It's one of the most iconic and much loved signs always seen at Sea Eagles games.
The 'Push It Up Manly' sign has gone through many winters since its 'debut' on the famous 'Brookie Hill' back in 2007.
And just like its proud owners, Jake and Kelly Costa, it too has travelled far and away to be at Manly games, be it in Australia or overseas. It even made a special appearance at the couple's wedding in Las Vegas!
The extremely passionate and proud Manly Members share their tale about their love for the Sea Eagles.
WC: How did the ‘Push it Up Manly’ name and sign originate?
JC: “There was an Italian guy we met at Brookvale in 2006 named Lino. He just had a constant saying of ‘Push It Up’ when Manly were in defence. He just had this unique, infectious voice. It was great. He was constantly saying ‘Push it Up, Push It Up Manly, Push it Up’. By this point, everybody on the hill was yelling ‘Push It Up Manly’’ whenever the team did something. A year later (for the Manly-Souths finals game at Brookvale Oval), a guy named Phil got his Mum to make up the original ‘Push It Up’ sign. It was all pristine, this big white banner. Later on, Phil found it hard to get to Manly games because of university, so he gave me the sign as he knew we were at the matches. That was in 2008. We've been the proud owners of it since. It comes to every Manly game with us.
WC: Can you believe how popular the sign has become with fans across the game?
JC: I still don’t understand how it became this big. The one that blew me away was when a Canterbury supporter came over from the other side of the ground at ANZ Stadium for a photo with the sign. He said his mates dared him to get a photo, so me being the friendly guy I am, I handed it to him He was a little sheepish at first, but he loved it. The part I love is when kids come up and ask for a photo with the sign. They are so excited to get it.
KC: We get a lot of opposition fans asking for photos too. I love taking the sign to opposition grounds, especially the road trip to Canberra. That is where the sign travels most too for away games. I also remember Dragons fans in Wollongong asking can they have a photo with it. Nobody has ever whacked the sign or thrown drinks at it. Everyone is pretty respectful.
WC: One of the best things about the sign is the tremendous amount of signatures on it. It seems the Manly players, past and present, are more than happy to be a part of it?
JC: We started to get players to sign it after games and things like fan events in 2007. Some players, like Brett Stewart, have signed it a few times. He always points to his signatures when he sees it (laughs). There must be over 100 signatures. George Rose started a trend after games by putting his hands in a 'push it up' position. He loved it, big Georgie.
We had to 'retire' the original 'Push It Up Manly' sign in 2020. The sign had been at every game, rain hail or shine. It was beginning to get dirty and the rain was starting to wash signatures away. Some of those signatures I can’t get again.
I said to Kelly to let’s just leave it now and not do another one. But so many Manly fans we spoke too encouraged us to do another 'Push It Up Manly' sign, so it's 'little brother' was created. I wanted Daly Cherry-Evans to be the first player to sign it. Being our captain, I have a ton of respect for ‘Chez’. The original sign made a special guest appearance for our trip to Auckland as the old one folds really nicely compared to the new one.
WC: A new sign also means a new home for it at 4 Pines Park. You have now moved your membership to the Bob Fulton Stand?
JC: For many years, we were on the hill but we both now prefer the comfort of the new Bob Fulton Stand. The sign was pretty much shown on every Fox game when we were on the hill. My Mum and Dad often joked how they didn't see see me that much in winter but knew I was doing okay because they saw me on TV (laughs). We both love Brookie. Kelly loves it that much she has her lunch each weekday in the Lyons-Menzies Stand as she works across the road from 4 Pines Park.
WC: Jake, the ‘Push It Up Manly’ sign also featured on your wedding day in Las Vegas after you proposed to Kelly at the 2011 Grand Final.
JC: I always going to propose but I just didn’t know when. When Jamie Lyon scored that try against the Warriors to secure the premiership win, I knew it was the right time, so I asked Kelly then. I had a little stormtrooper/Star Wars ring (laughs) on me. For the actual ring, I went to (former Manly sponsor) Dracakis in Brookvale. I designed her ring in maroon and white colours. There was no other choice.
KC: I love the ring. We agreed the wedding had to be in the off-season. I didn’t want a big (Italian) wedding, so we were always going to get married overseas. I chose the date of January 8, 2013, as Jake is a huge Elvis nut.
JC: We got married on a Tuesday at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. I’ve always loved that Chapel. We took the ‘Push It Up’ sign to the famous ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign and had a photo taken in our wedding clothes with Manly scarves around us too. People were honking their cars as they went past. It was classic.
When I look back on it, it all could have gone the other way. I grew up in North Sydney Bears territory in Willoughby. My Dad, Joe, bought a pizza shop at Manly Wharf called La Casa, and the great Bob Fulton used to go to it often. I used to go to the shop a lot and because of 'Bozo', Dad became a Manly supporter, so naturally I followed him. I often think if Dad hadn't of bought that place and Bob didn't go there and Dad doesn’t follow Manly, I don’t meet Kelly. It’s funny how it works out.”
Member Feature: Raymond's love for Sea Eagles stretches to Canada
