Matthew Richardson set to annouce retirement

[banana_bus]

Ill be popping down just before 10.30... see if not we can catch a glimpse of the great man.

Never been so depressed in my life...

Let us remember the good times. In all honesty, take away Richo and weve had **** all good times.

Best memory of Matty - was about 10 at the time, went down to training. As I was leaving, he was getting in his car about to drive off. Went to get his signature, but didnt have a pen. He didnt either. So he got out of his car, went around asking people for a pen. Got one, signed my collector's card, and went on his way.

Champion player, champion bloke.

Oh and to Tim who was the first caller in on SEN after 6pm when news first broke. You are a pissant hick. Hope something very bad happens to you tomorrow, you deserve it.

 

[jihg]

Richo bled black and yellow could have left to chase glory many times yet stayed true to the club he loved and as time went by no one could have even remotely imagined Richo at another club in a different jumper. He had his highlighted tantrums but when you bleed black and yellow like Richo and youare getting the poor delivery he was getting then showing his emotions was not just a tantrum but the frustration of not being able to do his job for the club he loved.

In this period he still kicked 800 goals and we all can only but imagine what might have been if he had a decent midfield with good skills delivering the ball to him and it is sadly ironic that at the time when we are looking at having that midfield with decent skills that should be delivering the ball well and it is at the time when the great mans body has given out.

Matthew Richardson who came to the club as the son of Bull Richardson has in 17 years endeared himself to Richmond supporters and the supporters of opposition clubs has become a legend in his own right no longer is he the son of Bull he is Richo and we all long to see the day when we have the son of Richo lining up for the club and one hopes that he would be able to make his own name in time and firmly establish one of the greatest footballing dynasties.

To those who have claimed that they love Richo but with his departure they are unsure if they can continue to support the club how is that honouring the man you claim to admire it is the direct opposition of what the man you love has shown his entire career. In fact if we want to honour him we should continue to support the club because we all know that Richo while be he may not be on the list and running out to play but he will still bleed black and yellow.

To the club I hope that they not only make room for the outpouring of admiration tomorrow but they manage to organise a lap of honour for Richo in round one against Carlton as it is the least that we can do.

As much as we all knew this day would arrive and some suspected it and some thought it was time we all love the big feller and to hear that finally his career is over saddens us all.

 

[Cotchin 9]

^ Fantastic post.

 

[cocobonobo]

Gotta respect the man.
My favourite richmond player by a country mile.
He never stopped giving.
was an absolute champion!!

 

[_RT_]

Although I have called for Richo to retire for a while now, I was gutted tonight when I was told at work that the big fella had called it quits. However, I am kind of glad that it has happened now and not after 1-2 games of the 2010 season as it would be a real sad way to end it seeing Richo go down in a screaming heap on the G as his hammy finally gave way. There is no doubting that Richo gave more to this club than the club gave him in return and for that we should all be greatful as he has made the past 17 years a little less painful.

Richo may be gone, but the one positive we can take from it, it it now creates an opportunity for a kid to come in and be the next hero for the Richmond faithful.

 

[Mario Speedwagon]

So what exactly did this "Tim" person say anyway?

 

[Sergian]

Love him. Will miss him.

 

[davross]

Good luck Richo great career its a pity you never played more finals (sorry Tiges fans just stating obvious). Loved watching you play, with your height and athleticism you were years ahead of the game. All the best.

 

[tora tora tora]

Re: Richo retiring tomorrow

today is the 12th of november. can we make it national richo day?

if he had've announced it on the 11th. it'd be good. he'd been up there with gough whitlam and ned kelly and rememberence day.

 

[tora tora tora]

Although I have called for Richo to retire for a while now, I was gutted tonight when I was told at work that the big fella had called it quits. However, I am kind of glad that it has happened now and not after 1-2 games of the 2010 season as it would be a real sad way to end it seeing Richo go down in a screaming heap on the G as his hammy finally gave way. There is no doubting that Richo gave more to this club than the club gave him in return and for that we should all be greatful as he has made the past 17 years a little less painful.

Richo may be gone, but the one positive we can take from it, it it now creates an opportunity for a kid to come in and be the next hero for the Richmond faithful.

i agree. devastating as it is, richos - the legend's - retirement is like a line in the sand. from season 2010 onwards, the remaining players and coaches will know that they step up, can now start writing their own chapter in richmond's history.

 

[Bruce Monteath]

For single handedly carrying the club on your broad shoulders through some of our darkest days, I thank you great man.

There will never be another Richo.

Sad day for for a tiger. Sad day for football.

 

[captain blood 17]

For single handedly carrying the club on your broad shoulders through some of our darkest days, I thank you great man.

There will never be another Richo.

Sad day for for a tiger. Sad day for football.

Was thinking of what to write, still feeling numb, i'll go with the above.

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

This is a sad day. Saw him play numerous times even without my team out there on the field and he was always great to watch. Just a hard working decent player.

He will be missed as a great sportsman both on and off the field. All the best to him in his next career!

 

[wirra44]

Best memory of Matty - was about 10 at the time, went down to training. As I was leaving, he was getting in his car about to drive off. Went to get his signature, but didnt have a pen. He didnt either. So he got out of his car, went around asking people for a pen. Got one, signed my collector's card, and went on his way.
Champion player, champion bloke.

That is great story mate just shows how good of bloke he was

One of the few players from opposition teams i really really liked, but also a player i loved to watch. We will miss ya Big Fella hopefully he does coaching or something in the media.

 

[banana_bus]

So what exactly did this "Tim" person say anyway?

He was the first caller up, and lets just say that Ox gave him way too much time...

He called Richo a disgrace, tantrum queen and a few other things...

Hope he gets bitten by a snake on the penis.

 

[HARKER]

It is just great the see the universal love of the Richo Man.

Many great Richo moments, but as an opposition supporter I can't recall another situation where I wanted one person win an award above my own teams players.
That was Richo in the Brownlow last year.
I don't think I'll ever desire such a thing again.

Well done Mr. Richardson for all of those 16 years you strived for the club you love

 

[Better Loosen Up]

Hi guys

I would appreciate you giving me an opportunity to express a few words on the great man.

At the end of players careers, we are often too quick to judge them on what they achieved in terms team success and personal accolades. In some cases however, this is just not adequate.

Sure has was maligned at times, frustrating even, but his commitment was unquestionable.

Richo is one of those very rare players that just can't be compared to anyone who has previously played the game or represented the club. His commitment and the way he gave everything for the club and it's supporters both on and off the field puts him in a special place of his own, a true legend of the club and the game.

I would suggest if you were to try and compare him to anyone, it wouldn't be a Royce Hart or a Michael Roach or any other like player. In my mind, the best likeness at Richmond to Richo would be Jack Dyer. A massive call, but I think a justafiable one in many ways.

He is one of those very few players that represent and share what the jumper means to its supporters. Given an opportunity, the average supporter would break an arm and a leg to play for the jumper out on the field and would give every last inch of themselves. Richo was the embodiment of that attitude without question.

To me personnally, he is like Glenn Archer. He may not be the best footballer to have ever played for the club, but at the end of the day, what he means to the club is second to none or at least up there with the absolute best.

Today is a sad day for Richmond but also a sad day for the supporter of the game itself. I salute Richo for the way he has represented your club all these years in some of its hardest times. I salute Richo for what he has given to the game. I salute Richo for the way he conducted himself on and off the field and his willingness to give his time to supporters young and old.

And that's just it. I'm sure most Tiger supporters will have a story about a positive encounter they have experienced with Richo over the years. It's just the type of guy he is. A true champion on the field and a true champion as a person in general.

Good luck Richo for the future. Congratulations on a wonderful career and the way you went about it.

Condolences to all Tigers supporters. A very tough and sad time.

Cheers

 

[thegrach]

Thanks for the memories Richo, and everything you contributed to the club. I read an article that said he was a passionate player in a dispassionate time, and I think his passion for the club and the game inspired many, including myself. Going to miss watching you run players into the ground.

Go Tiges!

 

[camsmith]

Dont bother coming down, they wont let u in.. Atleast theyre training so its not a complete waste.

 

[hawkstars]

Great player Richo richo man! met him a couple times and always a great bloke. Will be missed around the afl.

 

[Tiger Army 24]

im seriously considering getting special consideration on my VCE business exam today im that shattered... thanks for the memories richo!

 

[jeff99_Au]

will always be remember as a richmond Great who gave his all for this great club.
one of the best players to wear the black and yellow
most players can learn alot from the way richo went about his football

one of the great footballers of the past decade

good luck for the future

 

[Blues_Man]

Loved Richo, both off and on the field,,one of the most entertaining players to play the game..he provided spectacular play along with stuff ups that only Richo could acheive...the big fella was great to watch . !

Lets hope he becomes a regular on the footy show...

 

[Haggard H]

Stop the time clock, hold the final bell,
The greatest man in footy should get a proper farewell.
Silence the cheer squads and with muffled drum
Bring out the highlights packages, let the supporters come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning over Punt Road
Scribbling on the sky the message: RIIIII-IIII-CHO!
Put number 12s on the backs of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear one black velcro glove.

He was our Hope, our Love, our Mark and Goal,
Our towering screamer and our club’s soul,
Our full-forward, our centre-half-forward, our wingman, our song;
We thought that Richo would play for ever: we were wrong.

The draft is not wanted now: I couldn’t give a shit;
I’ll never see another three-bounce goal or dummy-spit;
Not another soaring Richo mark or comedy routine.
The one and only Number 12; the biggest heart there’s ever been.



Matthew, Richmond's Son. We love you and we'll miss you. Football will never be the same for me.

You've done Auden proud, RATD. Nice - but you could have just left the last verse as in the original:

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

 

[Vantz]

It does not matter what club you follow. Richo was a favourite

He is a true champion of the modern era.