Always been a Pies fan but you genuinely can't beat watching the footy with your friends (only if they are also Pies supporters) xxx

It was 1999 and I'd just undergone my first knee reconstruction thanks to a netball injury. I was 16 years old from a small country town in North Eastern Victoria and my family and I (all die hard Collingwood supporters) had travelled down to tour Victoria Park. We were lead to the gym where we found then current player Lee Walker doing rehab for one of his many knee injuries. He took time out of his program to talk me through and show me different exercises to aid in my recovery. He spent a good half an hour chatting to me and my family. It meant so much to me and we all still talk about what a lovely bloke he was. At 43 years old now I have many a Magpie memory, the highs and the lows, being witness to grand final wins and losses, the last game at Victoria Park, chasing my idol Nathan Buckley around during footy clinics, my mum driving us three hours on a Thursday afternoon to be part of the meat pie and signing nights at Vic Park, and to now watching Darcy Moore, Fly and the boys engage so enthusiastically and positively with my kids at training (both mad Magpies now too). Forever proud to be part of the Magpie family.

My Magpie Army Moment started a generation ago in the 1960s when my late father sang at the Collingwood Football Club. Born in 1969 I have been, along with my two siblings and now my four children, a lifelong Magpie supporter. I love the passion, side by side and how my entire family comes together to support and celebrate the Pies - even from New Zealand, I'm watching every game live and connecting with my two adult children who attend matches in Melbourne. It's a highlight of my week - we enjoy being part of a club who acknowledge and appreciate their fans, do their absolute best every week to entertain, delight and inspire their members - Go Pies!