A Tiger that fought for boxing’s world heavyweight title 110 years ago headlines a list of deceased premiership players Richmond wants to honour with posthumous life membership of the Club.

Bill Lang, whose real surname was Lanfranchi, was a tough, courageous defender, who played in Richmond’s 1905 VFA premiership side and was a pioneer member of the Tigers team that entered the VFL competition in 1908.

He started his professional boxing career in 1905 and quickly rose through the heavyweight ranks.

His first big fight was in front of 15,000 people, under lights at the old Richmond Racecourse on March 4, 1907, when he took on glamor American boxer Jack Johnson.

The brilliant Johnson, who subsequently went on to win the world heavyweight title, knocked out Lang in the ninth round.

Not to be denied, however, Lang restored his reputation and ranking in the heavyweight division with a string of wins, which set up a title bout on September 3, 1908 against world champion Tommy Burns.

The fight was scheduled for 20 rounds, but Lang was knocked out in the sixth round by the Canadian.

Five months later, Lang fought Bill Squires in a 20-round bout for the Australian heavyweight title, and went on to knock him out in the 17th round.

Later that year, he successfully defended his title in a rematch with Squires, knocking him out in the 20th round.

And, before the year was out, Lang again defended his Australian crown, with a 12th round knockout of triple world title-holder Bob Fitzsimmons in Sydney.

Lang eventually lost his Australian heavyweight title to Tommy Burns, on a points decision over 20 rounds, in April 1910.

He then fought overseas, in both America and England, before returning to regain the Australian heavyweight title with a knockout victory over Bill Squires.

In September 1911, Lang lost his title to Jack Lester in a points decision over 20 rounds.

Lang’s last professional fight took place in November 1916.

All-up, Lang had 44 fights for 34 wins, with three of his losses on points over 20 rounds.

In 2004, Lang was inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame, in recognition of his achievements as a heavyweight on the world stage.

If you are related to Bill Lang/William Lanfranchi, or any of the Richmond premiership players listed below, please contact the Club on (03) 9426 4400.

Jack Cathie

1902 premiership centre half-forward. Spent three years at the Club and wore a white hat when he played.

A. Davidson (first name unknown)      

1902 premiership full-forward. Had four years with the Club.                                                                

Roland Duncan

1902 premiership forward. Had previously played for Collingwood.

Tom Gault

1902 premiership ruckman. Played for four seasons at Richmond.

Percy Gibb

1902 premiership wingman. Also played in a premiership at Collingwood.

P. Gibney (first name unknown)      

1902 premiership forward.

Tim Hardiman

1902 premiership half-forward. Spent four seasons with Richmond.

K. Hardy (first name unknown)

1902 premiership forward pocket.

George ‘Mallee’ Johnson

1902 premiership centre half-back. Fought in the Boer War and also played in three premierships with Carlton.

Ernie Justins

1902 premiership back pocket.  His brother Joe also was a member of that Richmond premiership side.

Joe Justins                                                                 

1902 premiership centre half-back.  Brother of Ernie.

Ernest Maine                                                           

1902 premiership forward. His brother Jack also was a member of that Richmond premiership side.

Jack Maine                                                                

1902 premiership defender.

Manning (first name unknown)                    

1902 premiership full-back.           

Richard Pirrie                                                          

1902 premiership half-forward. Also played 24 games for Melbourne.

Archie Richardson                                               

1902 premiership wingman. Served in World War One for Australia and in World War Two for America. He lived through every Richmond premiership in the VFA and VFL and died aged 101. 

Wilson (first name unknown)                        

1902 premiership player. Little is known about Wilson. Match report neglects to mention his first name.

Walter Sykes                                                            

1905 premiership centreman. Kicked two goals in the Grand Final victory over North Melbourne.

Charlie Ricketts                                                                       

1905 premiership rover. Also kicked two goals in the Grand Final triumph.  Later coached the Club in the VFL from 1914-16.

Jack Anderson                                                        

1932 premiership 19^th man. Came off the bench to kick a crucial goal that regained the lead for Richmond in the ’32 Grand Final victory over Carlton.         

Roy Quinn                                                                 

1943 premiership half-forward. Played 25 games all-up for Richmond.

Richmond made a constitutional change last year, granting life membership to every senior premiership team member (VFA, VFL and AFL), regardless of length of tenure at Tigerland.

The above-listed players are the only ones remaining to have Richmond life membership bestowed upon them.