Memories from Richmond

Memories from Richmond Rovers Rugby League Football Club

My Grandpa, Benjamin William Davis Snr, was the club's first vice-president and founder of the club. The Hardware Boot Factory began in Richmond Road and then moved to Vincent Street. The boots had the brand name Bulldog, after grandpa's bulldog. Grandpa was Chairman for many years and Uncle Norman was also on the board. They moved to Wrights Road, Point Chev. Grandpa died in 1969.
My dad Benjamin William Jnr, played for Richmond from 1916, when he was 12, to 1931. [I have his cap to prove it]. He was in the team that won the Roope Rooster in 1926, along with his good mate Snowy Telford, who was later best man at his wedding. My dad died in 1962, so it was good to visit the old clubrooms this year and find the family in the old photographs up on the wall.
I am in my 70's, but would love to make contact with anyone who remembers our family from those days - Jan Cottle

Just saying hi to you dogs and Roses. Played and coached and played a bit at the ''pound'' and ''garden'', currently supporting the club from the HILL 'O' DEATH with a beer in the hand. Wishing everyone a good season, and hope to catch up with you during the season. Big Ups to all our expats overseas, Scotty Read, Daniel Vasau, Danny boy Seve, Matty Guttenbeil and many more. I know some of you can't type let alone read, but drop us a line at gapelu1@hotmail.com.GOD BLESS DA DAWGS AND ROSES - George Apelu.

Peter Ah Koui, Toa Fepuleai, John Buchan, John Petersen, Fred Ah Koui,  Shane Varley, Afi Ah Koui, Luther Toloa, Ray Williams, Se'e Solomona, Gary Turner, Olega Toloa. Bench: Foa Solomona, Tausi Tausi, John Marshall, Teo Maunga, Gary Dryland, Pau Tausi, Lapana Seve - Best players of my time 1974-2008, Anonymous great club

I was a legend but only I new it. Played for Ponies before that. Great club to be involved with, Woke up a lot of mornings not knowing how i got home after having only 'one beer yeah right - Matiu Guttenbeil

The Greatest Club on the Planet! The most amazing sense of family and so much talent!! - Andrew Sylvester

I got my 10 year trophy and won 2 championships - David Savieti (Dee)

Me and Snowy Puru gaining down to Carlaw park on Sundays to watch the PREMS I remember one game watching JAMES GOULDING and JAMES PICKERING BATTLE with the inform FUE brothers from Northcote on no.2 maybe the best game I’ve ever seen, the BULLDOGS beat the star studded TIGERS. My coach at the BULLDOGS was Simon Cassidy. We had a lot of good players but 2 talented guys I thought would of gone all the way were GRAHAM MCGLYNN and PIO SAO.I came back to Grey Lynn park but it was to play against the BULLDOGS, I was playing for north harbour in the regional cup, We got smoked I felt really funny playing against some of my old mates and where I grew up. We had a laugh and a drink afterwards that was really cool. I was very lucky to have started at this great club with so much strong history. GO THE MIGHTY BULLDOGS - Moro Davis

Played with this club most of my life, all my family have played or been involved in the club in some way or another - Karl Anthony Vasau (Karel)

Good club good atmosphere very happy too have been part of dis footy club - Agaese Sami (Ese)

Peter Ah Koui, I was there in 1984. Photo on wall JB and me, Keith also. What was this time like? Great for ones who have been there like us from the 70's and even beyond. Your mum, the good old days, your dad Sefuiva, the Tausi's, Martin's, Solomona's, Yandall's, Buchan's, Gary, Williams, their days make these days - Dennis Kennedy

Played in the Bulldogs senior B's under the Coaching of Nessie (Elliott) Sesega and
John Buchan, we did quite well I was very privileged to have played with very talented
players, who for one reason or another could have gone all the way to the top.
Good times was always guaranteed at the after match functions. The Ah Kuoi's, Solomona's, Tausi's, Teei's, Paranara's and so on were well known to me because we all went to MAGS - Peter Clarke

BULLDOGZ BITEM! BITEM!, IS WOT I REMEMBER AND WILL 4EVA..THE FAMOUS CNR AT CARLAW PARK 4 DA DAWGZ..2DA DAZE.."GREY LYNN PARK"DA SHIRE.."ITS HARD 2 ROLL DA DAWGZ IN THE DAWG HOUSE"..HAVNT PLAYED 4DA DAWGZ 4 A WHILE BUT MY HART WILL ALWAYS BE WITH THE PRIDE OF GREY LYNN "RICHMOND" BULLDOGS BITEM! BITEM!..1LUV..MUN.. REST IN PEACE DAD-SISTA - Manu Seve

Started @ this club after moving from Pt Chev my coaches where Toot's and big bad Lesemo players that I played with are Wayne Maumasi and my cuz Hans Hunt - Robert Hunt

Fortunate to have played with some great people The Solomonas, Sefuivas, Unasas, Vaganas, AhKuois, Tuisamoas, Shaumkels, Matamoas, Autagavias, Sateles, Browns, Laulus, Leauannes and so on- Samson Lee Sang

Proud to have been part of the club. Go hard brotherz - Lee Graham

Started at the club when I was 8, followed my mates to a few different clubs but finally went home to the ''mighty bulldogs'' - Hugh Mckechnie

THE BEST CLUB IN THE WORLD - Matthew TuiSamoa

Played from under something grade with Se'e, Bradley, Charlie, Robert Paris and all those boys back then - Willy/Will Aviga (Willy)

Played in a great era vs. arch-rivals, Mt Albert, Oats, U15 U17 U19 U21-annual semi-finalists, reached two U21 finals under the great Benjo Sefuiva. Played schoolboy & junior grade with my closest friends-some of the stars were Johnny Rabbit,the late Risman Hunt (uncle of Karmichael). Played for John Lika Brown & Salani Senior Bs 82 Knock Out Cup Champs, Reserves 83 undefeated 20-0 -lucky to captain Waha's 1985 senior B side to a second consecutive undefeated season. Johhny Iefata- the scariest sight in front of a goalpost. Very honored to play with so many great & talented Bulldogs- Tavita & Mani Solomona, Mac Laulu, Colin Satele,Simeon, Otto, Pete Yandall, Chang, Fred Keil, to name a few Came to the States on a gridiron scholarship and showed on the gridiron what Bulldog pride and ferocity was all about Great memories of our Prems beating Otahuhu 79 & 80 Fox . Fondest memories of our club stalwarts- Scotty Miller, Eileen Buchan, Mr P, Johnny Grieves, Alan Polley. Started my career with Afi in 75 - Onesemo toa Sagapolutele

Started as minors coach was colleen Williams Ray Williams mum played through the grades - Linwood John Viliua

Have been with the club as a player from juniors to premiers and have been an administrator (club Capt.) since 1993, coached the women’s from 1994-2003 - George Apelu-Tuimaseve (knee-caps, Sene, and many more.)

IT RUNS IN THE VEINS HAD A BLAST AND LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING A JAR THERE IN THE FUTURE - Maseesee Solomona (Mase)

Started playing for Richmond in 1972 under Ron Goodin then the Premier team under various coaches over the years, Bruce Castle, Ivan Erceg, Snow Northin, Ray Williams and Joe Gwynne. Hold some special memories of the 'old folks' of the club; Irene & Rene Buchan, Scotty Miller, Laura & Gordon Campbell, Snow Telford, Ray's parents and the many others. Along with two brothers, were part of the original 'Tokes' of Richmond. Highlights were the years of Ray Williams and Joes Gywnn era culminating in 79 with the Fox and other two trophies and the 'family atmosphere in the team, the Ah Kuois, the Drylands, the Varleys, Petersons, Taurua, Fepuleai, Buchans. Other memories were the mud, the mud and the mud of the park and the cold showers of the old clubrooms - Luther Toloa

Played with some great bunch of guys/friends....2 many to name. Still support the club through my son playing school boy grade. A special club through my teen years - 
Otis Lio (Oats, Flint)

Father never ever new I played league as typical Samoan immigrants it was all about union. Loved the club until we had to move south. Remember playing in a hot team consisting of players like Nanu Tuisamoa, Kenny, Andrew Ah Koi. Awsome jerseys -  Gus Faletasi Tanuvasa

At the age of 10, I use to sneak out of the house and follow my eldest brother Nogo down to league training, in the hope of playing Rugby League for my age group.
Girls weren't allowed to play in those days, so I had to settle with cheering for my brother from the sideline - Lele Sipeli-Schaumkel (Sipeli) (Lel)

Great memories and special friends for life. BITE 'EM!! - Steve Unasa

Going to the Railway Hall! $10 socials! After a hard game - I would bus home! GOOD 1! Pub crawls, Prize givings - "Oh do we still have them?" And lately meeting up with the Old boys - Masters! Players from old times and opposition! GO THE MIGHTY BULLDOGS! - Tavita Solomona

First played for Richmond at age 5 midgets and then went on to play for Ponsonby rugby until returning to Richmond under 13's.played to under 21 champs my main position was rake and utility I went to Grey Lynn Primary and Avondale intermediate and then MAGS 4 LIFE HAHA. I left NZ on a football scholarship to BYU via Price Utah with Onesimo Sagapolutele and Rob Billington. I now live in Honolulu Hawaii and if you are ever in Hawaii call me 808 782 6362 here are some old Richmond faces. I hope they bring a smile to your face as it does mine every time I look at it - Rob Marsom

Played a few games, life member, club captain, committee, coached. Friends are John Kite, Hec Martin, Brian Martin and Olga Toloa, Knew most of the Club members - Ken Campbell (Kenny)

1959 to 1961 as a junior and again from 1978 to 1983 as a premier grade player - Brian Campbell

Toby Millar, John Buchan, Robert Wells, Colin Low, Peter Biling were my team-mates - Vivian Yates

Played with Phil Dryland, Colin Pearson, Lathan Tobin etc through the Schoolboys and Grade Teams. Served on management Committee. Later years kicked around with Rob Hewitson & Ernie Newton - Dave Campbell

Johnny Buchan and Bernie Lowther went on to be great players. Norm Howard was our coach and also a golfer I re met in the 80's at South Head Golf Club. One of those great little men, died of cancer probably about 1990 - Don Roberts

My grandfather was a founding member of the club. I played from 1955 - 1965 - Colin Low (Musashi)

We won 7 championships and 9 knockouts in competition. I made 3 Auckland rep teams and one North Island Team. That was when Auckland played in Greymouth 1950 - Maurice Facoory (Reece)

Came back from Oz for one season my brothers and mate Moses Strickland were here started with the Senior Bs ended up alternating between Premiers and reserves, Joe Gwynne being Top grade coach what a legend learnt a lot from him except how to control my aggro. Played with some great players, club stalwarts the Solomona’s, Ah Kuoi's, Chan, Bonecrusher Pickering the great Gus and George Apples, Ben Sef and many more, made my firsts debut against Glenora and won reserves final great times lifelong friends, now involved with the Masters team on my return home, Cheers Poamo - Poamo Tuialii (Prom)

Came to Richmond with my brother Ki and John Fuimaono from the Manukau club.  Met up with the Richmond boys thru the 1986 Samoan pacific cup team. We came to play with the Solomona brothers, Afi and Andrew Ah Koui(then fred), George apelu Andrew brown, peter tuali'i,j.p, James Pickering, Steven goulding.great people,simple and humble.had a great time,especially in the bar!! - Paul Okesene

Dad brought me down to this club when i was 9 after he transferred from Te Atatu and I’m still there....bad mistake, once your in you never get out!!! – Nadene Tuimavave(Kaiser) (Nads)

I played U17 on the wing, we had about 2-3 Auckland rep players (Moro Davis, Patrick Clark etc...), we made the finals but got knockout, Simon Cassidy was our coach, I also coached the U14s for a season in 2000, we made the pennant semis before being knocked out by Ponsonby, I still love the club & support them, it was & still is were i first learned to drink and have some great friends even though I live out west - Allan Samuel (Sam)

Started out playing u12's under the master tutelage of my father Peter. Played a few more years before heading off to Australia with family. Played u18s and 21s on my return, always enjoyable with plenty of characters around, privileged to have played with some talented players as well, shot da doggies! P.S. famous Matty Guttz quote "Mate I think you need a heart transplant"..haha - Poamo Jnr Tuialii (Pom)

Played my 1st premier footy at Richmond with players like James Pickering, Matty Tuisamoa, Aleki Maea, Roy Tusa and Finau Lavea. Still go back there for a plate of Lindsey’s chop suey, curry and rice. Best club in Auckland, real family atmosphere - Lionel Pereira

Oh this place has been the best lots of good times in the club and especially on the field....made lots of brothers during the years and many more to come.... see you at training boyz!!! - Telea Lavea

We I reckon had a great team that could of gone all the way, with gifted players like Duke,Ming and Mina just to name a few that i had the honour of playing with Snowy and Brian and Big Dave and the Niuean Boys - Harry Manamana (manman)

Late for practices, late for games.....back to union - Thom Faleolo

Started playing for the fossils (legendary) as a 20yr old. Best ever learning curve from all the masters of the game Joe Kaiser, Fred Keil, Otts, Lapiti (John Tuimavave) Trini, Koko, Meki, Henry (wheelbarrow) Colin, Mate (Solomona) Saila (Saifiti -my second row partner) Henry Solomona(amazing ball skills for a big guy) Sene, Maurice, Matthew (Hunt), Ili, Samson, Lahorz bros, Lapano (Hitman) the late Afi (Honour playing with u) Mohe, went on to become one of the original senior a islanders first members with Teo Maunga, Feleke, Malaki boys, Farmer, Mia, Gino, Ikinofo, Latani, Terry, Andrew, Snow etc...(Rugby league at its best both in attack & defence 1994) played in only team to go through undefeated senior b (2000)(the most structured league game plan showcase) alongside legends like Tavita Solomona and Alipa. Alofi, Peter Clarke?? Lots more..best club always – Michael Fruean (wrestler)

Yea the club were i got to watch the big names play, the club that gave me the opportunity to play against some of the greats. the place where I endured so much input by players, coaches, managers, administrators, Family and friends. So yea those hills will always be there. Once a bulldog always a bulldog - Ben Strickland