1899 Chronology

Position: Sixth
Won 8, Lost 13, For 655, Against 909.
Captains: Billy Clarke, Tom Watson
Vice Captain: Tom Watson
Leading Goal Kicker: Hector Milne (16)
Revenue: 126 pounds 7s. 5d. Credit Balance: 1 pounds5 9s. 9d.
Membership: 167

Clubs: Prahran and West Melbourne enter the VFA competition this year.

March
Mon. 27
John Egan, Richmond’s treasurer, announces his intention to retire. Percy Sevier will soon replace him.

April
Sat. 29
Richmond plays its first (practice) game against a League club. Fitzroy 10-26 (86) defeats Richmond 1-3 (9) at Fitzroy.
Richmond entered the playing arena five minutes before Fitzroy.
It took 10 minutes for Richmond to take their ball over the centre line.
Richmond were goalless for the first 3 quarters and scoreless for 2nd and 3rd quarters.
0.1 / 0.1 / 0.1 / 1.3 were the quarter time scores.

May
Sat. 6
Prahran plays its first game against Richmond on Toorak Park.

Sat. 13
Port Melbourne plays a former Richmond player (Jackson) against Richmond without a permit. Port won the game and although Richmond protested the result it would be allowed to stand.

Mon. 24
Mark Pope, “an old player” officiates Richmond’s game against Brunswick at the RCG because the appointed umpire did not show up.

June
Sat. 17 Richmond defeats Prahran by two points at the RCG, 2-15 (27) to 3-7 (25). Prahran’s Denholm had a goal disallowed because the umpire had awarded a free kick to Richmond.
Sat. 24 Some Richmond players are absent for its game at Port Melbourne.

July
Sat. 1
Against North Melbourne on a sodden RCG Richmond’s Jack Tate was injured ten minutes before time. As he was being taken from the ground spectators rushed the field and commotion ensued. The game recommenced after a ten minute interval.
Hector Milne plays his first game for Richmond.

Sat. 22
The executive omit four players for today’s game at the RCG because they are habitually absent when Richmond plays on opposition grounds.

August
Sat. 26
At North Melbourne Charlie Backhouse is knocked out in the last quarter. Richmond supporters complain of North’s rough play.

September
The VFA sends a letter to the League requesting a representative game between the bodies. The VFL will turn down the proposal.

Sat. 9
“Follower” for The Leader refers to Richmond as the “Wasps”.

Tue. 12
Having received a postcard claiming Hector Milne and “others” will play dead against Footscray the Richmond executive resolves to “express utmost confidence” in Milne.

Sat. 16
Footscray 9-19 (73) defeats Richmond 0-4 (4) on the RCG. Footscray claims the premiership by winning this game.
Contingents of Richmond and Footscray supporters clash during and following the match.