RICHMOND great and club saviour Neville Crowe has died, aged 79.
A long-time servant who led the Tigers' famous 'Save Our Skins' campaign when the club was on its knees in 1990, Crowe passed away on Friday morning after a long battle with illness.
A star player from 1957-67, Crowe played 151 games and won Richmond's best and fairest award three times, in 1963, 1964 and 1966.
He was president through troubled financial times in the 1990s, a specialist coach, staff member and club vice-patron in a lifetime contribution to the Tigers.
President Peggy O'Neal paid tribute to Crowe for his enduring passion and commitment to the yellow and black.
"The club extends its sincere condolences to Neville’s wife Valy, his children, extended family and friends," she said.
"Neville was a giant of the Richmond Football Club. He was a Jack Dyer medallist, life member, Hall of Fame member and former president.
"His commitment to the 'Save Our Skins' campaign epitomised his love of this football club and we are both honoured and indebted that he is such an important part of our history."
Crowe made his senior debut in 1957 and became one of the finest players in Richmond history.
He captained the club from 1963-66, and represented Victoria nine times, earning All Australian selection in 1966.
He missed the 1967 premiership triumph because of the first and only suspension of his 10-year career.
Crowe returned to Richmond for the 1980 season and helped Richmond to a premiership as a specialist ruck coach.
Seven years on, with the club on the bottom of the ladder and in serious financial trouble, he returned as president and would lead a campaign to save the club.
In August 1990, Richmond went public that it needed to raise $1 million by October 31 that year, or it would be forced to fold.
The 'Save Our Skins' campaign exceeded that target by more than $30,000 and Crowe stayed on as president until August 1993.
The former star, who suffered from Alzheimer's in recent years, was an inaugural inductee into Richmond's Hall of Fame in 2002 and served as vice-patron of the club.
Tiger great Neville Crowe in 2014. Picture: AFL Photos
