About

🖤 About The Woodsmen 🤍

For nearly five decades, The Woodsmen have stood proudly at the heart of the Collingwood Football Club — a name synonymous with passion, loyalty, and unwavering support for the black and white.

Established in 1975, The Woodsmen were one of the very first initiatives of newly elected President Ern Clarke, who recognised the importance of uniting Collingwood’s most dedicated supporters. Under the leadership of founding coordinator Bruce Patchell, 25 prominent businessmen and passionate Magpie fans came together to form what would become Collingwood’s longest-standing and most celebrated coterie.

The group’s purpose was simple yet powerful — to raise vital funds for the Club and provide unwavering support to its players. From the earliest days, members contributed through joining fees and annual subscriptions, as well as through major fundraising events such as the Banquet Auction, Grand Final dinners, and the legendary post-match gatherings beneath the Ryder Stand at Victoria Park. These events quickly became cornerstones of Collingwood’s social calendar — memorable occasions where generosity, friendship, and football pride came together.

Over the past 50 years, The Woodsmen have proudly contributed an estimated $10 million to the Collingwood Football Club — funds that have helped recruit new players, enhance player welfare programs, improve facilities, and strengthen the Club in countless ways.

Today, The Woodsmen remain a vital and active part of the Collingwood family. Beyond our role as a major source of fundraising, we are also deeply committed to supporting the Collingwood Past Players Association, of which we are the major sponsor. We believe strongly that a great football club must also be a great family, and that means looking after those who have worn the black and white before us.

Our goal is to help Collingwood establish and maintain the most respected and comprehensive past player program in the AFL — one that not only honours our Club’s history but helps attract new players by showing that Collingwood looks after its own, long after their playing days are done.

Our membership today is made up of business leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and lifelong supporters, all drawn together by a shared love of Collingwood and a desire to contribute to its ongoing success. The Woodsmen experience blends premium match-day hospitality with exclusive events and a sense of camaraderie that few clubs in Australian sport can match.

As we look to the future, our mission remains as strong as ever: to support our Club, to celebrate our players — past and present — and to carry forward the proud Collingwood tradition of unity, loyalty, and community.

🖤🤍 The Woodsmen — proudly Collingwood since 1975. 🤍🖤

Chairman’s Welcome

Since our founding in 1975, The Woodsmen have been proud to serve as the official Coterie of the Collingwood Football Club — a role that continues to drive our passion, purpose, and pride.

Our members represent a diverse and dynamic mix of Collingwood supporters — from business leaders and entrepreneurs to long-time fans — united by one shared goal: to give back to the Club we love and to make a lasting difference in its success on and off the field.

Being a Woodsman is about belonging to something bigger than football. It’s about friendship, generosity, and connection — celebrating together on match days and supporting one another off the field. It’s about upholding the Collingwood spirit, past, present, and future.

Our ongoing partnership with the Collingwood Past Players Association is something we are incredibly proud of. The Woodsmen are committed to helping Collingwood deliver the best past player program in the AFL — ensuring that those who have worn the black and white are always part of the Collingwood family. Supporting our past players not only honours our history — it strengthens our future, helping to attract and retain new talent who know that Collingwood looks after its own.

Through our exclusive events, match-day experiences, and community initiatives, The Woodsmen continue to champion the values that make Collingwood great — loyalty, connection, and an unbreakable passion for the game.

We invite you to join us and experience what it truly means to be part of The Woodsmen family — where every event, every match, and every moment celebrates the mighty Magpies.

Andrew Jones
Chairman, The Woodsmen
🖤🤍 Go Pies! 🤍🖤