even on the backs of hikers climbing the stairs of Machu Picchu.
You can now add the small highway town of Capertree to that list courtesy of Rabbitohs supporter Richard Trounson’s effort in assembling his own South Sydney billboard out the front of his Capertree General Store and Café.
There wouldn’t be a billboard without backstory, and Richard’s is one which was passed down through his family with a twist.
“My father’s been a South’s supporter all his life, my brother, my sister the whole family,” said Richard.
“There’s a lot of Souths supporters in this area. There’s a guy in Tabulam called Darcy whose wife made him this big flag and I said oh geez don’t you think your wife could make me one and he said nah ya can’t cause he wanted to be the only one with a big flag sort of thing, so I got the banner made up.”
“When Darcy came in and saw that I said how you like me now! It’s a talking point. Everyone else says you should have a Manly flag up there, you should an Easts or this or whatever, well if want to pay 1500 bucks you can slide one in.”
Richard’s not alone in the country when it comes to his unwavering support for the club. One of his number one customers is former South Sydney player Brian James who donned the jersey on 79 occasions from 1966-69.
“Brian James used to play on the wing through the late 60s, he’s got a property up here and he comes in the shop here every day,” he said.
“We’re 80kms from Mudgee but there is a lot of Souths supporters here. Brian James he lives up there so we see his mates come up that he played with at Souths and Australian reps. They’re all in their seventies now and are really nice gentleman of the league.”
Situated on the Castlereagh Highway between Lithgow and Mudgee, Capertee is set to swarm with supporters from all over the region as the Charity Shield welcomes a near capacity crowd at Glen Willow Stadium.
For Richard, it’s a chance to for him to see his favourite stars in his own backyard. For those making the pilgrimage to the match it’s an opportunity for a hot coffee, a warm pie and photo in front of the South Sydney banner.
You can find the Capertree General Store and Café at 44 Castlereagh Hwy, Capertee NSW 2846.
