Richmond Football Club was born on this day 130 years ago.

The formation of the Club took place on February 20, 1885, at a public meeting held at the Royal Hotel (which remains to this day), directly opposite Punt Road Oval.

Richmond entered the premier football competition of the day – the Victorian Football Association – in the 1885 season.

By the start of the 20th century, the Club had become a VFA powerhouse.

The Tigers progressed from third in 1900 to runners-up in 1901 and then, in 1902, they won their inaugural premiership. Another VFA premiership followed in 1905.

In late 1907, Richmond, which possessed playing strength, financial stability, a prime, central location, and a large, passionate supporter base, received an invitation to join the breakaway Victorian Football League competition.

The Tigers subsequently made their VFL debut in the 1908 season and gradually built into a force to be reckoned with, capturing their first league premiership in 1920.

They made it back-to-back flags with success in the 1921 Grand Final. 

Further Tiger premiership triumphs ensued in 1932, 1934, 1943, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974 and 1980.

All-up, Richmond has won 10 league premierships, making it one of the most successful clubs in the competition’s history.

And, a veritable cavalcade of champions – many of the greatest players the game has ever seen – have proudly called Tigerland home throughout the past 130 years . . . the likes of Jack ‘Captain Blood’ Dyer, Jack Titus, Vic Thorp, Bill Morris, Roy Wright, Kevin Bartlett, Royce Hart, Francis Bourke, Ian Stewart and Matthew Richardson, to name just a few.

Many happy returns, Richmond . . . May the coming years bring many more premierships, and enormous enjoyment for the Tiger Army.

The Tigers’ tale

Formed:  February 20, 1885

First VFA game:  Round 1, 1885 v Williamstown at Garden’s Reserve, Williamstown, May 2 (Richmond 0.5 to Williamstown 1.17)

Total VFA games:  419

Wins:  192

Losses:  206

Draws:  21

VFA premierships:  2 (1902, 1905)

Joined VFL in 1908

First VFL game:  Round 1, 1908 v Melbourne, Punt Road Oval, May 2 (Richmond 8.14 to Melbourne 7.9)

Total VFL/AFL games:  2081

Wins:  1039

Losses:  1021

Draws:  21

Highest VFL/AFL score:  34.18 (222) v St Kilda, Round 16, 1980, SCG

Greatest winning margin:  168 points v North Melbourne, Round 2, 1931, Punt Road

Lowest score:  0.8 (8) v St Kilda, Junction Oval, Round 16, 1961

Greatest losing margin:  157 points v Geelong, Round 6, 2007, Etihad Stadium

Most consecutive wins:  12 (Round 11, 1932 to Round 2, 1933)

Most consecutive losses:  15 (Round 9, 2004 to Round 1, 2005)

Most VFL/AFL career goals:  Jack Titus, 970 (1926-43)

Most goals in a season:  Michael Roach, 112 (1980)

Most goals in a match:  Doug Strang, 14 v North Melbourne, Round 2, 1931, Punt Road

Most times Club’s leading goalkicker:  Matthew Richardson, 13 (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)

Total VFL/AFL finals:  80

Wins:  46

Losses:  33

Draws:  1

VFL/AFL premierships:  10 – 1920, 1921, 1932, 1934, 1943, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980

Runners-up:  12 – 1919, 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1933, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1972, 1982

Pre-season/night premierships:  1 – 1962

Reserve-grade premierships:  9 – 1929, 1946, 1954, 1955, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1977, 1997 

Under 19s premierships:  11 – 1958, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1989 

Brownlow Medallists:  Stan Judkins 1930, Bill Morris 1948, Roy Wright 1952 and 1954, Ian Stewart 1971

Norm Smith Medallists:  Kevin Bartlett, 1980 and Maurice Rioli, 1982

Most Best and Fairests:  Jack Dyer, 6 (1932, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946)

Most games as a player:  Kevin Bartlett, 403 (1965-83)

Most games as captain:  Percy Bentley, 168 (1932-40)

Most games as coach:  Tommy Hafey, 248 (1966-76)