108-year-old Richmond fan, Frances Reid might be the Club’s most enriched supporter, having lived to witness all of Richmond’s 11 premierships.
Born in 1911 – almost eight years before Richmond’s first premiership in 1920, Ms. Reid celebrated her 108th birthday on Monday with her family and friends at Elouera Aged Care Centre in Torquay, Victoria where she resides.
Former Richmond player, Chris Naish was on hand to celebrate with Frances, presenting the life-long Tiger fan with a personalised Richmond guernsey.
Frances has had many favourite players in her life, Francis Bourke and John Northey being a couple, and of today’s Tigers, Alex Rance and Dustin Martin are her favourites.
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Her room is decorated with Richmond posters and decorations, and she still enjoys watching games on TV.
Frances’ daughter, Elwyn Pollard can recall many of her mother’s favourite Richmond memories.
“She’s been yellow and black all her life, and started supporting the Tigers because her brother and uncles lived in Richmond back then,” Ms. Pollard said.
“One of the first games she went to was in 1930 at Punt Road Oval. She remembers it because the crowd got annoyed and pushed the picket fence down during the game, and Richmond won."
Born in Forrest in Victoria and growing up on a farm in nearby Gerangamete, Elwyn said her mother always found a way to support her beloved Tigers.
“When she lived on the farm, the only way she could listen to Richmond games was on a battery-powered radio, until she moved to Skipton and got a black and white TV in 1956.”
Despite being able to celebrate all of Richmond’s 11 premierships, Elwyn says that her mother is still hungry for another flag, and wishes the team well this season.
