Lou Richards pulled on the Black and White stripes of his beloved Collingwood Football Club for the first time in round six, 1941.

Little did those at Princes Park that day know the match against Carlton was the beginning of one of the most storied and loved Collingwood careers.

Richards went on to play 250 games for the Magpies. He was captain of the club for four years, was leading goal-kicker on three occasions and most importantly was a key member of the Pies 1953 Premiership team.

Below are a limited number of precious images of Lou Richards from his playing days. 

Vale Louie the Lip.







1953 marked the second of Richards' four-year stint as captain of the Collingwood Football Club.



Richards with fellow club legends Phonse Kyne and Syd Coventry.



A Premiership captain in '53. No doubt a highlight of Richards' 250 games in the Black and White.



Ever the favourite, Lou was a preferred point of interest of fans and cartoonists alike.



Richards with legendary coach Jock McHale.



A dead-eye in front of goal, Richards was Collingwood's leading goal-kicker on four occasions.



A career which started against Carlton in 1941 would go on to include many battles against the old foe.



Never one to sit quietly in the background, Richards is once again the centre of attention. 



"Louie was a terrific captain, always giving you lots of encouragement" - Richards' 1953 premiership teammate Neil Mann.



423 – Goals kicked by Richards during his Collingwood career, leaving him eighth on the club’s all-time goal kicking tally.



All eyes on Lou.



"He was always firing you up, telling you to get up if you were hurt and urging you from start to finish" - Collingwood Team of the Century wingman Thorold Merrett.



“It was the end of 15 years at the club, 15 of the happiest years of my life. When you are running around in front of 25,000 to 30,000 people, naturally you get a tear in your eye.” - Lou Richards on his retirement from football.