Richmond Football Club celebrates its 132^nd birthday today.

The formation of the Club took place on February 20, 1885, in a public meeting at the Royal Hotel, directly opposite Punt Road Oval.

Richmond entered the premier football competition at that time – the Victorian Football Association – in the 1885 season.

After a relatively slow start, the Club developed into a real force to be reckoned with by the start of the 20^th century.

The Tigers went from third in 1900 to runners-up in 1901 and then, in 1902, they captured their inaugural premiership.  Another VFA premiership followed in 1905.

In late 1907, Richmond, which boasted playing strength, financial stability, a prime, central location, and a large, passionate supporter base, was invited to join the breakaway Victorian Football League competition.

The Tigers made their VFL debut in the 1908 season and went on to claim their first league premiership in 1920.

They made it back-to-back flags with their triumph in the 1921 Grand Final. 

Further premierships followed in 1932, 1934, 1943, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974 and 1980.

All-up, Richmond has won 10 league premierships, making it, overall, one of the most successful clubs in the competition’s history.

And, a veritable cavalcade of champions – many of them all-time greats of the game – have called Tigerland home during the past 132 years, including the likes of Jack Dyer, Jack Titus, Vic Thorp, Bill Morris, Roy Wright, Royce Hart, Kevin Bartlett, Francis Bourke, Roger Dean, Michael Green, Kevin Sheedy, Dick Clay, Bill Barrot, Ian Stewart, Michael Roach, Dale Weightman, Maurice Rioli and Matthew Richardson, along with master coach Tommy Hafey.

Many happy returns, Tigers, and let’s hope the years ahead see many more premiership cups fill the trophy cabinet at the Club’s Punt Road headquarters.