Jersey the jewel in sports fanatic’s lounge

Charlie Voight with his large Otago jersey. Photo: Peter McIntosh.
Charlie Voight with his large Otago jersey. Photo: Peter McIntosh.
Charlie Voight just bleeds blue and gold.

Go to his house and enter what he calls the sports lounge — not a man cave — and he has sporting memorabilia of all shapes and sizes.

From boxing photos to signed pictures, Voight has it all, but pride of place is a big, and bright Otago jersey.

The gold jersey is a double XL size which was used in a  special game when the Otago union celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2006.

One team wore blue jerseys with a gold trim while the other, which is what Voight has, is a gold jersey with a blue trim.

He obtained the jersey through former Otago halfback Haagen East.

Voight has set about getting the jersey signed by as many former Otago players as possible and as many Otago All Blacks as he could.

At the moment the jersey had just over 100 signatures on it with 39 Otago All Blacks having signed the jersey.

They range from the likes of Ben Smith to Earle Kirton. When former All Blacks and Otago players come to town Voight (67)  attempts to get them to come up to his house and sign the jersey.

He is still hunting the likes of Mike Brewer, Taine Randell and Dean Kenny.

Voight said the jersey was something to be proud of.

His favourite Otago player was halfback Chris Laidlaw although he said there were many great  players  through the years, and that would continue.

"You could talk about all the good players right through the years. We have had some great players down here."

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