Isn't it weird? I have so many emotions running around inside my head regarding Jack Dyer, yet a suitable opening sentence fails me.
I suppose I will start with my condolences to the Dyer family, the Richmond Football Club, Jack's friends, and also the football public.
I am an avid Richmond supporter and have been since i was born in 1976. I've grown up like so many other Tiger supporters of my age, listening to stories of the "good old days", and the names that make Tigerland folklore so addictive. My Grandfather was a passionate man, a man who never held back when he told a yarn from when he was a boy, and the look he had in his eyes showed an emotion that i wish could be bottled and sold.
Footage of the old football games from the early years through till the forties was very limited, so my stories of Jack Dyer and his "boys" were relayed by my grandfather. he would tell me how he used to go to Punt Road and watch the great Dyer roam around the field, and would describe his hits on other players as "inspiring". Obviously, this was from a Richmond supporters point of view. Thanks to my Grandfather's stories, and publicised tales in the press and media, I have an amazing image of the man they called "Captain Blood".
I now live in Richmond, and I often walk down to training trying to imagine life back in the "Good old days" It warms my heart to know that such a heroic figure, within the club I love, also used to walk these exact same streets. I can have a beer in the same pub in Lennox Street that Dyer used to, and look at the big picture of him on the wall, and feel proud that he was on our side.
It takes a certain person to carry their status in legend and folklore through so many generations, yet Dyer has done it effortlessly. When I try to explain why I love the Richmond Football Club, I simply have to explain the history and culture of the place, and I too show that same emotion in my eyes that my grandfather showed. I love listening to the tales regarding the history of the Richmond Football Club, and have often said that the one person in the world I would love to spend a weekend with would be Jack Dyer.
Even though I never met Jack Dyer, I strongly believe that I know him. While i will always continue to follow the Richmond Football Club, it saddens me that our Immortal is no longer with us, but hopefully now his legend will become even greater. If you know the emotion that was in my grandfathers eyes, and you too have the same passion for the Tigers, then I know you know what I'm talking about.
When hearing the news of Jacks passing on Saturday I was visibly upset. I cried, totally saddened by what I'd just heard. I can't thank the press and media enough for everything in regards to Jack Dyer, for allowing people who never did meet Jack, to even more so, feel like they did. I would also like to congratulate the Cheersquad on what was a truly wonderful banner, and a great effort. You should all be very proud.
Jack, I will say thankyou for the memories, tales, photo's and culture that you have left behind, not only at Tigerland, but also throughout the rest of the Football World. I have never been more proud than right now to be a Richmond supporter, and from the bottom of my heart, "May you rest in piece Big fella."
