100 years ago today, on May 27 1922, the earliest known reference to the Richmond-related phrase “TIGERLAND”, appeared in print.
It was written by Richmond Guardian newspaper editor Lou “Robbo” Roberts to begin his page 3 preview of the Round 4 match against Geelong at Corio Oval.
“Hands across the sea, yea, and feet too, to-day, for Tigerland will be “took and transplanted overseas.”
The first know appearance of Tigerland in print. 27 May 1922, pg 3, Richmond Guardian.
“Tigerland” was a moniker that Robbo would reference again in his column on July 15, 1922 when describing retired champion Barney Herbert’s visit to the club.
“Bernie has been chosen to play for Combined Ballarat against Geelong to-day, at the Pivot, thus his visit to Tigerland.”
The second known appearance of Tigerland in print. 15 July, 1922, page 3 Richmond Guardian.
Its first appearance in a newspaper headline is the August 19, 1922 edition of the Richmond Guardian, again by Robbo.
“A Good Reaping Will Send Shares Up And Arouse Enthusiasm In The Land – Tigerland”, the page 3 article proclaims, previewing Richmond’s first ever League match at Windy Hill.
The first known appearance of Tigerland in a headline.
For the record, Robbo didn’t coin the term Tigerland for a football club. But he was the person responsible for associating it to the Richmond Football Club.
A search through digitised newspapers shows the Tantanoola Football Club in South Australia in 1894 assumed the moniker of the Tigers, after the escaped circus animal roamed through their town, and hence the phrase Tigerland was used for their area.
“Robbo” was born Henry Llewellyn “Lou” Roberts in 1881, and was a passionate and popular Richmond supporter who edited the Richmond Guardian newspaper.
He also created the “Richmond News”, a fanzine that ran in the early 1920s containing caricatures, reminiscences he sought from old players, and photos.
He was appointed Vice-President of the Richmond Football Club from 1924-1935, before ascending the Presidency from 1936-1938.
In his football career as an official, he received life memberships of the Richmond Seniors, Richmond Reserves, the VFL, and was senior Vice President of the VFL, and Vice President of the Country League.
He died in 1945. Black armbands were worn by the Richmond players for their Round 15 match against Melbourne. Both teams and the umpire lined up for a minute’s silence before the game.
