1901 Chronology

Position: Second
Won 12, Lost 4, For 681, Against 428.
Captain: Alec. Edmond
Vice Captain: Chris Bahen
Leading Goal Kicker: James Douglas (14)
Revenue: 409pounds 12s. 10d. Credit Balance: 192pounds 18s. 11d.
Membership: 328

April
City: A movement to change the name of the City of Richmond to East Melbourne is prominent in April and May of 1901. The movement will fail.

Wed. 10
The Richmond Cricket Club agrees to assist the Richmond Football Club in increasing the size of the pavilion’s training room.

Tue. 30
Jimmy Parker is cleared to Prahran.
Richmond’s new head trainer, Joseph McCormack objects “to the use of whiskey” by players at half time. It is resolved that whiskey may only be used after the match.

May
Sat. 18
Richmond has a bye. The committee takes Richmond’s players to the Collingwood v. Melbourne League game at Victoria Park.

June
Sat. 1
Jimmy Parker plays for Prahran against his old team Richmond. It is estimated that 1,500 Richmondites travelled to Prahran for the match.

Sat. 8
Richmond 11-16 (82) defeats Brunswick 3-3 (21) in its 150th premiership game at the RCG.
Richmond tops the VFA ladder for the first time ever after defeating Brunswick.

Sat. 29
A crowd of 5,000-6,000 see Richmond defeat North Melbourne at the RCG. Six extra gatekeepers were engaged to meet the expected demand.
Charlie Backhouse will be disqualified for four matches for “talking to the umpire” during this match.

July
Sat. 20
Richmond begins a three day trip to Daylesford. They will lose to the local team.

Sat. 27
A Backhouse-less Richmond lose to premiership rival Port Melbourne.

August
Sat. 24
Essendon Town, who were in good form despite being third last on the table defeats the ladder leaders Richmond on the RCG. Richmond wasted many opportunities kicking 3-14 (32) to Essendon’s 6-4 (40).
After Saturday’s matches Richmond shares top position on the ladder with Port Melbourne. There is one weekend of matches remaining.
Backhouse returns to the team.
Richmond will not lose at the RCG again until June 2, 1906.

Sat. 31
In the final matches for the season North Melbourne defeats Richmond at North while Port Melbourne defeats Prahran. Richmond’s loss and Port’s victory allows Port to claim the VFA premiership outright.
George Peckham-Beachcroft will allege (privately at a RFC committee meeting) that before this game two North Melbourne players, Tarpey and Pratt, offered to “play stiff” and induce another player, Noonan, to do likewise. Beachcroft does not entertain them.