Sub-District cricket: Geoff Richardson receives life membership of Subbies
Former Victorian opening batsman Geoff Richardson’s long involvement with the Victorian Sub-District Cricket association has been recognised with life membership.
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WHEN Noble Park joined the ranks of Sub-District cricket in 1990-91, it recruited former Victorian opener Geoff Richardson as captain and to head its batting.
He made a sticky start.
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Richardson is a diehard Collingwood supporter and Noble’s first match came the day after the Pies defeated Essendon in the 1990 grand final.
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He had a few drinks to celebrate.
The next day he played and missed at his first two balls and was dismissed on the third.
“The old three strikes and you’re out,’’ Richardson recalled with a laugh.
But he more than made up for his debut duck, scoring three centuries and more than 600 runs for the season.
Neither the club nor the player could have imagined their partnership would be so enduring.
Almost three decades on, Richardson — “Richo’’ to everyone in Subbies — remains at Noble.
On Sunday, the VSDCA recognised his long association with the club and competition when it made him a life member.
Richardson’s Subbies CV is striking.
He holds Noble Park’s First XI games record, 186, and played 99 more matches in lower XIs. He made 4482 runs. He figured in its first premiership in 2002-03. He captained the Subbies representative team three times and coached it for five years. He’s been on the Parkers’ committee for more than 20 years, including a long stretch as treasurer. And he joined the VSDCA executive in 2009-10.
Richardson’s elevation to VSDCA life membership goes with his place in the Cricket Victoria 200 Club.
“I’m pretty humbled by it all,’’ he said.
“I don’t think anyone, when they get involved with cricket clubs or associations, sets out to become a life member. They do it for the love of the game and what they can put in and get out of it.
“I’ve always enjoyed being involved with people with a common goal and love of cricket. I feel honoured. I Iove the association. I had a long innings at Premier level and I love that competition as well, but I’m really happy I’ve been involved with the Subbies for the last 30 years as a player and administrator.’’
A Tooradin and Dandenong West junior who captained the Australian Under 19s, Richardson played 185 matches for Richmond, hitting 6150 runs, with 10 centuries and 38 half-centuries. The Tigers have him in their hall of fame.
Richardson also played 15 first-class matches for Victoria, famously making a double century against Queensland in 1983-84 at the MCG. People still remind him of it.
“I loved playing for Victoria but I wished I’d played a few more games, been more consistent,’’ he said.
“As an Under 19 player I was perhaps earmarked to play a lot more. In the end the form wasn’t there. It was quite a few years later when I did get the opportunity. But to do that (make a double century) on the MCG, that’s something they can’t take away from you.’’
Noble Park president Craig Ortland said Richardson had been “very loyal’’ to the club and a passionate servant of the sport.
“When you think of what he’s done, he’s had an amazing career in cricket,’’ he said.
“We’ve been very lucky to have him at our club for so long. He’s a good man ‘Richo’.’’
THE VSDCA ON ‘RICHO’
Geoff is very passionate about the VSDCA and the future direction of
the association and is willing to put his ideas forward to improve this
great game of cricket.
NEW VSDCA LIFE MEMBERS
Graeme Hosken (Altona)
Barry “Bud’’ Walder (Balwyn)
Alan Tudor (Brighton)
Shayne Rule (Coburg)
Geoff Richardson (Noble Park)
David Anning (Endeavour Hills)
Phil O’Meara (VSDCA president/Port Melbourne CC/Kingston Saints CC)
Arthur Dixon (Malvern)
Max Carroll (Yarraville)
Kevin Vernon (Melton)
Rowland Williams (Oakleigh)
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