1902 Chronology

Position: PREMIERS
Won 15, Lost 1, For 814, Pts Against 346.
Captain: Alec. Edmond
Vice Captain: Jack Cathie
Leading Goal Kicker: R. Duncan (17)
Revenue: L848 7s. 10d. Credit Balance: L163 13s. 6d.
Membership: 556

March
Thr. 20
Archibald McNair is elected Richmond’s treasurer replacing Percy Sevier.

April
Wed. 2
Richmond City and West Richmond amalgamate to become Richmond Juniors. Richmond offers the new club free use of its ground and facilities.

Sat 5
Richmond vs Leopold on the Scotch Ground

Sat 12
Richmond Juniors 4.12 def Prahran 2.4
Goalkickers: Wregg, Douglas, Welch, Shaw.

Sat 18
Northcote 3.0 def Richmond Juniors 2.5 at Northcote.

circa 23
A combined VJFA side play Essendon (Premiers) on the East Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Juniors play a blue jersey, yellow sash, yellow and blue hose). In the Juniors side ion the back line is Justins (Richmond), and as a forward is Shaw (Richmond)

Tues 29
The committee resolves that the players will decide the winner of Abe Nathan’s cup. It is intended to be given to the best all-round man this season.

May
Sat 3
Richmond defeats Port Melbourne in the opening game at Richmond. The spectators behaved so disgracefully that Port’s captain requested the game be stopped for a few minutes.
A new club flag is raised. Alex Stevens’s wife organised lady supporters to raise money for it. The new flag replaces the now tattered 1888 club flag.

Mon. 19
The football club’s new dressing room is officially opened.

Fri. 23
At a VFA meeting the recent Richmond v. Port Melbourne game was discussed and it was decided that the Richmond Cricket Club be asked to provide better protection for the players and umpire.

Sat. 24
About 5,000 attend Richmond’s home game against Footscray. Letter writers and columnists would complain of the inadequate exit gate in the ladies’ reserve and the resulting crush after the game.

Sat. 31
At North Melbourne, North’s captain calls his players off the field before time is called. Richmond players were left in the centre of the ground and, despite police protection, some were hit by stones thrown by the invading North mob.

June
Sat. 7
Essendon Town treats Richmond’s and Town’s lady supporters to afternoon tea at their ground.

Sat. 21
With Alec. Edmond disqualified for four matches, for striking ex-Richmondite Hector Milne in the North Melbourne game, Jack Cathie assumes the captaincy.

Tue. 24
The committee decides to recommend to the players that Chris Bahen be elected captain in the absence of Alec. Edmond. Bahen will captain the club until the return of Edmond.

Thr. 26
Richmond’s Coronation Day match against Geelong is abandoned owing to the King’s illness.

July
Sat. 5
A large police presence is at Port Melbourne for the Richmond game. Port win and no violent incidents occur at the ground.

Sat. 26
Richmond defeats Footscray at Footscray. The game became very rough in the last quarter.
A few Footscray players accuse Richmond’s Charlie Taylor of attempting to bribe them to play stiff this day.

August
Tue. 5
Joseph McCormack, the head trainer, complains to the committee that players are not attending training and that several habitually turn up late on Saturday.

Sat. 9
Richmond treats Essendon Town’s and Richmond’s lady supporters to afternoon tea at their ground.
George “Mallee” Johnson kicks four goals for Richmond on his return from the Boer War.

Tue. 12
A letter is received from the secretary of the VFA requesting that the Richmond Football Club “endeavour to provide” an umpire’s dressing room separate from the players.

Sat. 23
Brunswick are invited to coffee and cake after their game in the wet at Richmond.
Ernest McDonald’s five goals against Brunswick equals Fred Alsop’s, Billy Brown’s and George Sparrow’s club record for the most goals kicked in a premiership game.

Fri. 29
Charlie Taylor is disqualified for life for attempting to bribe Footscray players on July 26. Richmond is not pleased with the decision.

Sat. 30
Richmond wins their first Premiersip
Richmond Premiers! Richmond defeats Prahran at Toorak Park. Richmond went into the last Saturday of matches level on points with Port Melbourne but after Port loses its last game Richmond wins its first premiership.
The telephone was in constant use relaying scores between Toorak Park and Port’s game at Williamstown. When news came through of Port’s loss the joy of the Richmond supporters was unbounded.
The Richmond Football Club’s Grand Bazaar in the Town Hall is opened.

September
Sat. 4
Charlie Backhouse, William Carkeek and Archie McNair represent the VFA against the VFL at the MCG.

Sat. 13
Richmond lose to South Bendigo on its end of season trip.

December
Tue. 16
The committee decides to present Abe Nathan’s trophy to Charlie Backhouse in, “... recognition of the long and honorable services he had rendered to the club.” (see April)
It is decided to present Charlie Taylor with ten guineas and a trophy for, “old services to the club.” Dave Watson is to receive a trophy for similar reasons.