From left to right Sue, Jenna, Frances and Therese Coyle by the No.7 locker carrying Charlie Fisher’s name.

Making the sentimental journey back to the old Carlton ground recently were four sisters who can rightly claim kindred links to two wonderful on-field servants of the old club’s past.

Pictured by the No.7 locker - once the property of Charlie Fisher, Joe Kelly, Wayne Johnston, Brett Ratten and now Jagga Smith - are from left to right, Sue, Jenna, Frances and Therese Coyle.

The Coyle sisters proudly declare their links with the aforementioned Fisher, Carlton’s 1914 and ’15 back-to-back Premiership player, former captain of 1919 and leading Club goalkicker in the same year.

From left to right Sue, Jenna, Frances and Therese Coyle by the No.7 locker carrying Charlie Fisher’s name.

Their mother, Patricia Coyle (nee Pobjoy) was the daughter of Catherine Raleigh, the sister of another former Carlton footballer Walter Raleigh. Catherine’s sister Mary married Charlie Fisher - which means Charlie was the girls’ great great uncle through marriage, hence their deep affinity for all things dark Navy.

“We were born into it,” said Frances of the Coyles’ lifelong commitment to Carlton, “and it was all because of Uncle Charlie. We were only young but we remember him in his later years. He was well-spoken and a gentleman. He also helped Mum get her first job at 15 at the Yakka factory in Brunswick.

“Because of him we followed Carlton. We were regulars here at the old ground, and we saw so many great Carlton wins through those glory years of the 1980s.”

Charlie Fisher in his playing days at Carlton.

The Coyles were interested participants in a recent Tour of Ikon Park – one of a number of sellout guided tours availed to Members and non-Members through September and October. They proudly shared their special ancestral connections to others on tour – for Charlie Fisher represented Carlton in 111 senior matches through eight seasons to 1921, and brother-in-law Walter Raleigh – “Sir Walter” as they warmly called him – turned out for the old dark Navy Blues in 32 senior appearances through 1920 and ’21.

“The tour was absolutely fantastic . . . if you get a chance, do it, do it, just to see what happens behind the scenes. It only cements your passion for the club,” Therese said.

“In returning to the old ground - the spiritual home - you feel a real presence just being there and you understand what it means to be a supporter. To be photographed at Uncle Charlie’s No.7 locker was a genuine highlight, and it was also nice to meet Brodie Kemp there.”