1873 Chronology

Captains: Tom Kendall, Walter Compton
Vice Captain: Walter Compton
Leading Goal Kicker: Robert Mitchell (3)

May 3
The Australasian reports that Richmond handed the Junior Football Club Challenge Cup to the family of Fred Hyde as a token of the respect with which he was held. It also reports that Tom Kendall had succeeded Fred Hyde as captain and Walter Compton was elected vice captain.
Dr. Louis L. Smith was elected Richmond’s president and R.___ Fergie vice president. Joe Osborne was elected secretary and Walter Compton the club’s treasurer.

May __ The Richmond Standard Football Club is founded.

May 10
Richmond 0
East Melbourne 0
Richmond Paddock

May 17
Southern 1
Richmond 0
Fawkner Park

May 24
The Leader reports that Richmond’s president, Dr. Louis L. Smith is to donate three prizes for “the best all-round play” during the 1873 season.

May 31
MELBOURNE (18) 4
Richmond 0
Melbourne’s Ground
Melbourne’s “knickerbocker” uniform is debuted against Richmond. It is the first time such an outfit is used in Victorian football.

June 7
North Melbourne 3
Richmond 0
Royal Park
Walter Compton is named as Richmond’s captain for its game against North Melbourne in Royal Park. It seems that he will hold the position for the remainder of the season.

June 14
Richmond 2
East Melbourne 0
Goals: R. Mitchell, Osbourne
Richmond Paddock

Richmond 2nds - Carlton Union 2nds -

June 21
Richmond’s game against Carlton (18 players) at Royal Park is postponed because Richmond were unable to gather a team.

June 28
Studley Park (18) 0
Richmond (18) 6
Goals: R. Mitchell (2), Bruce, Harcourt, Jerrems, Osbourne
Studley Park
Richmond kicks a club record six goals against Studley Park at Studley Park. Both teams fielded 18 players
Bob Mitchell becomes the first Richmond player to kick two goals in a match.

July 5
Richmond 1
Collingwood 0
Goal: Bagge
Richmond Paddock
Collingwood’s captain Thomas Kneen leads his team from the field during its match against Richmond. He was indignant after his objections to umpire T. Reeves (a Richmond player) were allegedly ignored.
Collingwood plays the first half with 21 men to Richmond’s 19.

July 12
MELBOURNE (18) 0
Richmond 0
Melbourne’s Ground

July 19
Richmond 0
Southern 0
Richmond Paddock
Richmond draw with Southern nil all at Richmond Paddock (Yarra Park). Three of Richmond’s attempts at goal were called “over the posts” by the umpire.

July 26
St. Kilda 2
Richmond 0
St. Kilda’s Ground
A letter from Richmond captain Walter Compton is published in the Australasian. He is responding to an open letter from Collingwood’s Thomas Kneen (July 19 Australasian) that relate to the events of July 5.
St. Kilda kicks two second half goals to defeat Richmond in the first game between the clubs.

Aug. 2 Richmond’s scheduled game against Melbourne’s 2nds is postponed as Melbourne is unable to raise a team. Richmond plays a scratch game instead.

Aug. 9
Richmond 1
Local Forces 0
Goal: ? Mitchell
Richmond Paddock

Aug. 16
Richmond 0
East Melbourne 1
Richmond Paddock
Richmond’s game against East Melbourne is terminated abruptly when, “... the wind blew with such violence it absolutely carried the ball away”.

Aug. 17 Dick Wardill, a former player and secretary of the first Richmond Football Club drowns in the Yarra. He committed suicide after his embezzling was discovered.

Aug.23 Richmond is scheduled to play Studley Park in Richmond Paddock.

Aug. 30
Richmond 0
North Melbourne 0
Richmond Paddock
Richmond draw with North Melbourne on Richmond’s ground alongside Wellington Parade.
A melee stopped play for some time in the second half. It was prompted by Richmond’s G. Tout who allegedly kicked North’s Murray in response to being brought to ground moments earlier. The North Melbourne Advertiser’s correspondent will be indignant at Richmond’s rough style of play and the intimidation of the North players by larrikins within the Richmond crowd.

Sept. 6
Richmond and East Melbourne combine for a match against Melbourne (19 players) on the Melbourne ground. Melbourne kicks a goal in the second half to defeat the combine one goal to nil.

Sept. 20
Local Forces 1
Richmond 0
Local Forces’ Ground

Oct. 4
Richmond is scheduled to play the senior club Albert Park (18 players) in Albert Park.

Colours: In 1913 Harry Stillman associated the Richmond Cricket Club’s adoption of the yellow and black colours with the tour of W. G. Grace’s English XI in the summer of 1873-1874.

Club Office Bearers 1873
President Dr. Lewis Lawrence Smith
Vice President R. Fergie
Secretary Joe Osborne
Treasurer Walter Compton
Committee Tom Kendall, Ben Marsh, George Bruce, Kirkpatrick, McKenzie
Captains Tom Kendall, Walter Compton
Vice Captain Walter Compton