Western Bulldogs fans dumped from cheer squad after combined 90 years service Long-time Bulldogs member David Porter outside Whitten Oval. Picture: Picture Ian Currie Source: News Limited A PAIR of Western Bulldogs tragics who have been the heart and soul of the club for almost 90 years combined have been dumped from the cheer squad for not putting enough bums on seats. Doggies cheer squad co-presidents David Porter and Gary Munn say they were given their marching orders by chief Simon Garlick on Wednesday despite both being life members of the AFL club. The Bulldogs on Thursday went into damage control, writing to members about an "exciting" restructure aimed at making the cheer squad "the loudest and most supportive" in the league. But Mr Munn, a cheer squad member of 50 years, and Mr Porter, a member for 37 years, said they been shown the door because the club wanted to take control of its fan base. Mr Porter said they were being punished for the Bulldogs' struggles on-field. "We've been blamed for people not going to the football when we were the ones there supporting the team when there was only four people in the cheer squad," he said. I'm gutted because the football and the cheer squad has been part of my life. Mr Munn, whose mum Margaret started the cheer squad, said he had been told he was "no longer required" despite years of service. "I won't be going to games any more," he said. It just wouldn't feel right. It's the way that they have done it that hurts. Griffen to captain the Bulldogs The letter to Bulldogs members said the club had conducted a review and found cheer squad membership had been in "continual decline" for three years and its cheer squad bay was "half-full" for most matches this year. The Bulldogs board has backed the restructure which will see the club appoint its own cheer squad leadership to oversee match day ­action, banner making, ticketing, communications and ­finances. Mr Garlick said the club had identified "a range of ­issues" with cheer squad leadership and wanted to get more families and young supporters involved. Nominations for a new cheer squad leadership group will be taken by the club.