1861 Chronology

 

Overview
Won 2, Lost 2, Goals For 4 , Goals Agst 3.
Captain: Colden Harrison
Leading Goal Kicker: G.M. Nicholls (2)
Uniform: Blue
Ground: Richmond Cricket Ground

Population: The Borough of Richmond approximately numbers 12,000 people.

April 27
The Melbourne Football Club decides not to amalgamate with the Richmond Football Club at its annual meeting.

May 18
RICHMOND 1 1
MELBOURNE 0 0
Goal: Nicholls
Richmond Cricket Ground
Richmond defeats Melbourne one goal to nil on the RCG.
Colden Harrison captain’s Richmond.
Most Richmond players wear a light blue uniform while Melbourne dons magenta.
The teams were chosen according to the “sides they take at cricket” because many players are members of both the Melbourne and Richmond clubs.
The annual dinner at the close of the cricket season is held at the Royal Hotel following the match.

June 8
MELBOURNE 1
RICHMOND 0
Melbourne’s Ground
Melbourne defeats Richmond one goal to nil on Melbourne’s ground north of the MCG.
The Herald, Thompson, corespondent complains that due to an influx of new players there is some confusion with the rules, particularly the one that limits when the ball may be picked up.

June 29
Bell’s Life in Victoria reports that the playing portion of the RCG is currently being enlarged by eleven yards on each side.

July 27
MELBOURNE 0 0
RICHMOND 1 2
Goals: Mason, Nicholls
Melbourne’s Ground
Richmond defeats Melbourne for the second time this season and thus claims the concluding match of a trio.
It is alleged that Richmond’s captain Colden Harrison recruited widely for the match and convinced some Melbourne players to play with Richmond.
The corespondent for Bell’s Life in Victoria states that, “there were no disputes during the day, as the rule which prohibits players from touching the ball with the hands except on the first bound, was not enforced.”
The Herald claimed there was a dispute over a William Hammersley (Richmond) shot at goal. Richmond claimed it, Melbourne did not and it was not awarded. Richmond’s “goal sneak” ___ Nicholls kicked the winner soon after.
A number of spectators crowded in the centre of the field and interfered with the play. Some were knocked over in the charges of the players.

Aug. 31
GEELONG 1 1 2
RICHMOND 0 1 1
Goal: D. Cameron
Argyle Ground

Richmond plays its first game outside Melbourne at Geelong. It is also Richmond’s first completed game against a team other than Melbourne.
Richmond loses the match one goal to two at Geelong’s Argyle ground. Geelong, having defeated Richmond, claims to be the “crack club of Victoria”.

Sept. 7
Bell’s Life in Victoria reports that Richmond had challenged Geelong to a rematch in Melbourne on September 14. It will not be entertained.

Dec. 26
H. H. Stephenson’s XI, the first English cricket team to tour Australia , trains on the RCG.

Club Office Bearers 1861
Captain Colden Harrison

Further Reading
First Richmond FC