1887 Chronology
Overview
Position (unofficial): Seventh
Won 8, Drew 3, Lost 8, Goals For 63, Goals Agst 70.
Captain: Jack Stewart
Vice Captain: Chris Syle
Leading Goal Kicker: Alfred Hill (11 - RFC records)
Revenue: 237 pounds 13s. 7d. Credit Balance: 13 pounds 2s. 5d.
Membership: 282.5
Rules: A bounce in place of a throw is used to begin the second, third and fourth quarters. A kick off still begins the game.
March
Thr. 24
At Richmond’s annual meeting Charles W. Cupit replaces James Charles as secretary, John Egan replaces Clovis Mainon as treasurer and George H. Bennett replaces John C. Winn as president.
George Smith is presented with a silver mounted pickle urn because as former president John C. Winn states he had “endeavoured to uphold the dignity of the club in every respect”.
April
Saturday 23
Non-Premiership
Richmond 3-3 lost to Rich. Juniors (23) 6-12 at Richmond Cricket Ground.
Known Goalkickers: Graham (1), Goodwin (1) , Owen (1).
"None of the barrackers were in a position to supply many names, hence their absence...It was explained that as it was the opening match, the players were as yet unfamiliar to onlookers."
Richmond’s new yellow and black vertically striped uniform is debuted against Richmond Juniors at the RCG. The crowd numbers 400 to 500 people.
It is suggested that Williamstown FC were considering a guernsey change to that of yellow and black vertically striped and claimed priority
Sat. 30
Non-Premiership
RICHMOND 0-1 1-3 2-7 3-8
PORT MELB. 1-2 2-5 2-7 8-11
Goals: Stephens (2), D. Elder
Richmond Cricket Ground attendance: 7,000
Richmond 2nds 2-3 Port Melb. 2nds 4-17
A RCG record crowd of 7,000 watches Richmond play Port Melbourne. Port won the game but as it was played in April it could not be considered for the premiership.
Port included expelled Richmond players Tom Graham and Harry Layton in their team.
May
Sat. 7
GEELONG 2-4 6-8 6- 9-18
RICHMOND 0-2 0-4 1- 1-5
Goal: Reddan (Hill - The Sportsman)
Corio Cricket Ground attendance: 2,500 - 3,000
Richmond players and supporters travel to Geelong on a special train. The chartering of the train will prove a financial failure for the club.
Richmond 2nds - Melbourne 2nds -
Sat. 14
ESSENDON 2-1 3-1 5-7 6-10
RICHMOND 0-0 2-2 2-2 2-3
Goals: O’Loughlin, Syle
East Melbourne Cricket Ground attendance: 2,000
At half time of the Richmond v. Essendon game an Essendon delegate tries to “induce” the central umpire to “alter his decisions”.
Former Richmond player Fred Wookey makes his debut as a senior field umpire for the Prahran v. Carlton game at Wesley College. Unfortunately his performance is so unsatisfactory that at the request of the secretaries of both clubs he retires from the game at half time.
Richmond 2nds 2-6 Essendon 2nds 3-6
Sat. 21
Charlie Stephens represents Victoria against Southern Tasmania on the MCG.
Richmond 2nds - University 2nds -
Tue. 24
RICHMOND 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-3
CARLTON 1-4 4-5 4-5 5-11
Goal: Stephens
Richmond Cricket Ground attendance: 5,000
Sat. 28
Richmond 2nds - Hotham 2nds -
June
Sat. 4
WILLIAMSTOWN 1- 3- 4- 5-6
RICHMOND 2-0 2-0 3-0 4-0
Goals: Boyd, Hill, ????, ????
Garden’s Reserve attendance: 1,200
Richmond 2nds 0-6 Parkside 1-4
Sat. 11
RICHMOND 1- 1-6 - 2-12
FOOTSCRAY 0- 1-1 - 2-3
Goals: Hill, Waller
Richmond Cricket Ground
Richmond 2nds - North Brunswick -
Seconds: Richmond’s second twenty disbands in mid June.
Sat. 18
RICHMOND 1-2 2-2 2- 2-7
STH. WILL’TOWN 0-0 1-3 1-3 2-3
Goals: Syle, Lee
Richmond Cricket Ground attendance: 2,000
Tue. 21
Non-Premiership
RICHMOND 0- 1-16 1- 4-
WILLIAMSTOWN 2- 2- 3- 4-
Goals: ????, ????, ????, ????
Richmond Cricket Ground
Richmond’s game against Williamstown was played on a public holiday to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. Such Jubilee games will not be considered for the premiership.
In 1919 Football Record references that prior to viewing the Rd 18 1919 match vs Carlton, 'Jack Stewart and Billy Bicknell were recalling the Richmond and Williamstown match on Jubilee Day 1887 when Jack as captain of Richmond carried Tot Fitzpatrick , skipper of Williamstown, on his back to inspect the flooded ground.
Sat. 25
RICHMOND 0-4 0-7 1-9 2-14
PRAHRAN 0-0 1-1 1-2 4-2
Goals: O’Loughlin, ????
Richmond Cricket Ground attendance: 3,000
July
Sat. 9
RICHMOND 1- 4-1 4- 4-11
ST. KILDA 1- 1-4 1- 2-5
Goals: Hill, Morton, Reddan, Syle
Richmond Cricket Ground
Richmond wins its first premiership game of 1887. Until it defeated St. Kilda it had suffered five losses and had two draws.
Sat. 16
UNIVERSITY 0- 1- 1- 1-2
RICHMOND 1-2 2- 4- 4-11
Goals: O’Loughlin (2), Dunne, Hill
University Cricket Ground
Richmond’s third goal against University is its 100th in premiership competition.
Sat. 23
RICHMOND 2-5 3-8 4- 5-16
WILLIAMSTOWN 0-0 0-2 1-2 1-2
Goals: Morton (3), Boyd, Reddan
Richmond Cricket Ground
The Richmond v. Williamstown game is delayed half an hour because Williamstown players demur to turn out due to the Richmond Cricket Ground’s condition.
Sat. 30
RICHMOND 2-1 2-1 2-3 2-3
FITZROY 0-0 2-1 2-1 2-3
Goals: Morton (2)
Richmond Cricket Ground
August
Sat. 6
ST. KILDA - 1-3 - 3-7
RICHMOND - 4-6 - 6-8
Goals: Morton (2), Boyd, Eldridge, O’Loughlin, Reddan
St. Kilda Cricket Ground
Richmond’s six goals against St. Kilda is a club record.
Sat. 13
RICHMOND 4-6 4-6 5- 5-9
STH. WILL’TOWN 1-0 1-0 3-0 4-0
Goals: Hill, Salton, D. P. Smith, W. Stewart, Syle
Richmond Cricket Ground
On this day and possibly in preceding weeks some spectators gained access to the RCG with forged tickets.
Sat. 20
RICHMOND 1-8 1-10 2-11 3-14
ESSENDON 0-0 1-7 2-8 4-9
Goals: Boyd, O’Loughlin, Syle
Richmond Cricket Ground
Fred Wookey returns for one game as a Richmond player against Essendon. Another footballer-cum-umpire Paddy McShane plays for Essendon.
The Richmond Drum and Fife Band entertain the RCG crowd.
Tuesday 23
Richmond Football Club are one of many clubs supporting a Grand Complimentary Benefit for the dramatist George Darrell
Sat. 27
FITZROY 0-5 1-5 1-8 2-9
RICHMOND 0-1 0-5 1-6 1-10
Goal: Dunne
Fitzroy Cricket Ground
September
Sat. 3
PORT MELB. 3-7 3-7 8-14 10-14
RICHMOND 0-0 1-3 1-4 1-6
Goal: D. P. Smith
Port Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sat. 10
STH. WILL’TOWN 0-0 0-2 0-4 0-6
RICHMOND 2-7 3-8 4-14 5-17
Goals: D. P. Smith (2), Boyd, Eldridge, Syle
Williamstown Cricket Ground
Sat. 17
FOOTSCRAY 0-0 4-3 4-3 5-4
RICHMOND 3-6 3-6 8-11 8-11
Goals: Boyd (2), Hill (2), Syle (2), Banner, D. P. Smith
Western Reserve attendance: 500
Richmond’s eight goals against Footscray is a new club record.
Sat. 24
PRAHRAN 0-0 2-1 - 3-4
RICHMOND 1-3 3-3 5-10 5-10
Goals: D. P. Smith (2), Stephens, ????, ????
Wesley College Cricket Ground attendance: 1,500
Richmond’s last game of the season against Prahran at Wesley College is abandoned early. The game was rough and Prahran’s J. Lorraine was forced to leave the ground in the first half with a broken collar bone. An angry and violent crowd encroached on the playing space regularly during the second half and often interrupted the play. A Prahran supporter picked up a stick during the last quarter and hurled it at a Richmond player. The picket struck Prahran’s Jim “Jigger” Moorhouse in the face, felling him and causing the ground invasion which precipitated the termination of the match. Richmond players are stoned on their departure and one cab driver uses his whip to keep Prahran barrackers at bay.