The search for the Missing Hawks began in 2002 when the Club decided to honour the players who had played at least one senior VFL/AFL game with a special numbered Club tie that recorded their debut order.
At the inaugural HFC Hall of Fame Function held in March 2003 the Club only had contact with 271 players from a possible 816. 71 new players have since been added to the list with eight players making their senior debut so far in 2013. The Debut List now totals 887 players.
By the start of season 2013 the number of Missing Hawks still to be found stood at 36. To find Missing Hawks had become a somewhat more difficult task with the lapse of time. Only two families had been found in 2012.
The Hawks Museum was elated when Alan Matheson, a member of Richard “Dick” William’s family contacted the Hawks Museum in mid February. Alan who was researching family history had discovered the museum’s history pages on the Club’s website. Listed was a Dick Williams as a Missing Hawk and he wondered if he was his uncle who he understood had played in the late 1920s alongside his brother Lyall.
The museum become a touch disappointed when no follow up response was received as finding Missing Hawks had become a rarity. However all was not lost as after sending a number of enquiries to Alan the museum received a message in July from another family member, Graeme Williams who was a nephew of Richards Williams.
A visit to the Hawks Museum was arranged with the family of Richard Williams with a request would they have any photos of their uncle. The family was delighted to receive his Debut Tie number 117. Good fortune was to continue as Graeme’s brother Reg had a photo from 1925 that included the two brothers. The photo was one of the Middle Park Church of Christ Football team when they won the premiership that year.
Graeme was able to fill in a little background of his uncle Richard who began his football career playing for Camberwell in the VFA, followed by a stint with the Richmond Second 18 before joining his brother Lyall at Hawthorn. Richard played one game in 1929 with his brother Lyall playing 30 games, 1929 – 1930.
Both brothers were to become ministers serving with the Church of Christ. Graeme continued his biblical studies in America and settled there in the mid 1930s passing away at the relative young age of 51 in 1958. His Debut Tie is to be sent to his children who reside in Canada, British Columbia and Virginia and they will share their father’s Debut Tie.
Of interest, the Middle Park Football Team photo shows a third brother, Cyril who also was a minister with the Church of Christ. Cyril played 9 games with Footscray in 1930.
Meanwhile the search for the Missing Hawks continues and the list can be found by going to the Museum’s History pages. 
Middle Park Church of Christ Football team Premiers 1927, Richard (front row left), Lyall (front row right) and Cyril (second row, second in from right).
Graeme, his wife Kaye and brother Reg happily receive their uncle Richard “Dick” Williams debut tie number 117.
