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.fi,P i'1r4 7-9:f, !r. A Living Tradition that reachesto the Blackheath Proprietary School The Founders very Heart of the Game I n 1831 the BlackheathProprietary School -l-h" earlyhistory of BlackheathFootball Club I openedon the cornerof LeeTerrace and Black- I is so muchpart of the developmentof Rugby heathVillage. lts purposewas to educatethe Footballthat it is virtuallyan earlyhistory of the boysof the emergingmiddle classes. Today it is sportitself. the siteof SelwynCourt, a blockof flatsnamed It is appropriatethat the home of the first of afterone of the school'seminent headmasters. the great independentrugby clubs shouldbe Pupils started playingfootball to the Rugby in Blackheathin the southeast of England.lts Schoolrules in about1856. By 1858,old boys ground,on the Roman road from Doverto London, fromthe schoolwere playing rugby on thenearby is partof the ancientborough of Greenwichand heathwith theirfriends and foundedthe Black- lies8 milesfrom the centreof England'scapital heathFootball Club. city. Blackheathis steeped in the history of England.lt is remarkablethat no lessthan four William Burnett Alex Sinclair separateclubs, each the first independentclub The first Captain in the four very differentsports of Golf, Hockey, Athleticsand Rugby Football, were founded in or nearBlackheath. All are stillin existenceand all arestill independent.

Roman Origins I t is believedthat the Romansoriginally played I a gameresembling football and that this was carriedon afterthey had left Britain. The popularity Blackheath Proprietary School circa 1845 of the sportgrew considerably over the years but The FoundationYear remainedin forms barely recognisable by modern /\ ttnougnthere has been controversyover standards- contests between towns, villages and /tatne actualyear of foundation,Blackheath is John C. Sinclair R.E. Gower districts- unruly,passionate encounters without recognisedby the chroniclersas the oldestof "Come on the Club" toomany rules, let alone standard ones. all independentrugby football clubs. There is no doubtthat in 1858old boysof the schoolplayed ln the yearsimmediately following the Club's rugbyon theheath and in 1860attempted to form I formation,the game was playedmainly by William Webb Ellis an OldBoys'side called Old Blackheathens. Due teamswith closed membership, such as schools, ln 1823,legend has it, the nowfamous William to lackof numbers,non-Proprietary School play- collegesand teachinghospitals. This caused I WeOnEllis picked up the ball and ran with it ers werealways required to makeup the team, BlackheathF.C. to becomeknown simply as "the "witha finedisregard for the rules"during a foot- andso in 1862the old boyschanged its name to Club"to distinguishit from the various institutions ballgame at RugbySchool and, in so doing,ef- BlackheathF.C. On February12th 1912 a dinner againstwhich it played.The practicecontinues fectivelyfounded the "carrying"game of Rugby washeld to celebratethe 50th anniversary of this to thisday, with supportersstill cheering for "the Football. event(see opposite). Club"rather than "Blackheath." BlackheathFootball Club and clubsattending the first meeting to forma RugbyFoot ballUnion at the PallMall Restaurant on January26th the formationof the FootballAssociation 1871.Afterthe meeting the newly-electedPresident, A. | | ntil1863 the game of football had been a single Rutter,E.C. Holmes and L.J. Maton, a groupof lawyers, L/ undividedsport. However, there was no stan- weresent away to draftthe "laws"of the game.Of the dardset of rulesand captainshad to agreewhich twentyone clubs which met on thatday, eight were still rulesto playbefore a gamecould start. A meeting surviving100 years later. Those eight held a banquetto of clubswas calledat the Freemasons'Tavernin celebratetheir existence in 1971.Over the yearsBlack- London.The aim was to "establisha codeof rules heathhave provided 17 Presidentsof the R.F.U.Fred for the regulationof the gameof football."Eleven andLennard Stokes of Blackheathare the onlybrothers to haveheld this office. clubs attendedand formed "The Foot- Pioneersof InternationalRugby Wrtmlu by Nlxm of $e Ftmaws Tavm Cl&Xl ball Association".

Blackheathwas rep- Itr RULES !\ d.\( hdnn8tu nd.! h Francis .i.tr okh, n!\ I' hrd^t 'rn{il rriln! h dn Jl'Nd J!.i ,1. resentedby BlackhcathFotball Club, 1862. Maule Campbell, .tt who was elected 6drn' Treasurerof the As- t sociation.The Club tuL6 I I rh. rdl$tr r.hild nr rl expectedThe Foot- d,*bd .nJ,.aeh\hr'r

lackheathfirst playedtheir matcheson the open heath oppositethe Princess of Wales pub, which servedas both headquartersand changingrooms. lt was often the practicein those days for spectatorsto invade the pitch and, during a very competitivegame againstRichmond in'1877, the match had to be abandoned when a number of spectators,as well as players,were injured.Shortly after this the Club moved to a private ground called Richardson'sField. Despite moving grounds,Blackheath continued to use the pub until 1886even thoughit meantthat playershad to walk a mile or so to the ground.After the match they walked back The England team which played Scotland in 1871 to the pub where a dozen tin basinswere providedfor washing.The Blackheathv Richmondfixture is the oldest continuingmeeting of two rugby clubs in the world. Thiswas first played on January2nd 1864. A homeof their own - Richardson'sField

l\ /lembers of the Richardsonfamily are still associatedwith BlackheathF.C. I V Itoday. The family had close ties with the ProprietarySchool and the Club so it was understandablethat Mr Richardsonshould allow his field to be rented for games. The ground was on the north side of the Old Dover Road approximately where the A102 road is today. lt was on this pitch that Englandfirst met Wales in February1881. England won by sevengoals, one drop goal and six tries to nil. FourBlackheath players were in the sidewhich was captainedby FrederickStokes. Blackheath'sfirst Welsh club fixtureagainst Newportwas played in Novemberin 1879,and is the oldestAngloWelsh fixture. The Oxfordv CambridgeVarsity match England v lreland at the Rectory Field was also playedhere and continuedto be playedon the new groundat the Rectory March151890 Fielduntil it movedto the Queen'sClub in 1887. The Blackheath team of 1880-81 3 The Rectory Field The Street Family Rec- I n thewinter of 1882/83Richardson's Field was The Streetfamily looked after the I sold and so the Club had to look for a new tory Fieldfrom 1886until 1959when Bert Street retired.The photo below ground.Lennard Stokes knew the Rev.Swainson was taken in front of the pavilion in of St. Luke'sChurch in Charltonand asked him if 1905 and shows (left) Charlie Street the Clubcould play on thefield next to the rectory (1887-1 965), his son Len (1882-'t 918), in CharltonRoad. The Club's first opponents at the who was killed in VUW1,George, the Q ince1883, the Rectory Field in SouthEast Lon- just first groundsman (1854-1928),his newground, as theyhad been at Richardson'swifeLouisa (b.1854), daughters Nellie Bert (b.1920), son of s)don hasbeen the home of BlacfheathF.C. The was the last Field,were Guy'sHospital in an openingmatch (b.1874)and Violet(1896-1984), who Charlie, mainpavilion was built in 1886and the ground has groundsmanin the fam- seenseveral changes over the years. The building playedon Wednesday 17th January 1883. is seatedat the front. ilyline. accommodatingthe Club officesand Barbarians Bar was erectedin 1996.Below is a viewof the The Blackheath Cricket, Football & Lawn RectoryField taken during the summer of 2QO2. Tennis Company I n 1884Morden Cricket Club was unable to main- I taina wicketon the heath and asked if they could join the FootballClub at the RectoryField. The Maryon-Wilsonfamily, who ownedthe field rented by the church,offered a 21 year lease on the groundproviding a companywas formed to main- tainthe facilities. The Blackheath Cricket, Football and LawnTennis Company Ltd. was inaugurated in 1885to do justthat. The Companywas ableto purchasethe groundand the adjacent'Clarke's Field'in 1921.The stand,which had suffered fire damage,was then replacedwith a modernone, seating6,000, however, damage sustained dur- ing the secondWorld War necessitatedit being replacedwith the presentone in the early1970s. At thistime part of the landhad to be soldfor an extensionto the BlackheathBluecoat School. The companystill runs the RectoryField today.

Part of the main bar in the Club'smemorabilia. ofthe OlYmPic D ugbywas one Blackheathv Americrn The Inter-War Years played Playcd n( old Mcrchtnl l0ylors SchtxrlVvlr Mcrrorial ground lcddington | \sports in the WcdncsdayApril 21. | 914 Ctub 1stXV 1919-20,captained C.H. Pillman 1924 Olympic Games. Only three nationstook part in the comPetition; the U.S.A.,rePresented mainly by studentsfrom California, along with France and Romania. The event took Place between MaY 11th and 18th at the Stade Colombes in Paris. The American team

cBtru made a short tour of D H L CTYNBreHES,DSO,HC (e.!&l England prior to the Games where theY beat Devonport but lost to Blackheath & memberslost theirlives in the 'Harlequins. Orsl,:l,rWar. When rugby resumedaf- At the Olympics theY ter the war, "Cherry" , beat Romania 37 - 0 Pillman's team of and France17 - 3 to win 1919120managed to the tournament. win 23 out of the 25 games played, los- ing only to NewPort. Large crowdswatched the matches and Blackheath contrib- uted 8 players to the international scene that season. This period of the Club's history is well recordedin the Black- heath RugbyAnnuals. RectoryField of H.R.H-the These were first intro- On November20th 1g26,the Club were greatty honoured by the visitto the prince match againstthe New Zealand Maoris.Maior Begbie, duced by Col. W.S.D.Craven and were published of Wateson the occasionof Btackheath's playersto His Royal Highness.Before the game, the Maoris did from 1919/20until 1939/40when the outbreakof Hon. Sec.of the Club, introducedthe them success. Ihey won by 9 pfs' fo 5' the SecondWorld War curtailedrugby operations. their traditional 'haka'and it seemedto bring PostWorld War Two Rebuilding The Club Emblem he Club originallyused as their badgethat of the BlackheathProprietary School. lt was an un- /\ fter the Second World War, Rugby Football resumed, /-\Blackheath having to combine with old friends and ri- registeredassemblage of the coat of arms of Brandram,Cator and the See of Rochester,all of planning vals Richmondbecause the Rec- which were connectedto the school. In for the 1958-59 centenary season, it was decidedthat the tory Field was not available.The Club shouldhave its own emblem. A new designwas ground had been used as an anti- drawn by MonicaDunn, who was an artistand also the aircraft barrage balloon site, part wife of E.P.Dunn, captain of Blackheathin 1951-52.lt of the defencesof London. lt had is based on a heatherwith 7, 3 and 5 bells,and was also sufferedbomb damage. The first used on stationery.lt first appeared on Club shirts first post-wargame, on September in the 1972-73season. The designwas re-modelledfor 22nd 1945, saw some of Black- the 2004-05 season to reflect a new. more modern im- gRUGBYBLACKHEATH heath's players in the unfamiliar age for BlackheathRugby. Richmondstrip, with the opening game against Northamptonbeing The Club v Milan playedat Richmond. FESTIYAL f! lackheathF.C. played its The costof refurbishingthe ground lJfirst gameagainst an ltalian was so greatthat therewere doubtsthat it would be possible side on November23rd 1957. to continue at the Rectory Field. However,with help from Milli Vitale,an ltalian actress, the R.F.U.,the Club was able to returnto Blackheathwith a kickedoff the matchwhich the matchagainst Guy's Hospitalon 28th September 1946. The Club eventuallywon by 27pts. to 6. She is seenabove flanked FrmE tu 1946-'13, TEAlvtS, by the two captains,Harbini of Milan.and JohnWilliamson of theClub. In the followingseason, 1958- 59. the Club celebrated100 yearsof rugbyat Blackheath. The posterand action from the main Festivalof Britain Celebrationgame in 1951

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side was led by J.G.W.Davies, continuing where he had left off. He had captainedthe side in the final seasonbefore the On March 4th 1959,Blackheath played a Centenary war. The RectoryField was now being sharedwith the Lon- Seasonmatch againstthe Barbarians atthe WhiteCity Blackheath followed up a victory in the Gala Border Sevens Touma- don lrishclub. The ideawas to providefirst class rugbyat the Stadium.The Baa Baas'teamcontained thirteen inter- ment in 1957 by winning the Russe// Cargill Trophy in the Middlesex RectoryField each week, an arrangementwhich lasteduntil nationalplayers to the Club'sone. ln spiteof that, the Sevens at Twickenhamin 1958. The team, above, skipperedby John 1958when Londonlrish moved to Sunbury. Club lostby a respectablescore of 21pts.to 8. Williamson,beaf Saracens 76 pfs. to 3 in the Final. 'l'hc ItrernicrshipI)rcanr theAuckland Blues of New Zealandwere going to heath immediatelyintroduced a share issue to join forcesto producea rugby environmentthat raise n open meetingof Clubmembers on 25th March f1,000,000,which was the minimumlevel of ,[ functionedall year round. Executivesfrom Auck- fundingrequired, but this failedby the narrowest n1996 endorseda orooosalto amendthe Club's land arrivedand were establishedin the new Club of marginsbecause of time constraints.This and constitutionto form a professionalRugby Club at Office,built at the RectoryField duringthe sum- the suddenloss of the financialsupport of Frank Blackheath.This was ratifiedat the A.G.M.in June mer of 1996. The prolect,however, ran into trouble McCarthy,who diedin 1999,ended any immediate year. professional that The firstcaptain of the Black- whenconcerns arose not only over strife within English hopesof PremiershipRugby at the RectoryField. heathFootball Club was John Gallagher in the 1996/ rugbyand its Premiershipclubs, but also over the cur- At an E.G.Min January2000, Club members voted 97 season.He was a local boy who had movedto rencyexchange rate becauseof the strengtheningof to returnto beinga "one-clubClub," agreeing that New Zealandand becomea full-backfor the "All the pound.The squabblingbetween the RFUand the it shouldbe underpinnedby sustainablefinancial Blacks."The Club'snewsletter in spring1998 an- top Englishclubs causedthe New Zealandbusiness development,and that it shouldplay at the highest nounced,"The Birth of the Blues".Blackheath and consortiumbacking the schemeto withdraw.Black- levelpossible within those constraints. This was a hard learningcurve but one that Blackheathsur- vived,unlike a numberof other All Blacks John Gallagher,centre, well-establishedclubs who no John Schuster. left, and Samoan longerrank in the top flightof lntemational John Clarke Became Englishrugby. Blackheath stars biefly.

Mr.Carthy 1950-1999 n ffectionatelyknown as Big Frank'or /-\'Frank the Bank. he was an ex-player and Chairmanof BlackheathF.C. Frank's untimelydeath in 1999 necessitatedthe restructuringof the Club's financesand administration.In January2000, a new team of dedicatedformer players was in- stalled,including Frank's brother Pat. The aimwas to rebuildthe Club'sfortunes and getthe 1stXV backas a majorforce in lhe NationalLeagues.

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August1995, the door to full-scaleprofessional rugby was openedby an InternationalBoard ruling, but it wasnot until the 1996/97 seasonthat mostclubs were ableto take advantage.Matches between Richmond and Blackheathhave been playedsince 2nd January1864. lt isthe oldest 1st XV clubfixture still played anywhere in theworld. The above match, played in October'1996, was the firstoccasion on whichthe two clubs had met in the new professionalera. Richmond,backed by a millionaire,had a hostof Left, Graham Henry, Auckland Coach; Terry Hall, Blackheath referee; starsto callupon. Here Welsh International Scott Quinnell is broughtdown by MickHarris and MarkHanslip with Rob McCorduck John Baird from Auckland, acting as Blackheath Chief Executive: in attendance.Richmond's success was short-livedand the club went into receivershipwhen financialbacking was withdrawn. John Gallagher,Blackheath 1st XV Captain;Steve McHardy,Auckland Fortunately,Richmond's club memberswere able to preserveboth the club and its name and so gamesbetween the 1'' XVs of DevelopmentOfficer. The occasion was the Club'sunderl 4s Sporlsmans Blackheathand Richmondstill take placeevery season. Dinnerin November1 997 at the TrafalqarTavern in Greenwich.

\61 A New Millenium- Pain and Progressto Producea VigorousModern Rugby Club Ely tne startof the new millennium,the EnglishRugby Pre- lJmiership consistedentirely of professionalRugby Clubs, many of which were owned by millionaireentrepreneurs. Blackheath'sexperience of professionalismhad split the Club intotwo parts,the LimitedCompany running the 1st squad, and BlackheathF.C., looking after the amateursection, with littlecontact between the two. These divisions, as wellas poor resultsfor the 1stXV broughtmorale within both sections of the Clubto a lowlevel. A choicehad to be made,either to sell Sir Hal Miller Barry Nealon the Clubto financean attemptto achievePremiership status, Club President Club President or to remaina members'club. A decisionin favourof the lat- ter was takenat an E.G.Min January2000, leaving the new 1999- 2003 2003 - 2008 ClubPresident, Sir Hal Miller,with the difficultjob of healing thewounds. "A One-club Club" The newaim was to playat the highestlevel that could be I achievedwithin sustainable financial limits. The business sideand 1st XV squadwould be runby BlackheathRugby Ltd, a companythat had replacedthe liquidatedone. This would carryon alongsideBlackheath Football Club, the amateur sec- tion.The 2000/01season started with a vastlychanged and restructuredadministration. lmportant positions were filled by formerplayers who had the Club'sinterest at heart.A newar- rangementwas createdwhich gave every section, from Minis to Women'sRugby, representation at ExecutiveCommittee level.Sir Hal introducedthe conceptof a "one-clubClub," whereall sections worked together for mutual support. A direct pathwas createdwhereby a childwho joined the Clubas an under-7Minis player could progress through the Junior, Youth and Developmentsides, into the 1stXV squad,subject only to fitnessand playing ability. Toby Booth captained the 1stXV for the secondtime (the first had beenin 1994/95)and, with formerBlackheath captain Chris Kibble as HeadCoach, team spiritbegan to returnand, with it, resultson the field.Black- heathhad gone through a chasteningperiod and survived. In the2003/04 season Sir Halwas able to passon a rejuvenated Top: Action from the Family Fun day, an event which brings all sectionsof the Club together. This Club to the incomingPresident Barry Nealon,another ex- event is held each season at a 1st XV home game. Above: Former England lnternational Mickey captainof Blackheath(1973-75). Barry continued the workof Skinner presenfedthe awards at the 1st Blackheath Mini Rugby Festival, which took place at developmentto buildthe Club into its strongestposition for Eltham College on November 25th 2007. Over 1,000 children participated, their age groups ranging manyyears. from under-7 to under-l2. Ten rugby clubs from the South East were involved. Buildingfor the Future The 20O1lO2season was a turning point in I the Club'sfortunes, with a numberof initia- tives being introduced.Blackheath took part in youth and communityprojects, specifically in the voluntarysector, with enterprisessuch as Lew- $ ishamSportAction Zone. This provideda positive APORT sportingexperience for childrenfrom sociallyand Eflcl'AHD economicallydeprived backgrounds. "Sport in the ctt ilafr Park"was introducedas well as "Tag Rugbyon Certificatesconfirming that BlackheathF.C. is a safe the Heath"and "Sessions for Schools,"all admin- place for playersof all ages to learn the game and isteredby 1"tXV scrumhalf and Directorof Youth developtheir playing skills were presentedin 2005. andDevelopment, Mark Percival. Ateam of Rugby DevelopmentOfficers from Blackheathworked in A Modern Constitution localprimary, junior and secondary schools across l-\uring the 2005/06season Club members fiveLondon Boroughs and throughout Kent. Black- lJvoted to becomean lndustrialProvident So- heathcoaches also providethe rugbyelement in ciety,creating Blackheath Football Clnb Ltd.This the curriculumof the successfulLondon Leisure gave membersthe benefitof member-ownership, College,part of the GreenwichCommunity Col- coupledwith the legalprotection of limitedliability. legeumbrella. A Schools'lnvitational Floodlit Cup fn the 2007lOBseason, Blackheath also became was establishedto allowschools to take part in a a CommunityAmateur Sports Club (C.A.S.C.)to competitivetournament at the RectoryField. In this givethe Clubthe abilityto raisefunds in a tax-de- seasona shirtsponsor, Electricity Direct, was at- ductiblemanner. tracted,giving a boostto the Club'sfinances. Well Hall provides a large playing and training facility for all sections of the Club to enjoy mitteewas formedto securea groundlarge enough to containthe varioussections and to providean income to supportthe venture.In August 2007, Blackheath F.C.leased, for a periodof 25 years,the Universityof Greenwichsports ground (formerly the ThamesPoly- technicsports ground) at WellHall, Eltham. This was to provide5 pitches,an all-weatherpitch, and, importantly, a clubhousewith a largeroom and bar facilities,all of whichcould be usedby membersas wellas beingavail- ablefor outsidehire. Greenwich University Rugby still The Club at Well Hall hasaccess to theground and can also benefit from the fly the 2OOT|OBseason, more than 20 teamswere Club'scoaching team. Askeans R.F.C., who hadbeen lJrepresenting BlackheathF.C. As well as the 1"t, givena homeat the RectoryField, were also able to 2nd and DevelopmentXVs, there were teams from the moveto the newground. The Rectory Field remains the Men's,Mini, Junior, Youth and Women's sections. The homefor the 1stXV squadand all importantmatches RectoryField's one 1't XV pitchand smallersecond continueto be playedthere. The Club'ssecond home The successfu/ London Leisure College squad pitchwere proving inadequate for the needsof the rest at WellHall now provides a spacefor year-roundactivi- which reached the Daily Mail National Vase Final at of the Club.Teams were playing home games at a va- tiesnot always possible at the RectoryField because of Twickenhamin March 2006. rietyof locations,all of whichhad to be paidfor. A com- cricketin the summermonths. Blackheath Women's Rugby Football Women'sRugby Club. The team was captained fllackheath Women'sRugby Club startedlife by MaxineEdwards, who laterwent on to captain IJas the BromleyThunderbirds in 1985.lt was the England Women's foundedby KathrynHennessy and JanetWood. nationalteam, winning In 1988,the Women'sRugby FootballUnion 45 caps. Maxine'ssister (W.R.F.U.)set up a leaguesystem and the Thun- Jacquiealso won English derbirdsplayed in theFirst Division. In 1989they international honours, won the LondonSunday Rugby Festival and in scoringthe winningtry the followingseason reached the semi-finalof the for Englandat the 1994 NationalGhallenge Cup. At the startof the 19911 Women'sWorld Cup final 92 season,they joined BlackheathF.C. at the in Scotland.Six Black- RectoryField, changing their name to Blackheath heath playerstook part Women'sintemational rugby jerseysare prcudly dis- in thattournament. Since playedin the clubhousealongside the thoseof the men. then Blackheath have First WomensInternational: become establishedas one of the premierwomen's teams in the South Englandv Scotland East.Like all rugbyclubs, they enjoy both touring and hostingtouring sides. They have made many friendswith clubs overseas which they have either visitedor entertained.Women's rugby is now an integralpart of the BlackheathClub and they are endeavouringto work in the communityto prog-

The victoriousteam which won promotion to the Na- tional ChampionshipSoufh East 1 at the end of the TH 2006/07season. IDAY BLACKHEATH 92 fick Oll t2.15 SUIDAY SOUVEITIRPROGRAMME f2 29 tulARCH92 f^\n Sunday29th March 1992,the first women'sintemational lr,/fixture, between England and Scotland, took place on BlackheathF.C.'s original ground on the heath,opposite the Princessof Wales Pub. The game was held to celebratethe first-evermen's intemationalmatch played between Scotland and England.The Englishteam was organisedby Blackheath members and captained by the Club's FrederickStokes. The match was played at Raebum Plaee in Edinburgh on 27th ln 1995, members of Blackheath Women's Rugby modelled a working wardrobe for the summer season. March1871. Scotlandwon by 1G, lTto 1T. The article and photographswere published in the May The poster and programme@ver was designedby the artist, edition of 'Marie Claire.'Sfars of the show were; from designerand Club member,Eddie Pond. On the same day, the left (seated), SophieDuig; (standing) Kathryn Hen- commemorativeplaques were unveiledat the pub by Sir Brian The 2003/04season stafted with a successfu/tour to nessy, Maxine Edwards, Carolyne Ansell, Jane Oliver, JenkinsC.B.E., then Lord Mayorof London,and MickeySkin- Canadaand the U.S.A.Here the teamis at the home Sandra Soler-Gomez, Jacquie Edwards (sifting) and ner, EnglandWodd Cup Intemationaland BlackheathClub of Oftawalrish in Canada. Caz Zapatero. Captain,along with Welsh Intemational Cliff Morgan. Touring and Tourist almostcertainly under the captaincy of Lennard Rugbvand Golf at Blackheath Stokes, who won twelve international caps, and Tn" RoyalBlackheath Golf Club is the oldest interestingly,like Watson, I golf club in England,being 400 yearsold in was a Doctorof Medicine.** 2008. BlackheathF.C. is a mere baby in com- There is no suggestion parisonto that, being 150 in the same year. lt is that SherlockHolmes ever played the game, but he would certainlyhave been interested in uncovering the identity of "Jack the Ripper", mass murderer, who it was rumoured, was also a member of BlackheathF.C. Dr Lennard Stokes looks remarkablysimilar to the "Ihe Sussex Vampire film and TV image of Dr **Holmes and Watson by Watson. This original sketch of the Frankfurt match is contained June Thompson in one of the Blackheath scrapbooks. /f was painted by a young Sydney Weeks (1878-1949),the well-knowncaftoon- Murdereror Murdered? ist. The Club won 29-0. M.J. Druitt - Jack the RipperSuspect pl lackheath have always enjoyed touring and J Druittwas a talentedcricketer and was Hon. golf IJentertaining touring sides. On 20th September [\1| interestingthat England's oldest club, the I V I Secretaryto the BlackheathCompany. His name 1894, Frankfurtwas the first German side to visit oldestopen rugby Club in the world and the old- came to light as a possible"Jack the Ripper"in the Blackheath.In the followingApril, the Club visited est hockeyclub, Blackheath H.C, should all have notes of Sir Melville Mac Germany, playing both Frankfurt and Cannstadt, startedlife playingon Blackheath. Naghten,who was head of as well as successfullytaking part in an athletics Manyplayers have been a memberof boththe golf C.l.D.dealing with the Rip- tournament. lt seems that the experience was so and rugbyclub. For manyyears there has beenan per murders.lt was thought enjoyablethat Frankfurtadopted the Club's colours that Druitt may have annualgolfingfixture between the clubs,a tradition of red and black shirts. In 1993. Blackheathwas the committed suicide in the that is carriedon today. first Britishclub to visita SouthAfrican township at the Thames after killing Mary Historywas madeon 17thJune 1939when four- end of apartheidand the liftingof the sporting ban. Kelly,the lastvictim. teen membersof the Royal BlackheathGolf Club The Club played a match against Zwide United and D.J. Leighton,in his book provideda coachingsession for youngstersfrom the crossedthe Englishborder for the first time and on Druitt,"Ripper Suspect," township.Zwide Unitedbecame another club to adopt venturedinto Scotlandto play the Royal Burgess uncovers the secret life of the Blackheathcolours. GolfClub, the oldestScottish club. Included in the Druittand suggeststhat he The SherlockHolmes Connection teamwere J.T. Kemp, J.A. Whalley and R.C.Hub- may have been murdered bard all membersof BlackheathF.C. Just as the ir Arthur Conan Doyle'sfictional character, Dr by membersof the homosexualfraternity, which, at that Q first rugby internationalagainst Scotland involved \JJohn Watson M.D., the companionof Sherlock time.included the Dukeof Clarence.Druitt was knownto Holmes,played rugby for BlackheathFootball Club.* move in thosecircles. They perhapsfeared that Druitt's Club players,it seems fittingthat the rugby club Duringthe periodin whichWatson would have been dismissalfrom a boys'schoolmight have attractedtoo had representationin the first internationalgolf playing, the Club held its matches on the heath, much interest,thus leadingthe policeto them. clubencounter. Somcinfluential (llub Nlcmbers

Aubrey Spurling C.H.Pillman (Cherry) 1856-1 945 1890- 1955 Sir RowlandHill he HenryVassall English lnternational 1855-1 928 One cap for England, 1860-1 925 A.E.Stoddart before and after WW1. Only played once for is described in Marshall 1884- 1863-1 91 5 Credited with develop- Blackheath in the Old as a "Club Patriot"and a Caotain of Club god ing wing-forwardstyle of Crocksside of 1891.He "diligent recorder of the 1885. Creditedwith in- Was a sporting of the C.B.Fry 1872-1956 FredStokcs play. was however Chairman game".He wasthe Club's troducingthe three-player 1890s. Captain of Eng- Regarded as England's He was the Club's 1850-1 928 of the BlackheathCricket, historianand it is thanks three-quarter formation land at rugby and cricket. greatest 'All Rounder' first captainafter WW1 in He reoresented Black- Rugby and Lawn Tennis to him that the early play- insteadof the use of two He caotainedBlackheath playing cricket, soccer, 1919-1920,and did much heath FC at the meeting Companyfor manyyears. ing records were kept. three-ouarters then in in 1889-90& 1890-91and rugby and was holder of to restorethe Club's for- to form the RFU and was Presidentof the RFU for vogue. CaptainedBlack- was one of the Club's the world long jump re- tunes. His brother, R.L. its 2nd President aged He was a member of 3 years and knightedfor heath in 1884-85.He is finest players,turning out years. Pillman,was also an In- 24. Caotain of Club & the Blackheath Cricket, cord for 25 Played his services to Rugby. over 190 times. He died ternationalbut he did not captain of the first Eng- Rugby and Lawn Ten- regardedas one the best for the Club & Barbarians. He unveiledthe memo- land Rugby XX. A great nis Company for many ever rugbygenerals. on 3rdAoril 1915. This sketchwas drawn in survivethe conflict. rial to Club players lost Golfer& Kent Cricketer. years. 1894by S.W.Weeks. in WW1. 1.. $;\

Briq fi I Glynn PeterPioer KathrynHennessy l-1tt11l,t:s 1922-2007 F ,.'4 CBE.DSO NlC QHP. .. | 11:. , WearingColonel Begbie's Co-founderof the Brom- '. (Kid) I 1892-19/3 A.T.Young C.N. Lowe blazer with the Propri- Mick Skinnerb.1958 leyThunderbirds in 1985. "Hughie" was the first 1901 -1 933 't891-1983 etary School Badgeused (Mickthe Munc The team moved to the JacquieEdwards President of the Club Known as the "Pocket The most capped Black- by the Club until 1958. Harlequins,England, & Rectory Field in 1990 from 1930 to 1955 & Hercules",at 5ft Sins he heath player, represent- He was Club President the Club. Charismatic and changedtheir name Blackheath & England fourth President of the was a brilliantscrum-half ing England25 consecu- in 1966-69,Chair of the wing-forward known for to Blackheath Women's three-quarter,scoring in Barbarians from 1955 for Cambridge& England tive times between1913 BlackheathCricket, Foot- "Boshing"the opposition. RFC. Kathrynis an lrish the final of the Women's to 1973. He served with He was captain of the & 1923. Shot down 9 ball and Lawn Tennis Ltd The last householdrugby lnternationaland the first WorldCuo in 1994when distinctionin both WWs & Clubin 1926- 27. Diedol enemyplanes in WW1 & 1977 - 80. Originatorof name to play for the Club woman to be made a they beat the USA. Six was the flrst Medical Of- pneumoniaaged 32. was shot down himself. the lnternational& Club before the professional Vice-Presidentof Black- Club playerstook part in ficer to enter Belsen. GoldenOldies. era. heathFootball Club. the tournament.