I found out today that Jim, from Nth Carlton Newsagency on Lygon St, just near Pigdon St, passed away last Tuesday in Queensland. I am not sure of his age, but would've been in his 60's.
Jim loved the Tigers since he was a kid and counted himself as one of our staunchest fans. Royce Hart was his all time favorite player, but he would secretly admit to Matty Knights being his favorite at times. Knights provided Jim (and many of us) with his favorite football memory as he dazzled his opponents with 3 goals in that famous 2nd Semi against the Bombers, even though Jim was at the 1980 GF, but he really thought we were finally back as a force that year until of course we met Geelong in the Prelim!
Jim hated all the crap that has been introduced into football such as the national competition, video reports and so on. He loved the VFL and lamented the loss of suburban grounds, he just loved his old fashioned footy. In his final months he greatly enjoyed a book called 'All the Tiger Year- A Richmond Fanatic's 2003 season' by John Green. He loved the suburban and family type references made in the book.
He has complete faith with the youngsters coming through at Richmond, in his later years I know he took to observing the young talent coming through and I know that this lot excited him tremendously, he liked Wallace too, he died knowing the team was heading in the right direction, and thought they were in good hands. We have lost a great Tiger fan in Jim.
RIP Jim
DC
