In October I turn 21. If you count back, that would mean I was born in October of 1982, meaning (you guessed it) I was a few weeks off seeing Richmond play in a Grand Final. As it happens, It's never happened in my lifetime. But that doesn't mean I don't have my memories from the RFC.
My old man was a Demon supporter through and through. He played footy at Doncaster and was a reasonable player. The greatest day in his life, as his stories recall, was the day he received a card in the mail. It was a card from the Richmond Football Club, one which he has to this very day. It was an invitation to come down and train with the club. In a second, he changed loyalties from Melbourne to Richmond. I can tell he still loves to talk about those days, which is good because his stories are all I have to go on. It was in the late 60's, many years before I was born.
He recalls with passion his days training with the Richmond seniors, reserves, and playing with the under 19s. He tells that they used to go through a running test every now and then. You'd have to run a certain distance (say, 10km) in a certain time. And if you didn't make it, you did it again and again until you made it in the time give. He laughed about the ideaology, "I mean, if you don't make it the first time, you're sure as hell not going to make it the next time..." One day he didn't make the distance in the time given, but fought like hell to get there the second time (and surprisingly made it).
He never played footy for Richmond Seniors, which is a pity. He used to be a great player. He played a few games for the Tiger Reserves before he was outted with a knee injury. He then faced the prospect of either continuing on and risking further, more permanent injury, or going overseas with his wife. For my sake, it's probably better he chose what he did, to go overseas with my mother. Nevertheless, I would've been unspeakably proud to say my dad was a Richmond player.
Anyway, his knees are fine these days, many many years later, for which his is fortunate. He says he has no real regrets in life, although he speaks quite fondly of his time at Tigerland.
He's been a Richmond fan ever since getting that invite back in the 60s. I still recall being told this many a time by my dad; "Look, you can support whoever you want. It's entirely your choice. But if you ever want to actually watch a VFL (/ AFL) game, you'll be a Tiger." At that point, I figured I should be a Tiger fan, and have been so ever since, as are all my brothers (he obviously did a good job)
At times, I feel like I'm a more passionate Tiger supporter than anyone out there. But I know they come more passionate than I. My old man never made it to Richmond Seniors, but I couldn't be prouder of anyone than I am of him. Thanks for the good times dad...
TS.
My old man was a Demon supporter through and through. He played footy at Doncaster and was a reasonable player. The greatest day in his life, as his stories recall, was the day he received a card in the mail. It was a card from the Richmond Football Club, one which he has to this very day. It was an invitation to come down and train with the club. In a second, he changed loyalties from Melbourne to Richmond. I can tell he still loves to talk about those days, which is good because his stories are all I have to go on. It was in the late 60's, many years before I was born.
He recalls with passion his days training with the Richmond seniors, reserves, and playing with the under 19s. He tells that they used to go through a running test every now and then. You'd have to run a certain distance (say, 10km) in a certain time. And if you didn't make it, you did it again and again until you made it in the time give. He laughed about the ideaology, "I mean, if you don't make it the first time, you're sure as hell not going to make it the next time..." One day he didn't make the distance in the time given, but fought like hell to get there the second time (and surprisingly made it).
He never played footy for Richmond Seniors, which is a pity. He used to be a great player. He played a few games for the Tiger Reserves before he was outted with a knee injury. He then faced the prospect of either continuing on and risking further, more permanent injury, or going overseas with his wife. For my sake, it's probably better he chose what he did, to go overseas with my mother. Nevertheless, I would've been unspeakably proud to say my dad was a Richmond player.
Anyway, his knees are fine these days, many many years later, for which his is fortunate. He says he has no real regrets in life, although he speaks quite fondly of his time at Tigerland.
He's been a Richmond fan ever since getting that invite back in the 60s. I still recall being told this many a time by my dad; "Look, you can support whoever you want. It's entirely your choice. But if you ever want to actually watch a VFL (/ AFL) game, you'll be a Tiger." At that point, I figured I should be a Tiger fan, and have been so ever since, as are all my brothers (he obviously did a good job)
At times, I feel like I'm a more passionate Tiger supporter than anyone out there. But I know they come more passionate than I. My old man never made it to Richmond Seniors, but I couldn't be prouder of anyone than I am of him. Thanks for the good times dad...
TS.
