The Richmond Football Club is mourning the death of Bill Clements, former player and long-time committee member of the Former Players and Officials.

Clements died January 9, 2025 aged 91, his wife Marg advised the club.

Recruited from Berrigan where he had won their Best and Fairest and Leading Goalkicking awards, Clements was renowned for his high marking and long kicks during his 14 senior Richmond games from 1957-59.

As a half-back and half-forward, he played 27 Reserves matches (kicking 12 goals), and represented Victoria’s Reserves side in their defeat of South Australia in 1958.

A longstanding committee member of the Former Players and Officials, Clements received a life membership of that organisation in 1977, and in 1986 when it was reported that the club might be moving to Brisbane under Alan Bond, was one of the vocal objectors to the relocation.

Born October 8, 1933, he came to Tigerland in 1957 as a 23-year-old on a three-match permit and debuted along with Neville Crowe and Brian Pilcher against North Melbourne.

The press wrote that Richmond officials “describe him as the most impressive recruit to train on the Punt Road oval for many years” and that he “gave a fine display of long drop kicking with both feet.”

Once that permit expired, he returned to the family farm at Berrigan, until another three-match permit was granted allowing him to play some Reserves games. (His full permit came through in July).

After Tigerland, he transferred to VFA club Oakleigh in 1960 and played in their premiership side.

A butcher by trade, Clements worked for committeeman Bob Dickinson in the South Yarra butcher’s shop on Commercial Road, before later opening his own in Oakleigh.

He was a regularly attendee at Richmond functions for decades, and with his infectious smile was beloved by his teammates and officials.

Our condolences to Marg and the family.