RICHARDSON, Ned

Ned Richardson was something of a football journeyman. He came to Essendon from Richmond where he played 26 games from 1913 to 1915. Before that he had played two games for Fitzroy in 1909.

He joined Essendon midway through the 1915 season, playing mainly on the half-back flank. He played eight of the last nine games of 1915. His career was suspended when Essendon stood out of the League between 1916 and 1917, but he returned in 1918 when he was one of only two players to play every game that season.

He was also a talented athlete and won a number of foot races before becoming coach to several noted runners, including world champion Tom Trebilco.

Richardson died on 19th January, 1929, following an operation, aged only 42 and leaving a wife and children. As a mark of his standing in the athletics community, the Victorian Athletic League and other organisations established an appeal for his family.