The North Bay Sports Awards Committee is pleased to announce that the 2022 Dedication to Soccer Award winner is Richard Dull.
Richard’s family moved to North Bay from Bermuda in 1970, and two years later he started his soccer journey playing in the North Bay Kiwanis Minor Soccer League. Richard represented North Bay on several youth all-star teams that travelled to other northern communities, including Sudbury and Sault Ste Marie.
Longtime friend Gerry Rivet was thrilled after learning of Richard’s award selection this year,
“I first met Richard as a 12-year-old. I was coaching youth soccer and we needed a goalie. Somebody suggested a little kid named Dull, but they said he would be a handful," recalled Rivet.
"That he was…he was anything but 'dull'. He ended the season as the best goalie in the league that year. I could see that Richard had a passion for the game. He was chirpy, tenacious, and a lot of fun. As a 16-year-old, I called Richard up for a game on my 1st Division team, Reichold Chemicals, and that sealed the deal for him to play with us the following year, and in the 1st Division for many years to come. Richard added a different dimension to every team he was part of. He could play any position but found his niche as a striker. Congratulations Richard and thank you for all that you have contributed to soccer in North Bay.”
Gerry’s description of Richard as a striker could not have been more accurate. In the 1980s Richard established himself as a prolific goal scorer finishing near the top of the scoring race every season and winning several scoring titles, including one season where he scored an incredible 24 goals.
Included in Richard’s impressive soccer resume was a perfect 8-0 season and a 1978 NDA title with Chippewa Secondary School in the inaugural season of high school soccer in North Bay. In 1986, Richard joined an elite group of soccer players who represented North Bay, playing for North Bay Dynamo in the Petro-Canada Ontario Soccer League. He also represented the city in the North East Soccer Championships in Sault Ste Marie. In addition, Richard was a key player on multiple championship-winning teams in both the Men’s League 1st and 2nd Division.
From 1995 to 2011 Richard generously provided sponsorship for teams through the Bull and Quench in both the 1st and 2nd Division.
Near the end of his playing days, Richard took up officiating, calling games as a referee or working the lines for many years in the NDA, NOSSA, OFSSA, the Men’s League, and the OUA(Ontario University Athletics). He also travelled to Pennsylvania a number of times to assist with a U21 tournament.
A good friend and fellow referee Mike Long said, “Richard was as colourful as an official as he was as a player so calling games with him was always fun.”
When contacted, former teammate Nelson Roy also believes the award is well deserved.
“Despite his last name Dull, my recollection of my time growing up with and watching Richard on and off the field, was when it came to Richard…life before, during and after a soccer game was NEVER dull," he said.
"Despite his diminutive size, Richard played a fast and fierce brand of soccer. For defenders, it was always much more fun to play with Richard than it was ever to play against him. Given his opportunistic nature, defenders always needed to know where he was on the pitch at every moment. Fortunately, this wasn’t difficult as Richard’s outstanding talent with a soccer ball was only exceeded by his talent for relentlessly chirping during a game. No one was exempt from his quick wit and flare for the melodramatic.
"I had the great fortune of playing many years with and against Richard, and there are few players that I encountered who could match his passion for the game. His post-game commentary and analysis was legendary and unmatched. It wasn’t always accurate, but it was always hilarious. North Bay soccer lost one of its most unique and talented players when Richard decided to hang up his cleats. Put simply, North Bay soccer was lucky to have Richard Dull in it. I cherish the memories that he provided both and off the field and I feel fortunate to have played during the Dull era.”
"Congratulations Richard on this well-deserved recognition," the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame stated in a release.
Richard will receive his award at the 42nd Annual Induction and Awards Dinner to be held at the Davedi Club on Saturday, May 6th, 2023. Tickets are available by calling Bill Jacko at 705-492-3961.