PREMIERSHIP PLAYER HONOURED

PREMIERSHIP PLAYER HONOURED

By Peter Kennedy

The Perth Football Club was well represented at a special function in Kings Park on February 15 for the dedication of a plaque to honour one of the our first premiership players, Richard Kennedy. Richard was killed in action in France in 1918, only months before the end of World War One. He was aged 41.

Club President Vince Pendal, and 1970 Simpson Medallist Allan Stiles, were on hand to witness the presentation of the plaque, which was one of 11 dedicated to fallen servicemen. The plaques will be placed at the base of trees which line the park's avenues.

Richard was a company quartermaster sergeant in the AIF's 32 battalion. He had been wounded early in the war in France, recuperated in England, and returned to the front. He is buried at the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery.

He enlisted with two of his brothers, including Frank who had acted as match timekeeper in the club's early years. Frank and his brother returned.

Richard was one of the club's first players to notch 100 games. He played 136 games in a career which stretched from 1901 to 1910. The highlight was the 1907 grand final when he was vice-captain of the team which won the club's first premiership --  on a protest.

The protest was officially lodged, alleging East Fremantle had been awarded a free kick for goal after the half-time bell. Old Easts were narrowly ahead at the final bell, but our appeal was later upheld, and the premiership awarded to Perth.

Richard's older brother Michael also played in the premiership team.

Current club member Peter Kennedy was at the Kings Park dedication, along with his second cousin, also Peter Kennedy, whose father Bergin was club secretary in 1907 and lodged the crucial protest.

Left to right: Peter Kennedy, Peter's second cousin also Peter Kennedy (holding the plaque) Vince Pendal (club president) and Allan Stiles (Simpson Medalist) after the presentation of the plaque for Richard Kennedy who was killed in action in France in 1918.