Re: How wealthy Richmond were in the 1930s
I think it was wealthy supporters who contributed sums over and above what each club would routinely bring in, and I know Richmond had a few of these. Jack Dyer was one of the beneficiaries.
Todd received around 500 pounds to cross to Williamstown, which was a veritable king's ransom in that era. The money was paid not by the club, but by a wealthy backer. John Wren, who was richer than most, offered to write an open cheque to retain Todd, but the board elected to let Todd go on principle (and I think gave Todd the photo-facing-the-wall treatment).
There was not that much money in VFL football, full-stop. If the VFL clubs were paying their stars big money 'on the side' in the 1930's in breach of League rules, why did the likes of Pratt (Sth Melb), Todd (Collingwood) and Valence (Carlton) defect to the VFA when the VFA abolished any cap on player payments?
I think it was wealthy supporters who contributed sums over and above what each club would routinely bring in, and I know Richmond had a few of these. Jack Dyer was one of the beneficiaries.
Todd received around 500 pounds to cross to Williamstown, which was a veritable king's ransom in that era. The money was paid not by the club, but by a wealthy backer. John Wren, who was richer than most, offered to write an open cheque to retain Todd, but the board elected to let Todd go on principle (and I think gave Todd the photo-facing-the-wall treatment).





