Kevin, a 30-year member of the Tiger Army, narrowly avoided a lifetime as a Saints supporter when he was swayed towards the Yellow and Black colours of his local football club.

To make his Richmond connection even stronger, he was then gifted number 29 in his first season of local footy.

It was a gateway and connection to one of Richmond’s greatest ever players, Kevin Bartlett, with whom Kevin now shared a name and jumper number.

From then on, it was a done deal. Kevin would become Yellow and Black and spend a lifetime cheering in the Tiger Army.

Kevin’s daughter, Jess, has been a Richmond member for 19 years and perhaps didn’t have the same freedom of choice as Kevin when choosing her team.

“I didn’t really know we had a choice”, Jess said.

“It was Yellow and Black from the very beginning.”

Along with Kevin’s wife, Janet, and their two children Jess and Josh, the Boyd family have a combined 85 years of membership and support with the Richmond Football Club.

Growing up, Kevin didn’t often get the opportunity to watch AFL live, living in Colac, a fair distance from the home of the Tigers, the MCG.

“Growing up I never got the opportunity, but when we got a taste of it, we got addicted,” he admitted.

“There were about five of us from Colac that used to drive down on a Friday after work to catch the Tigers under the lights at the MCG.

“It was a late night travelling back home after the game, but always worth it.”

As the years went on, Kevin would often rally the family for road trips to the MCG.

“Dad would drive us down every second weekend – rain, hail or shine, and we’d have to stay till the very end!” Jess laughed.

“He’d remind us that we could miss some golden moments, like Mark or Goal of the Year.”

It wasn’t long before Kevin took the next steps to committing to Richmond, deciding to secure reserved seats down the Punt Road end at the MCG.

“People around us have become family, they’ve seen us grow up,” Jess shared.

“When you go to every home game, you get to know people around you. We’ve grown to really have each other’s backs.”

For Jess and Kevin, One Richmond simply highlights their connection to each other and the Tiger Army.

“It’s our second family; our Richmond family,” Kevin shared.

“We are Richmond-centric, and the Club continues to bring us together.

“The kids have grown up watching the Tigers and it’s positively impacted their lives. It’s helped build confidence in my son, Josh, through his childhood and young adulthood."

It also encapsulates their recall of the good and bad times endured together.

“There are so many fond memories over the years in the Yellow and Black,” Jess recalled. 

“During lockdowns, we watched footy in the house together and when we won, we drove down the road and sat in the driveway of our cousin's house, playing the Richmond theme song.”

Kevin has witnessed many Richmond greats emerge in his time, but none shone brighter in his eyes than the iconic Matthew Richardson and Dustin Martin.

“My favourite players have to be Richo and Dusty,” Kevin said.

“We went to games when Richmond were losing just to watch Richo play.”

After years of enjoying Richmond greats take the stage, Kevin admits he’s recognising a similar rise in the new Tiger Cubs.

“Tom Sims will be a star. He reminds me of Jack Riewoldt,” Kevin said.

“Sam Banks, Tyler Sonsie, Judson Clarke, and even Hugo (Ralphsmith) with the mullet! They all excite the Tiger Army. I love watching them play."

But away from the bright lights of the MCG, Jess and Kevin declare their love for Richmond is unique.

"The feeling around the Club, at games and among supporters is incredible. It’s not the same when you’re sitting amongst other teams; it’s unique to the Tiger Army,” Jess reflected.

“My advice to the Tiger Army is to embrace these times. The Club is stable and is planning for the future,” Kevin said.

“With stability comes success.”

As for Jess, her love runs deep and comes out each weekend at the MCG.

“Celebrating moments is all that counts, and there’s nothing quite like being part of the roar that fills the stadium,” she said.

Start your journey like Jess and Kevin, today. Become a member.