Umpire Richard Williams retires

[Big Phil]

Dickie has finally hung up the whistle.

As much as you either love or hate him, he has been a great servant to South Australian umpiring and has had a great career.

UMPIRING STALWART HANGS UP THE WHISTLE

Long-serving SANFL umpire Richard Williams has today announced his retirement.

Richard began officiating SANFL games in 1987 and since then, has umpired a record 459 League matches.

He also holds the SANFL record for umpiring the most number of SANFL Grand Finals (11 – 1993, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010).

The six-time Golden Whistle recipient has also umpired 56 AFL matches.

State Umpiring Manager Shane Harris today congratulated Richard on a stellar career.

“Richard’s involvement as an eleven-time Grand Final umpire and a six-time Golden Whistle winner reflects the fantastic contribution he’s made to football,” Mr Harris said.

“He will continue to be an asset to the game off-field through umpire coaching.”

Congratulations on a fantastic career Richard, well done and good luck in retirement.

[bulldogproud2]

A good mate of mine and a great guy. He actually retired at the end of last season but was talked into having one more season. He thought if James and Chris could have one last year, he could too!
It will be fitting if his last game is also the last game for the twins.
Now he can concentrate on helping out at the mighty West Torrens Cricket Club where his son, Ben, is an excellent up-and-coming young cricketer (in State Junior squads).
Cheers

[Big Phil]

It will be fitting if his (R.Williams) last game is also the last game for the twins.

I think he missed out this year, I reckon I read somewhere on here that Haussen, Fila and Rowston were the League GF umpires.

[MagareyLegend]

Well thank goodness it is not Dey or Deboy.

I have nothing against either apart from the fact that they can't umpire.

[Wedgie]

Congratulations Richard, easily the best umpire of the 2000s in the SANFL.

[Captain_Bulldog]

Congratulations on a great career Richard. Certainly been one of if not the best umpire around for several years now and 11 Grand Finals speaks for itself.

Good luck in retirement.

Cheers
CB

[Groucho]

Again? Do we believe you this time?

Don't let the door hit you in the @r$e on the way out, please take Dey and Rowston with you.

[story of my life]

Still reckon the funniest thing i ever saw from an umpire was by williams at the bay.
Beinke had been sledging Williams all day and then Beinke made a lead, near the boundary in front of me and the old man and Williams has screamed out Dont drop your ******* head this time softc*ck. The look on Beinkes face when he took the mark and realised who sledged was gold

[Wedgie]

My favourite memory would be standing near the South Adelaide cheersquad at Noarlunga listening to them abuse Richard Williams when he was umpiring at Richmond.
Heard similar a few times over the years when he has been umpiring other matches too.

[CK]

My favourite memory would be standing near the South Adelaide cheersquad at Noarlunga listening to them abuse Richard Williams when he was umpiring at Richmond.
Heard similar a few times over the years when he has been umpiring other matches too.

It's amazing how many times Richard gets blamed for decisions at games that I'm at, yet you look up and he's nowhere to be seen.

Congratulations on a great career and while most footy fans have said their piece at a stage in a game, I reckon the majority would recognise that, for a long, long time, he has been one of the best umpires we have seen.

[mighty_tiger_79]

My favourite memory would be standing near the South Adelaide cheersquad at Noarlunga listening to them abuse Richard Williams when he was umpiring at Richmond.
Heard similar a few times over the years when he has been umpiring other matches too.

It's amazing how many times Richard gets blamed for decisions at games that I'm at, yet you look up and he's nowhere to be seen.
Congratulations on a great career and while most footy fans have said their piece at a stage in a game, I reckon the majority would recognise that, for a long, long time, he has been one of the best umpires we have seen.

thats cos of his influence over the umps at training

[Columbo]

My favourite memory would be standing near the South Adelaide cheersquad at Noarlunga listening to them abuse Richard Williams when he was umpiring at Richmond.
Heard similar a few times over the years when he has been umpiring other matches too.

Same thing happened at Alberton in the last round this year....when he was at Norwood.

Probably been the most "in control" ump we have had for years.

[hottie]

Always remember didnt matter out of the nine clubs,there would always be supporters from each of the clubs that Richard would always give decisions against the team that person supported.It was like nobody had any love for the man.Well done on umpiring for so many years.

[Dogmatic]

Any truth to the rumour he has retired as he is no longer the most hated umpire with Tony Dey umpiring?

[Reddeer]

Good on him

[Brucetiki]

Was it just me or did his umpiring improve over the last couple of seasons. With an increasing amount of AFL-esque interpretations creeping into the game, he appeared to maintain a more old school approach to umpiring.

Everyone loved to hate him, he knew that, yet he didn't get the ego like a Goldspink or Chamberlain - his response to the Gowans twins calling him a disgrace after the 2005 Grand Final where he pretty much laughed it off just one example of this.

It's funny but had he retired a couple of years ago, I would have said, 'Don't let the door hit you on the way out'. Now I think he will be missed as the umpiring becomes more AFL-esque.

[Ian]

Congratulations Richard, awesome effort, a great umpire and a great bloke as well, maybe if Jnr Williams sticks to it we will see him umpiring at league level one day as well, enjoy retirement.

[dogfish]

My favourite memory is a very cold night game at Adelaide oval, I think it was CDFC v Sturt. Hardly anyone there. Williams jogs round on his own for his warm up lap, and a supporter yells out.

"OH NO! NOT YOU WILLIAMS!!"

He nearly tripped up with a huge embarrassed grin on his face, as I think it was heard as clear as day as it echoed around the grandstands.


I also agree he became my most preferred as the most "invisible" umpire over the last couple of years letting the games run without all the technical frees.

So thank you, for doing a thankless job.

[sahboz]

Please take Dey into retirement with you

[bulldogproud2]

Was it just me or did his umpiring improve over the last couple of seasons. With an increasing amount of AFL-esque interpretations creeping into the game, he appeared to maintain a more old school approach to umpiring.

Everyone loved to hate him, he knew that, yet he didn't get the ego like a Goldspink or Chamberlain - his response to the Gowans twins calling him a disgrace after the 2005 Grand Final where he pretty much laughed it off just one example of this.

It's funny but had he retired a couple of years ago, I would have said, 'Don't let the door hit you on the way out'. Now I think he will be missed as the umpiring becomes more AFL-esque.

I have it on good authority that he gets on extremely well with Chris and James.. may well have been a bit of tongue in cheek with that remark from one of the twins!