Ron Johnson, a tough Richmond rover during the 1961 and 62 seasons, who had a front row seat to the birth of the Richmond theme-song and, incredibly, was once suspended by the League for striking a Tiger teammate in an intraclub match, has died. He was 84.
Johnson died on February 15; his son Rhett advised the club.
Born and bred in Richmond, Johnson cut his teeth playing as a 17-year-old in the rough Sunday League Competition for the Richmond Amateurs.
At Tigerland his 19 Senior games (for 15 goals), and 13 Reserve games (for 15 goals) were interrupted by a collarbone and ankle injury he sustained when waiting under a ‘hospital handpass’ against Hawthorn.
On April 14 1962, during an intra-club match at the Punt Road Ground, Johnson struck teammate and friend Ted Langridge six times with a clenched fist, in retaliation to being “spun around and socked in the nose.” (Moments earlier he had been kneed in the groin).
In a December 2020 interview with Rhett Bartlett, Johnson described how before the match his team – coached by champion rover Dick Harris and wearing Collingwood colours were instructed “to go out and beat your opponent, and you are in the team next week for Round One.”
In the other dressing room, the team – coached by Des Rowe – were given the same instructions. “So, you can just imagine the blood was pretty hot.”
Officiating the match was J Kiernan, himself under the gaze of his superiors in the lead-up to the opening round.
“I’m being watched. I’m on the line too,” Johnson remembered the umpire telling him. “If I don’t report you, I’m gone.”
At the Tribunal, teammate Langridge looked after Johnson and told Tribunal Chairman Hammond he could not recall being deliberately struck at all.
But the Chairman saw through the lie. “You must remember you are expected to tell the truth at this hearing,” and suspended Johnson for 2 home and away matches.
When he returned to the senior side in Round 4 against Geelong, Johnson stamped his authority (perhaps in frustration) by kicking 5 of Richmond’s 13 goals in their 25-point loss.
In that same year Johnson was watching on from the sidelines, as cabaret entertainer Jack Malcomson performed, for the first time, his recently written “Oh We’re From Tigerland” song to the team before a match against Melbourne.
Earlier Johnson remembered club secretary Bill Tymms creating a competition, sending out feelers, and offering money to anyone who could come up with a catchy theme-song for the club.
After the 1962 season Johnson left Richmond to join Mitcham for more money and the coaching and captaincy roles.
He also captain/coached Ashburton in 1967 before turning to umpiring in the Metropolitan League, CYMS, and yes would you believe, the Sunday League.
Not surprisingly he was a very handy cricketer, representing Richmond in District Cricket for 4 years.
A Tiger supporter from birth, Johnson remembered being at the 1947 Semi Final loss to Fitzroy. (It would be another 20 years until the Tigers made the Finals again).
The best footballer he ever saw was Essendon’s John Coleman, and his favourite Tiger player was fellow No.22 Leo Merrett, who greeted him on the first day he received his guernsey.
Off the field Johnson was a licensed plumber, who taught at trade school for over 25 years, and coached the Burwood Technical School footy team.
Prior to Richmond, he captained the Richmond Amateurs to the 1959 premiership (which included Tom Hafey in the side) and won their Best and Fairest in three consecutive years.
Breaking into Richmond’s senior side however proved difficult with Johnson remembering that “anyone coming from the Richmond Amateurs wasn’t too popular around the club. President Maurie Fleming and Bill Tymms didn’t want our supporters coming down mingling, they were rough and tough. It was very hard to crack it.”
But Johnson, at 5ft 8 and weighing 11st 10, did make it.
And forever in our history will be known as a Tiger.
