Knights in shining armour, helping Tigers raise fundsJake Niall
March 17, 2011MATTHEW Knights, silent since his two-year contract to coach Essendon was terminated last year, has confirmed that he will be among the notable former Tigers who attend tonight's ambitious Richmond fundraiser.
Knights, a former Richmond captain, will join three of Richmond's official club ''immortals'' - Kevin Bartlett, Francis Bourke and Tommy Hafey - at the function, which the Tigers expect to attract about 200 supporters and which is the first significant step in a drive to raise $6 million.
Royce Hart, the club's only other living immortal, is too ill to attend the function, for which the Tigers expect each guest (not including club greats) to contribute $3000 or more to a fund that will be used to reduce debt and build the foundation for a stronger football department.
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Knights, who has declined to speak about his dismissal by the Bombers, huge payout (estimated at up to $1 million) and replacement by Essendon great James Hird, said yesterday he was ''definitely'' attending the Richmond function following an invitation from his former teammate, club chief executive Brendon Gale.
''I've been invited along by Benny [Gale] and thoroughly looking forward to the function,'' said Knights, who will commentate for ABC-774 this year and is working as director of Xavier College's football program.
''I think it will be a great night.''
Knights said he had been to Tigerland during his time away from the club and at Windy Hill, so this occasion could not be considered a homecoming. ''I've been back a few times. I'm just coming along to enjoy tomorrow night.''
Whereas Melbourne's highly successful ''debt demolition'' campaign focused on club survival and freeing the club from debt, the Tigers have chosen a different tack for their fundraising, pushing the notion that they need to raise $6 million in order to ensure the club can compete with competition heavyweights on the field.
The Tigers' debt is about $4.5 million.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/knights-in-shining-armour-helping-tigers-raise-funds-20110316-1bxcl.html
