Rovers, Saints and Albions Rugby Football in Victorian Leamington

Introduction Although the modern Leamington Rugby Club was north and midlands. The need for uniformity not formed until 1926, there was an earlier town became more and more vital and so, in 1863, a club in in Victorian times, known as Leamington group of clubs in London met to draw up a common Rovers. Not much was known about them but it was set of rules. This resulted in the formation of the thought that this club folded at some time during the Football Association, whose rules favoured kicking 1890s, along with all the other rugby clubs in the and dribbling with the ball and incorporated some of area. By trawling through the local newspapers of the Sheffield Rules, such as heading. They banned the time and the various on-line sources now handling and the more violent features of the Rugby available, it has been possible to put together a game, including charging, tripping and particularly, record of the Rovers and the early years of the shin-hacking. rugby game in Leamington, when gas-light and horse drawn carriages were the norm. Blackheath and Richmond withdrew from the group and along with the other clubs that preferred a handling game, formed the Rugby Football Union, Rugby Rules in 1871. Separate codes for Association and Rugby The development of organised sport, including Football therefore came into being - the RFU “laws” football, was a feature of Victorian life. Football had (written by lawyers) being based on the Rugby its origins in games and pastimes dating date back School rules, but without the shin-hacking. Most to Roman times and in the middle ages, mass clubs decided to go one way or the other but some street-games were played in towns and villages played both codes during the early years of throughout the country on Shrove Tuesday and separation. other festivals. Edward II, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I all enacted laws banning football, due to its extreme violence, but despite this, the game survived and Many of the early clubs were simply teams which from the early 1800s, different forms of football formed organically through the efforts of committed were played in the major public schools, as a way of individuals. They were often school old boys, or providing hearty and healthy exercise for the boys. were based on firms, cricket clubs (looking for Each school developed its own set of rules to suit winter activity) and particularly church teams, as its particular circumstances. many clergy were ex-public school and had played the game. These teams usually had no assets and came and went, some merging and forming into Several factors came together which allowed the constituted clubs. The following clubs came into game to develop during the mid-1800s. When being in the Midlands over the next decade: Burton students left school or university (only Oxbridge (1870), Lutterworth (1872), Moseley, Northampton, then) many were keen to continue to play football in Rugby (1873), Coventry, Wolverhampton, Lichfield their home towns and cities, which were expanding (1874), Long Buckby (1875), Stratford (c.1877), rapidly. Working men were given Saturday Nuneaton (1879) and Leicester (1880). Leamington afternoons off and were looking for ways of using Rovers (1876) were one of this early tranche of their new leisure time to let off steam. The Midlands clubs. expansion of the railways was crucial as it allowed, for the first time, teams and their supporters to travel considerable distances to play one another. Although the 1871 laws remain basically similar today, there have been some significant changes, both in in how the game is played, the scoring With every school or club having its own rules, method, the refereeing and the terminology used. when they came together, their captains had to Some of the early rules are summarised below. agree which to ones to play to before the start of each game. At Rugby School, William Webb Ellis is famously said to have picked up the ball and run it The number of players per side was formally over the goal line during a match in 1823. The reduced from 20 to 15 in 1877, but numbers were technique of “running in” to score a “try at goal” was probably fluid in the early days, because of player subsequently included in Rugby’s rules in 1845. availability and particularly when involving clubs that The Rugby Rules became popular and were spread alternated between Rugby and Association. widely by old boys. The first clubs playing to these Positions on the field were different or were rules were formed in the 1840s – Guy’s Hospital described differently. The usual 15 a-side line up (1843) is thought to be the first and others soon was – 1 back, 3 three-quarter backs, 2 half-backs followed. and 9 forwards, who did not have set positions. The style of game involved less passing and was based on the forwards scrimmaging and dribbling the ball Other forms of football were developing however, to gain position for the half backs to attempt a drop with the kicking style becoming ever more popular. at goal, a kick from a mark or a pass to the three Sheffield Football Club (1857) drew up its rules (the quarters, for them to touch down as close to the Sheffield Rules) which became widely used in the

1 posts as possible, to facilitate a try at goal. The 1875 a match was played under Association rules game was decided in favour of the team scoring the between Gingeriferas and Coventry Wanderers, most goals. In 1885 the scoring was changed so which was drawn. The local side comprised – J.M. that if the number of goals was equal, the game Feasey, K. Young, Bone, Gibson, P and T. would be decided by the most tries scored. More Muddeman, Curren, G. Rogers, Jones, Standbridge informally, other methods of count-back or “minors” and Tredwell. were used to decide the winning team, or “the draw in favour” of the side which had forced the Some of these players appeared in an embryonic opposition to concede most touches, or touchdowns Leamington town side, which began playing under behind their own line. A points’ scoring system was Rugby rules against local opposition in 1875-76. not introduced until 1888-89, which gave 3 points Nineteen year old, H.C. “Hal” King is credited as for a goal, 2 for a penalty goal and 1 for a try. These being the driving force behind the formation of the values were changed in 1891 to allow 5 for a goal, 2 side and was regarded as its star player. He had for a try, 3 for a penalty and 4 for a drop goal, or a recently moved to the town from Marlborough kick from a mark. School to take up articles with Field & Sons, Solicitors. The refereeing of the game in the early years was done by the two captains. By 1871 both sides On 20 November 1875 the “town club” played provided an umpire, but the captains remained as against Whitnash Cricket and Football Club, at the arbiters of all disputes. These were common Leam Terrace East, with Whitnash coming out on and there are many local references to crowd top. On 5 February 1876 they played Leamington trouble and teams walking off in disgust at the College at the College Ground. The Leamington perceived unwillingness of their opponents to side was: Hill (back) - Standbridge (3/4) – Field, umpire fairly. Independent referees (with whistles) Beck (1/2) – Young, Gascoigne, Rogers, Littlewood, first appeared in the 1885-86 season. Rogers, Shaw and King (forwards) - The game was 11 a-side. Leamington won with King kicking 3 goals and Young kicking another 2, plus 1 try. No The Beginnings other results are recorded for that season. The specific reasons for the forming of a football club in Leamington are not clear, but the circumstances of the town made it a fairly obvious 1876-77: Rovers formed development. It grew from being a small village of th A meeting was held at the Manor House Hotel on around 300 people at the start of the 19 century to 19th August 1876, to form a permanent football club become a prosperous spa resort, with a population in the town, to be known as Leamington Rovers. of almost 23,000 by 1881. Its expansion and H.C. King was in the Chair and he was elected as prosperity was due largely to the popularity of the club captain. W.K. Young was elected as Treasurer salt water treatments available. This attracted many and Secretary and the Committee comprised wealthy visitors and residents and healthy exercise Messrs. F. Glover, C. DuMoulin, J. Beck, W. was advocated by the eminent medical men of the Gascoyne and C. Standbridge. The initial town as an accompaniment to their medical membership was 40 and other gentlemen wishing therapies. to join in the “capital winter sport” were invited to send in their names. The Committee then drew up Various sports and pastimes developed in order to the rules of the club and intended that, besides satisfy and entertain the growing population. The playing both Rugby Union and the London and local hunt met on six days a week and the Sheffield Association rules, the club should also Leamington Grand Steeplechase was first run in play hockey and other games. The colours adopted 1826. There were various local cricket teams from were red and white. Home games were to be the 1820s onwards and the town also hosted major played at Leam Terrace East, which was also a archery events Leamington Real Tennis Club was venue for cricket matches. The field is thought to opened in 1846 and the first Lawn Tennis Club in have been where the reservoir is now situated, the world was formed in 1872, three years before behind the New Inn and the allotments, as shown Wimbledon. The railways reached Leamington in on the map below. 1844 and put the town on the main line from Oxford to Birmingham, with spurs to Rugby and Coventry. The proximity of Rugby School meant that it was likely that some of its former pupils and masters lived locally and promoted the game here. Leamington College was a minor public school from 1852 until 1902 (not to be confused with the more recent Leamington College 1902-1974) and it was also the major winter game there and at Warwick School.

There is very little recorded of local football games in Leamington in the early 1870s. On 13 March

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In its first proper season, the new club played 21 excellent songs added much to the enjoyment of matches, winning 13, drawing 4 and losing 3, with the evening [Lloyd George was 14 at the time and one result unaccounted for. The first game was was unlikely to have known any of their fathers!]. against Allesley Park College, a boarding school for boys. Coincidentally they were also the first opponents of the Coventry club. The game was won but no details of the score or line-up have been found. This was followed by a success against Leamington Rovers 1876-77 Stratford College. The first club opponents were Allesley Park College W Edgbaston Crusaders and they inflicted the Rovers’ Stratford College W first defeat. After securing a draw against Exeter Edgbaston L Nil 1g 2td H College, the Rovers played at All Saints School, Exeter College D 1g 1g Bloxham, with a weak side, and in a continual D2 All Saints, Bloxham L Nil 4g A downpour the school triumphed by 4 goals to nil. D6 Leamington College W 10g Nil H The game was 9-a-side and this earliest known line- D9 Coventry Association W H up was - E. Young, Bell, Howard, Gascoigne, Leamington College W 8g Nil Summerton, Maycock, Gill, A Wheal and R Wheal. D16 Stratford Town W

Scorpions D On Wednesday 6 December the Rovers took on Stratford Town W Leamington College at Leam Terrace. This game was described as having been played in about half J13 Banbury W 3g 2t 12td Nil A a foot of slush and water. The College boys fought J20 Rugby Crusaders W 1g 1td 1g H hard but they were overmatched and their “lack of J27 Edgbaston D 2td Nil H amphibiousness” told against them. The game was F3 Stratford College W won by 10 goals to nil and the students didn’t fare F10 Coventry Association W 2 0 A much better in the return fixture later in the season, BNC Flutterers W going down by 8 goals. This began a winning run, Rugby Crusaders D interspersed with the occasional draw, which Coventry L Nil 3t A continued throughout the winter months. Opponents M24 New College H included Stratford Town, the Scorpions, Banbury, Rugby Crusaders and BNC Flutterers. The Rovers did not lose again until mid-March, when they went down by 3 goals to nil, in their first fixture against Coventry. 1877-78

The second annual meeting the club was held on Although it was intended that the Rovers would play October 21 at the Manor House Hotel. W. Willes both Rugby and Association Rules, as far as is consented to become President of the club, H.C. known, only two Association games were played King was re-elected as captain and W.K. Young this season, both against the Coventry Association and G. Gill became joint Treasurer and Secretary. club. These games were won comfortably. In the H. Field, W. Bell, J.P. Beck, W. Gascoyne and C. second game, W. Gascoyne scored both goals in a Standbridge were elected to the Committee. The 2-0 win. There are reports that Association Football main decisions to come from the meeting were to was frowned upon by the local establishment and raise annual subscription levels to 5/- (25p) and to that the more familiar game of Rugby rules was award medals for the best drop kick and place kick preferred for gentlemen, despite a lot of bad at goal, to be decided on in an end of season publicity concerning its violence and barbarity. The competition. first Association clubs did not appear in the town until around 1890 Although matches had been arranged with most of

the surrounding clubs, as there were few of these, By the end of the season the membership of the the fixture list still depended heavily on games with club numbered around 100, although some 20 of local school sides. The season commenced at the original members had drifted away. There were Leam Terrace on 20 October against Stratford around 40-50 players and although teams were College. The boys were outweighed and Rovers reduced to 15 players during the season, this was won by a goal, converted by King. Three losses somewhat academic as Rovers often had to make followed – to Edgbaston, Birmingham Athletic Club do with 9 or 10. As to individual performances, it and Wednesbury Strollers. The Wednesbury game was reported that skipper H.C. King, played fairly was in the first round of the Birmingham & District well at three-quarter and was described as being Cup, and was lost 5-0. It was probably the last lucky with his dropped goals. Rutherford and Bell Association game played by the Rovers. also played well in the backs. Of the forwards, E.

Young and G. Gill “played up to their well-known The Rovers’ form picked up after that and Rugby form” and of the new players: W. Young, R. Wheal, Crusaders were beaten in the gloom at the end C. Standbridge and Walmsley made great progress. November and Stratford were beaten twice. For the The club held its first annual post-season supper at Edgbaston game in January there was a breakdown the Crown Hotel on 19th April. About 25 members on the Hatton line which delayed the start. The and guests attended and H.C. King presided. Some game was then curtailed due to bad light and the

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Courier does not record the result, which appears to with a skull and crossbones on the chest. This was have been a draw. The closing match of the season the same emblem as used by the School House of was the return game against Coventry, played in Rugby School. The connection, if any, is not known front of some 600 spectators, at Leam Terrace. As but it was popular with a number of clubs at the with the first match this game was drawn (in favour time, including Cardiff and the Barbarians. Ground of Leamington) with Coventry conceding five admission prices were set at 6d (2.5p) and 3d. touchdowns to Rovers’ one. The side was – H.T. Rutherford - H.C. King, W. Bell - G. Gill, E. Wheeler As the season was about to get underway, the - C.D. Curry, Hawkins, W. Howard, T. Winterton, C. Courier published a letter from H.C. King, stating Standbridge, W. Gascoyne, F. Glover, Thornley, that only 27 of the 87 members the previous season W.R. Branson, Hodkinson had paid a subscription. Therefore it had been decided that for this coming season, no-one who had not paid would be issued with a match list. It Leamington Rovers 1877-78 was also noted, in order to counteract crowd O20 Stratford College W 1g 4td 1t 2td H trouble, that under no circumstances would anyone O27 Edgbaston L A except the two umpires be admitted within the N3 Birmingham Athletic Club L Nil 1t H roped off area around the pitch. Frank Glover, the N10 Wednesbury Strollers L 0 5 A editor of the Courier, wrote to his own paper the N17 Allesley Park College A following week as Treasurer of Leamington and N24 Rugby Crusaders W 1t Nil H South Warwickshire Cricket club with a similar D1 Rotten Park, Bham A complaint about non-payment by his membership. D8 Stratford W 3t Nil H So frustrated was he that he said that the post of Treasurer was” an office I would be glad to resign if D22 Coventry D A any ambitious person is desirous of that honourable D29 Moseley H distinction”. Some things never change and the J5 Handsworth A issue of non-payment of subscriptions would come J12 Edgbaston D A to haunt the Rovers later on. J19 Stratford W A J26 Rugby A The opening game was against Birmingham Athletic F2 Coventry Association H Club on 12 October. The Birmingham side came out F9 Moseley A on top by a goal, a try and a “poster”, to a try and a F16 Rugby L Nil 1g + td A disputed try. Ratcliff and King touched down for M9 Coventry Association A Rovers who were unlucky that they were two men M23 Coventry D 5td 1td H short from the start and then lost Ratcliff to injury for M30 Handsworth C - - H most of the game. Wins against Stratford College, Stratford Rangers and Queens College, Birmingham followed. The backs were in grand form In all, 16 games were played with 8 wins, 4 draws against Queens’ with King scoring a magnificent and 4 losses. This was down on the results of the drop goal to add to tries from Gill, Beck and Fagge, previous year, but 8 of that team had left the club one of which was converted. The second defeat and ill health deprived them of the services of K. came against Leamington College when Rovers Young, one of their more energetic forwards. There went down by 5 goals to 2, fielding a scratch side, was a host of new forwards including Leaver, with only five Rovers’ players - the rest being Winterton and Jackson, but the established outsiders. members, including: Howard, Gascoyne, Glover, Standbridge, Gill, Beck Rutherford and King were The game against Edgbaston Crusaders, on 7 still “well to the fore”. A second team played December, was an evening kick-off, played under Warwick College in December. The only other local the new-fangled electric light, near the Greyhound club mentioned in reports was Whitnash, who Inn at Emscote. A number of experimental games defeated Rugby 2nd XV in February. of this sort were being held around the country at the time. The Courier’s report of the game is reproduced below and states that the game was abandoned as a draw when the lights failed for a second time after the interval. Rovers were leading 1878-79: King abdicates by a try and 2 touchdowns to 1 touchdown at the time and claimed this as a win. The event was not The third AGM was held at the Avenue Hotel on regarded as a success and was not repeated. Tuesday, 2 August 1778. W. Willes was re-elected as President, with H.C. King remaining as captain, There was then a long freeze between the middle of supported by W. Bell as his vice-captain. Messrs December and early February. It is not clear Standbridge, Gascoyne, Field, Curry and Young whether there were any games played during this completed the committee. It was decided to field an period, but things got underway again when Rovers occasional second XV this season, to play the won the return fixtures against Leamington College, second strings of Warwick School, Leamington Stratford and Edgbaston Crusaders, scoring a total College and Stratford College. C. Wincote Jnr was of 11 goals, 12 tries and 42 touchdowns in the three elected to captain the side. The Club decided to games. Further successes against Stratford change its colours, from red and white, to black,

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College, Edgbaston and Queens College Oxford off-shoot of the Rovers. The captain was Lt. King, followed. “Many a bruised shin bore testimony to the Secretary was Q.M. Sgt. Beck and others were the hard fought game against Oxford”. The third dual members. They also played at Leam Terrace defeat was at Coventry in the last match of the East. The Volunteers were scheduled to play the season when the Rovers were “over-weighted” by Rovers twice during the season but the results are the home side. not reported. It was thought at the time that the Volunteers had the potential to become a top club and it was noted that other well supported smaller clubs were now playing rugby in the area.

H.C. King (pictured below) announced his resignation as captain at the end of the season after leading the club from its start. He was moving away from Leamington for business reasons. Tributes were paid to him at the annual supper at the Angel Hotel on 5 May. The setting up and success of the Rovers and the growth of football in the area was largely due to him, and other sports had also benefited from his exertions. His other main sporting interest was cricket and whilst in Leamington he played for the Gentlemen of Warwickshire in 1877. After leaving Leamington he moved to India where he became a leading light in the Madras cricket club for whom he played between 1882 and 1903. He played one game for the MCC in 1895 when home from India. He received a knighthood in 1906 in reward for organising the Prince of Wales’ Royal visit to Madras. He also established the King and Partridge law firm, which drew up the constitution of the Indian Cricket Board in 1920, the year he died.

The end of term report was that it had been another good season, with only 3 of 14 games lost, two of which could be put down to the misfortune of having to play short. With regard to individual performances, the two veterans, W. Gascoyne and C. Standbridge continued to “play-up hard” despite not being as quick as before and were an example to the other forwards, who played well, in particular: Williamson, Winterton and Wheildon. In the backs, Harry Field distinguished himself as did George Gill his half back partner. Curry played splendidly at three-quarter along with King.

Another local club came into being this season when members of the 10th Warwickshire Rifle Volunteer Corps held a meeting at their Stores on 11 September 1878 and decided to form a football club, playing under the Rugby rules. They appear to have intended to call themselves the Rover and Store Club but became known as The Volunteers. Subscriptions were 2/- (10p). In effect they were an

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Leamington Rovers 1878-79 Rovers then entertained Coventry and won O12 B’ham Athletic Club L 1t1dt 1g1t A convincingly by 3 goals to nil. King ran the show O19 Stratford College W 1g1t Nil H scoring a brilliant try and kicking all three goals. The O26 Stratford Rangers W 1t5td Nil A following Saturday they joined up with Coventry in N9 Volunteers playing as a joint side against Rugby, Burton and N23 Queens College B’ham W 2g3t Nil H Derby as a trial for the Midland Counties side. The N30 Leamington College L H local combination won by 2 goals and a try to 1 goal D7 Edgbaston Crusaders W 1g3td 1td H and a try. A number of results are missing but wins D14 Edgbaston are recorded against Edgbaston Crusaders, Stratford and Leamington College (Past & Present) D28 Coventry prior to Christmas. This good form was carried over J4 Coventry H into the new year, with wins against Wolverhampton J18 Volunteers Lancers and the return game against Stratford, F1 Queens College B’ham A when Bellot, Crawford, Gascoyne and Standbridge F8 Leamington College W A all scored tries and veterans Standbridge and F15 Stratford W H Gascoyne kicked goals. The only other results F22 Edgbaston Crusaders W 3g 5t 1t H found are against Banbury, who Rovers drew with M1 Stratford College W 2g1td A and then lost to near the end of the season. The M8 Birmingham Athletic H line-up against Stratford Rangers in January was – M15 Edgbaston W 1g2t+tds 1td A C. Hannay - C.D. Curry © Crawford - Bellot, Howard M19 St John’s College, Oxon W 1g3td 1t H - Standbridge, Gascoyne, Branson, Young, Hiron, M29 Coventry L A Hancock, Mills, Mitchell, Ricketts, Beck

1879-80: Dust up with Moseley The Midlands Counties Union was formed in September 1879. This remained as the constituent “county” body until 1914, when Warwickshire split away and later separate unions were formed for Leicestershire, North Midlands and East Midlands. H. C. King, who was still playing locally in the early part of the season, appears to have been instrumental in setting this up. The first county game was against Yorkshire on 14 February, with a number of Leamington players (highlighted) in the Midlands line-up of - H.C. King G. Ratcliff – H.E. Ratcliff, F. Ratcliff – A. Mason, H. Evershed – E. Field, C.D. Curry – Whittaker, Bourne, Hopewell, Evans, Hunt, Sugden, Rotherham

The club general meeting was held at the Avenue Hotel on 5 September. Mr W. Willes was elected to continue as President with H.C. King as Vice- President. Harry Field was elected to succeed King as captain with George Gill his sub-captain. Gill was also elected as Secretary and Treasurer. The Committee comprised C.D. Curry, E. Field, W.K. Young, C. Standbridge, W. Gascoyne, W.R. Branson, and J. Reid. King was presented with a club cap in recognition of his services as captain.

The Rovers began their season with their first game against Moseley on 4 October. It might have been their last as the game was abandoned with 20 minutes to go following an incident when a Moseley player delayed releasing the ball at a scrimmage and it was kicked out of his hand by a Leamington player, resulting in a drop goal by King. The umpires could not agree on the application of the laws and the game ended in acrimony and prompted letters to the Courier, as shown opposite. The circumstances were referred to the RFU, but the outcome is not known, although the Birmingham Mail shows it as a win for Leamington.

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The Volunteers held their second AGM on 26 was followed by a defeat at Edgbaston Crusaders August 1879. Lt H.C King resigned as captain, as the following week, when Rovers were unable to he had from the Rovers and Lt. Frank Glover took field their best backs and went down heavily. A first over from him, with Sgt. Beck becoming his vice- ever game against Burton was won against captain. Pte. W Gascoyne was elected as secretary depleted opposition who are reported as fielding and Sgt. Wheal as Treasurer to complete the only 11 men. Smith scored the only (disputed) try. Rovers’ connection. In this, their second season, the Volunteers had developed a strong fixture list, Dudley was another first time opponent and their including teams played by the Rovers. The known visit to Leamington proved to be an unpleasant results are that they beat Coventry St Marys, won affair. According to “The Midland Athlete”, and lost to Edgbaston Crusaders and lost to newspaper, Dudley were developing a reputation Handsworth. Their line-up against Dudley in for unsporting conduct. Two of the three tries December was – Bloomfield – W. Gascoyne, scored against Dudley were disputed but the Cleverley – E. Davies Hawkins - Ratcliff, Wheildon, remaining one still left Rovers as narrow winners. Randall, Lewis, Read, J. Gascoyne, Hawkes and Rugby were extremely lucky to sneak a win in the Watkin. next game, which started late and had to finish after an hour, with Rugby exhausted and hanging on.

Leamington Rovers 1879-80 The new year began with a narrow win over 04 Moseley W 1g2td 1g1td H Banbury, which was followed by the first meeting of O11 Coventry W 3g Nil H the season with Coventry. On a hard frosty ground O18 Joint match W 2g 1t4td 1g1t the game began with 14 against 12 until the O25 Rugby H stragglers arrived late. Power scored the only try, N1 Edgbaston Crusaders W 2t Nil A converted by Crabb, to give Rovers the win. The N8 Stratford W 2g1t Nil A Rovers’ team was - Mulliner – Pritchard, Crabb, N15 Queens College B’ham. H S.D. Crawford, - G. Gill, H. Bellot – C. Standbridge, N22 Wolverhampton Lancers A W. Gascoyne, Wheal, Power, Browne, A.S. N29 Past & Present W 4g1t 8td Nil A Wheildon, Smith, P. Winterton, Howard. D6 Stratford College D13 Past & Present H Of the remaining fixtures, most of the results are missing, but wins were achieved against D21 Stratford Leamington College (Past & Present), Rugby and D28 Handsworth H Banbury, with Wilkins and Bellot scoring tries. A J3 Wolverhampton Lancers W 4t Nil A game against Handsworth resulted in a draw. The J10 Stratford Rangers W 2g5t 9td Nil H newly formed Leicester club were another new J17 Handsworth A name on the fixture list in their inaugural season J24 Wolverhampton Lancers H and two games were scheduled. The results are not J31 Coventry A recorded. Overall, of the scores that can be traced, F7 Rugby A Rovers won 8, drew 2 and lost 3. F14 Moseley A F21 Banbury Rovers D H Leamington Rovers 1880-81 F28 Queens College B’ham A S25 Leamington College D H M6 Edgbaston Crusaders H O9 Moseley L 1td 3g5t2td M13 Stratford College H O23 Allesley Park College W 2g+tds Nil H M20 Banbury L Nil 1g1t A O30 Edgbaston C& LTC W 1g2t2td 1t H M27 Past & Present H N6 Edgbaston Crusaders L 1td 3g3t1td A N13 Burton W 1t4td 1td H N20 Dudley W 2t 3td 1t1td H 1880-81: More disputes N27 Rugby L 4td 1t1td A D4 Allesley Park College W 1g1t7td 1g A The season opened with a game against D11 Leamington College W 1g1t Nil H Leamington College. It was drawn in favour of D18 Handsworth L Nil 2g2t A Rovers although they played two men down throughout. Moseley then proved far too strong and D27 Leicester H won easily by 2 goals and 5 tries to a solitary touch J1 Banbury W 1t 0 A down. Allesley Park College were beaten J8 Coventry W 1g3td 1td H comfortably at the end of October but the return J15 Edgbaston Crusaders H match, a few weeks later, ended prematurely in J22 Burton A controversial circumstances, as the overpowered J29 Rugby H students sought to avoid defeat by the refusal of F5 Edgbaston C& LTC A two legitimate tries against them. Rovers felt that F12 Leicester A enough was enough and claimed victory through 2 F19 Stratford College H Pritchard tries, one of which was converted. F26 Past & Present W 1g1t+tds 1t H M5 Rugby W 2t Nil H Results were patchy through the autumn. A win M12 Leamington College A against Edgbaston Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club

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Elsewhere in the town, the Volunteers’ fixtures are continually offside and over-rough in their style of not recorded. One new name that does appear is a play. Leamington lined up as follows: A.S. Brown - team comprising employees of Nelsons’ (Emscote). MacCauley, Bullock, L. Richardson, H. Bellot – They called themselves The Buffs and played Pritchard, G. Gill – Harding, T. Winterton, C. Smith, against the White Star Club. A team known as W.H. Rawlinson, C. Standbridge, Leaver, and Warwick Excelsior played Stratford Town. The Green Midland Counties played Yorkshire, Oxford University and Gloucestershire. G. Gill, A.S. Browne The number of local teams was continuing to grow. and H. Rawlinson all played for the Midlands. Southam played their first game on 26 November when they entertained Leamington Gas Works. The game was drawn in favour of the visitors. Southam 1881-82: Midlands Final played away to Leamington Volunteers at New Year th and lost by 1 try and 2 touchdowns to nil. The The General Meeting was held on the 24 of Volunteers also beat Rugby in March. Leamington September at the Bath Street Hotel with Edward College (aka Collegiate School) were still active Field in the chair. There was a deficit of £14 on the with a limited fixture list, which included Stratford previous season, due largely to the provision of College and Rovers. The school also played against ropes and stakes to control spectators. Arrears of Rovers as a Past and Present side. The Warwick subscriptions amounted to £12 and it was resolved club appears to have been formed this season and that those who had not paid within a month would their fixtures also included Rovers. There seem to be removed from the membership. Mr Moreton have been a significant crossover of players Lucas was elected as President with Mr E. Field the between the two clubs and when Warwick played a Vice-President. Mr Mitchell was elected as mid-week fixture against Queens College Secretary and George Gill as captain. Birmingham, many of the Rovers’ regulars were in their team. They also played Trinity College Although the fixture list was printed in the Courier, Stratford and Kings Grammar School. most of the games were not reported. There was a win over Wolverhampton and a win and a draw against Edgbaston Crusaders. There were narrow Leamington Rovers 1881-82 losses to Coventry and Leicester and a heavy O1 Banbury H defeat by Moseley, who scored a goal and 7 tries. O8 Edgbaston Crusaders H O22 Wolverhampton W 2g2t 12td 2t 3td H MCC The main event of this season was the first year of O29 Edgbaston Crusaders D 2td 2td A MCC the Midland Counties Cup, which included all the N5 Stratford H best team in the Midlands. Rovers were drawn at N12 Trinity College Oxford A home to Wolverhampton in the first round, in October, and kept the visitors under pressure with N26 Leicester L Nil 1g1t A frequent attempts at drop goals to force them to D3 Warwick H concede touchdowns. A try from Bellot and two D10 Dudley VFC&H A from Piper (one converted by Richardson) plus a D17 Moseley H drop goal from the same player saw the Rovers D26 Leicester H home. The following Saturday, Rovers took on J7 Banbury A Edgbaston Crusaders in the second round. Again J14 Handsworth H they were at home and in a close game the two J21 Stratford A teams were deadlocked, having forced only two J28 Edgbaston Rovers H touchdowns each. It was still level after 10 minutes F4 Moseley L Nil 1g7t8td A of extra time and the game was drawn. The replay, F11 Coventry L 1t4td 1g H at Bristol Road, Edgbaston, did not take place until F18 Burton A March. This time Rovers came out on top, winning F25 Warwick W 1g3t5td Nil H by 2 goals and a try to a try. The next round was the M4 Edgbaston Crusaders W 2g1t3td 1t2td A MCC semi-final and Rovers were drawn away at M14 Trinity College Oxford H Rushden, who had eliminated Stourbridge and M21 Dudley VFC & H H Handsworth. According to the Courier, Rovers won M25 Edgbaston Rovers A easily, but the game was played on a hard pitch, A1 Rushden W A MCC which took a lot out of them. This was Rushden’s A8 Moseley L Nil 3g 3t 6td N MCC only defeat of the season and their local sources claimed that Leamington were “decidedly lucky”.

The Midland Counties played a number of games. The final was played on 8 April at the Athletic They made their first venture to London to play Ground in Coventry, against Moseley. The Surrey in November. In March they played Birmingham side were unbeaten and having Gloucestershire and included player(s) from walloped the Rovers easily in February were strong Leamington. This was Lancashire’s first ever game. favourites for the Cup. It proved to be a one-sided game as Moseley won by 3 goals, 3 tries and 6 touchdowns to nil. The Courier reported that Rovers were still suffering from the effects of the Rushden tie the week before and that Moseley were

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1882-83: Kettering conflict A rearranged game at Warwick in March resulted in The first game of the new season was a repeat of Rovers fielding a scratch side and, with some of the Cup final against Moseley. Played at Leam their players not turning up, they went down by a Terrace, the Birmingham side again ran out goal and a try to two goals. There was an exchange winners, but in a more competitive game, by 2 goals between supporters in the letters column of the and a try to 2 touchdowns. Rovers were heavily Courier in the following weeks, with both sides criticised in the Courier for being over-individualistic claiming the other was reluctant to take them on in the backs and for being less than vigorous in the and would either cancel or play a weak team to forwards. Moseley, on the other hand, were again avoid direct comparison. A further fixture was criticised for over-robust play that was thought not arranged for the end of the season but this was to be within the spirit of the rules. In the next game cancelled by mutual consent. This was Rovers’ there was a dispute over whether to allow Rugby a worst season to date with 6 wins and 9 losses of the score, which ended in their skipper and two of his results recorded. players leaving the field in protest, just before the end. The decision meant Rovers won and the New teams continued to appear this season: Courier commented on the less than satisfactory Leamington Swifts played and defeated the Robin arrangements between the referee and the other Hoods and Coventry Grammar School. Southam officials and captains. were still going and Leamington College continued to play the other local schools The first round of the Midlands Counties Cup was away at Kettering on 28 October. Nearly 1,000 The Midland Counties played two county matches people turned up to watch and they created an in November, with Bullock and Miller playing against intimidating atmosphere, which caused further Lancashire and Gill, Miller, Rawlinson and Green controversy. The Leamington backs dazzled against Oxford University. Miller was the only throughout most of the game, scoring a try and Leamington representative against Gloucestershire forcing 6 touchdowns, but in a spell of pressure by in February, but E Hopewell and Gill played against the home forwards in the second half, Kettering Surrey in March. kicked a drop goal, to give them victory. The validity of this win was disputed by Leamington, although it is not clear why, and the Midland Counties Union decided that the game should be replayed. Rovers declined to visit Kettering again, questioning whether they would come back alive if they won, given the hostile attitude of the home spectators. It Leamington Rovers 1882-83 was then decided that the replay should be played O7 Moseley L 2td 2g1t H on a neutral venue. Kettering must have objected to O14 Rugby W 3g 2g,1t H this and withdrawn as Leamington went through to O21 Banbury Rovers L A the next round. O28 Kettering L 1t6td 1g1td A MCC N4 Queens College, B’ham W 2g1t Nil H With Rovers having spare players available in N25 Warwick W 1t6td 1t H October, several turned out for Warwick against Coventry St Michaels. Although Warwick was a new D2 Edgbaston Crusaders A club, the Courier commented that a merger might D5 Past & Present L 1T 1g, 1t be beneficial to ensure the area could turn out a J6 Edgbaston Rovers H strong side, especially when Rovers were depleted, J13 Moseley L Nil 2g4t5td A due to representative call ups. The two teams J20 Queens College W 1t1td Nil H played a few weeks later and Leamington scraped J27 Rugby L A home on touchdowns. In what appears to have F3 Rugby L Nil 1g 1t H been the final game before Christmas, Rovers lost F10 Burton L 8td 1t8td H MCC to Leamington College (Past and Present). F24 Edgbaston Crusaders W 1g4td 3td H M3 Southam W H For the away fixture against Moseley in January M10 Warwick L 1g1t 2g A Rovers fielded a weakened side with most of the M17 King Edward’s School H usual backs not travelling. It was another heavy M24 Coventry A defeat and their star player, Albert Smith, was M31 Coventry St Michael’s H outstanding. Back to back games were then lost A7 Coventry St Michael’s A against Rugby at the end of January. After a severe defeat over there, the Rovers at least completed well in the return at Leam Terrace in extremely wet conditions. It was even wetter when Burton visited the following week, in round two of the Cup. It rained before and throughout the game, which was described as being more of an aquatic sport than a field game. Burton just squelched home with the only try. They went on to defeat Moseley in the final.

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The team photograph below was printed in the cashier at Lloyds Bank, churchwarden of St Albans Courier on 31 December 1937 and is said to be and sometimes acted as a referee; George Gill, was from the 1882-83 season. Not all of the players also a cashier of Lloyds Bank and he was an able were regulars but judging by the line-up it was half-back and club captain; Frank Glover was the probably taken early in the season, although it can’t Managing Director of the Courier; William Gascoyne be traced to a specific game - S. Ruddock, J. – popularly known as “Bodger” – was a prominent Randall, C. Standbridge, R. Bullock, Wayte(jnr), local builder; his fellow veteran in the forwards, C. H.H. Bellot – W.J. Pratt (umpire) E. Ivens, Wayte Standbridge (who died in 1896 aged 50) was a (sen), G. Gill (captain), F. Harding, F. Proctor – F. bookmaker with his brother Reuben, in Kenilworth Glover, W. Gascoyne, J. Hatwood, J. Mitchell Street. Of the others: J. Harding was a Cheltenham College man and H.H. Bellot and S Ruddoch Note the round ball – the shape and size of the ball (Ruddock) both attended Leamington College. varied depending on the pig’s bladder used and Teddy Ivens, was a local baker; J Mitchell was a was not standardised until 1892. It is not known lawyer; the Wayte brothers ran the Corn Stores in what the players’ caps signify. The article New Street; and Tom Proctor was at the Bath Hotel. accompanying the photo gave some background of Club President A.E. Bullock (not included) was a the players, including some of the original doctor and R Bullock, presumably his brother, was members, namely: Mr W.H. Pratt, who was a a forceful three-quarter.

1883-84: Warwick merger elsewhere in the county and a broader description After all the bickering with Warwick during the for the club would therefore be suitable. It was Spring, some diplomatic pressure must have been agreed that strength through unity should be the applied over the Summer, as a joint meeting of way forward and a merger was agreed. Coventry Leamington Rovers and Warwick was held at the and Coventry St Michael’s also merged this Great Western Hotel on 13 September 1883 to summer. consider the amalgamation of the two clubs. Frank Glover was in the Chair and it was advocated that Dr A.E. Bullock was elected as President. George whilst Warwick had its own club which included Gill was Captain and Treasurer with R. Bullock his some good players, it was not strong enough to Vice-captain. Frank Glover and A.M. Skinner take on the best teams in the Midlands. Leamington became joint Secretaries. It was agreed to set also had good players, some of whom came from playing subscriptions at 5/- per season, the same

10 for non-players and half a guinea (10/6d) for Warwick fixtures or not. On this occasion the honorary members. Broad stripes in magenta and Leamington men came out on top by 2 tries to nil chocolate were adopted as the colours for the club with H. Bellot scoring both. The sides were: strip. It was hoped that with the merger there would be sufficient players to run a regular second team LEAMINGTON – Mitchell - Combe, J. Wilkins, H. and fixtures were arranged. Games were to Bellot, Barnside – G. Gill, Ivens – J. Randall, H. alternate between Leam Terrace East and the Wheildon, W. Gascoyne, C. Standbridge, Leach, Warwick County Cricket Ground, but it seems that Jenkins, C. Burridge most were played in Leamington. The first week of WARWICK – James Walsgrave – R. Bullock, A. the season was a trial match between the probables Bullock, Richardson – A. Gill, Shaw – Hunt, and the rest, to decide the opening line-up. Parsons, Bowen, E. Gill, Hall, Haydon, Wright, Walker, John Walsgrave The first game for the new combined club was at home to Burton on 29 September. It was played in The new year brought a downturn in the fortunes of bad weather and three players failed to show up. the new club with the only win recorded, against The teams eventually evened out at 14-a-side and Harriers, in what was probably a second team the game ended in a draw with both sides scoring a fixture. The year began with a heavy defeat at try and 3 touchdowns. The line-up was - Richardson Burton, an unlucky loss at home to Edgbaston – R. Bullock, L. Bullock, C. Ricketts – G. Gill, Dene Crusaders, who sneaked home thanks to a fluke try, – Aitcheson, Godson, Hunt, Wheildon, Jackson, and a narrow defeat to Redditch, with a weak side. Burridge, Gascoyne, Glover The highlight of the season was a prestige fixture The second game was lost at Rugby and the first against Middlesex Wanderers, a mid-week invitation success came at home (in Warwick) the following side, on 20 February. The Courier bemoaned the week, against Rushden, when a try to a disputed try state of sport in the town, with no town cricket club settled the game. There was also a fixture planned (although cricket was played) and tardy support for against Leicester that day but they failed to turn up athletics, horse racing and hunting. The paper because they missed their train. hoped that a good gate for this game would help raise the town’s profile. Admission was set at 6d The Rovers then drew Moseley in the Midland and 3d with free admission for children and ladies. Counties Cup. The result followed the familiar The take was a meagre £3. 8/- and with expenses pattern for this fixture with another heavy defeat. amounting to £3, the profit shared between the two 1,500 people turned up at Leam Terrace to watch sides was 4/- (20p) each. The visitors’ rail fares the game. They were disappointed by the Rovers’ from London exceeded £7, so they made a performance, particularly from their backs, who considerable loss. The game itself was played in were badly outplayed, but also with the poor good spirit and was won comfortably by the visitors. sportsmanship of the home side, who challenged every score. There were plenty of these: 4 goals The season ended with cancellations against and 2 tries, against 1 try, secured the Birmingham Coventry, because Rovers couldn’t field a side, and side’s passage into the second round. They went on Kidderminster because of a smallpox outbreak to beat Coventry in the final. there. Against Moseley, the Rovers again struggled to field a team and had to borrow 7 players from The first ever games against Warwick School (Past Leamington Crusaders, but lost by a lesser margin and Present) and Old Edwardians followed and than usual. The final game was also lost, against both were won, Ricketts scoring 2 goals against Leicester at home. Warwick. The return game against Rugby was drawn in favour of Rovers who shaded the “minors” So, after all the early optimism, following the in a game with no tries or goals. A disputed try, merger, the season tailed of badly, with Rovers when playing with only 14 men, resulted in defeat at finding it difficult to field 15 players, never mind a Kidderminster and there was the same outcome at strong side. The new club seemed weaker that its Harborne when Rovers played two men short for two constituent clubs had been the year before. The the whole first half. Wins against Leamington overall record of known results is - won 7 drawn 2 College (12 a-side), Coventry and newly formed and lost 11. Some second team games were Warwick Excelsior followed, although with the played, against clubs such as Moseley, Edgbaston exception of Coventry the opposition was not the Crusaders, Alcester, Trinity College, KES Warwick best. Both sides claimed victory in the Coventry and the Harriers game referred to above. game, with a disputed try each, although Coventry also scored 6 touchdowns. R. Bullock scored Elsewhere in the area, the Leamington Crusaders Rovers’ disputed try and he also claimed 3 against played regularly and won most of their games, Excelsior. defeating Emscote Rovers, Southam, Birmingham Swifts, Heathfield, Rugby Albion, Moseley A game was played between bona fide residents of Woodstock, Hillfield Rovers and Coventry St. Leamington and Warwick on Boxing Day. It is Osbury’s . They even managed to beat Warwick reported that similar games had been held in 1880 Excelsior on the day they loaned Rovers seven and 1882, both of which were drawn. It is not clear players to play Moseley. Cubbington Crusaders and whether these were Leamington Rovers versus

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Leamington Victoria both played at least the odd scoring system. Moseley defeated Coventry on the game. There was no reference to The Volunteers. same day and so the final was to be a repeat of the inaugural season of the Cup, three years earlier.

A special train was laid on for the final in Coventry South Warwickshire Rovers 1883-84 and around 4,000 spectators turned up to watch S29 Burton D 1t3td 1t 3td H what was predicted as likely to be a one-sided O6 Rugby L 6td 1g2t A affair. This proved to be the case and although the O13 Rushden W 1t 1dt W Rovers’ forwards held their own in the tight, O20 Moseley L 1g 4g2t H MCC Moseley were much quicker in the loose and had O27 KES Warwick (P&P) W 2g4td 1g2td A the advantage in the backs. Four goals and a try to N3 Old Edwardians W 3g1t6td Nil H four touchdowns was the winning margin. The team N10 Rugby D 4td 3td H for the final was - Bryan – Gwatkin, R. Bullock © N17 Kidderminster L Nil 1dt A Richardson, Ricketts – Gill, Ivens – Wheildon, Gascoyne, Standbridge, Southorn, Randall, N24 Leamington College (P&P) H Barnacle, Brough, AN Other. D1 Harborne L 1g1t 1g A

D12 Leamington College W 2g3t 1g1t A These are the only results recorded and whilst 4 D15 Coventry W 1dt 1dt6td H wins and only 2 defeats (both to the top team in the D22 Warwick Excelsior W 1g4t Nil H Midlands) and a cup final appearance suggests it D26 Boxing day might have been a good year, the absence of D29 Leicester L 1g 1g1dg A results is not usually an indication of success. J5 Warwick Excelsiors H J12 Burton L Nil 3g2t A The re-formed Warwick club played at the Warwick J19 Harriers W 2g2t1td Nil H County Cricket Ground and their reported results J26 Edgbaston Crusaders L Nil 1t H included a win and a loss against Moseley F7 Trinity College Stratford A Woodstock and wins against the Volunteers, F16 Redditch L 1t 1g1t H Alcester, Edgbaston Crusaders, Coventry Rangers F20 Middlesex Wanderers L 2t 2g3t H and Banbury. Holy Trinity Church (Beauchamp F23 Allesley Park College H Avenue) formed a side this season and played on M1 Coventry C A the Lillington Road. After games against Warwick M8 Moseley L Nil 1g1t and Rovers’ second teams, they appear to have M15 Kidderminster C L progressed in the second half of the season when M22 Leicester L Nil 1dg1t H they won and lost against Warwick and defeated Stratford Band of Hope (Wesleyans). Leamington College appear to have turned to the Association rules and played local school sides. They also met Holy Trinity under Rugby rules and came out on top.

1884-85: Final for Rovers As very little is recorded in the Courier for the new South Warwickshire Rovers 1884-85 Rovers this season. It is therefore difficult S27 Burton W 1t 3td 4td H summarise what happened, although it was O25 Stoke W 2t 2td 1t H MCC certainly a season of contrasts. It seems that the D20 Edgbaston Crusaders D 1td 2td H Warwick club had reformed, suggesting that the D26 Warwick W 1t 2td 1dt A merger had not been a success and the Rovers F7 Moseley L Nil 7g 2t A were left with liabilities of £30 to carry into the new F28 Oriel College, Oxon W 1g 2td Nil season. M14 Kidderminster W 14 5 A MCC

M28 Moseley L 4 46 N MCC On the field, things began well with a home win over

Burton at Leam Terrace on 27 September. Stoke were beaten narrowly at the end of October (probably in the Midland Counties Cup) and a draw was achieved against Edgbaston Crusaders (slightly in their favour) in December. The year ended with a win against Warwick in the Boxing Day fixture.

A visit to Moseley in February resulted in the usual hammering, this time by 7 goals and 2 tries to nothing. Oriel College, Oxford were beaten in March and the next week Rovers played at Kidderminster in the third round (semi-final) of the Midland Counties Cup winning by 14-5 under the new points

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1885-86:Rovers’ Finale The shortage of match reports turned into a total drought this season, and no results have been found for the Rovers before Christmas. The first indication of what was going on came when OPQ, the Courier’s columnist, commented on the situation early in the new year. His jottings are reproduced below and clarify that Rovers ran out of money and were forced to close down because some members did not pay their dues.

St Johns Church (Tachbrook Street) formed a club in their parish in September, in time for the new season and they appear to have become Leamington’s main team, in place of the Rovers, over the next few years. They played their games on Tachbrook Road which, it is assumed, later became the base for Leamington’s Association team (and much later, Lockheed/AP). St John’s also established a working men’s club around the same time, which might have been a source of recruitment for the football team. There are not many fixtures recorded for St John’s but of those there are, they won 2 and drew 3. The last of these drawn games was against South Warwickshire Rovers in a warm-up game for their cup tie against Warwick.

Leamington St John’s 1885-86 O17 Southam W 2g Nil A N29 Coventry Rangers W 1g1t5td 1td H J16 Dudley Rangers D 5td 1td H J30 Banbury Rovers D Nil Nil H F28 South Warks Rovers D A

There is no more on how this came about, but Warwick’s reward for beating the Rovers was to readers will recall that H.C. King had written to the draw Moseley in the second round of the Midlands paper about the non-payment of subscriptions as Counties Cup and they acquitted themselves very early as 1878 and it was reported in 1884-85 that well, restricting the Brummies to only one try. The the club had outstanding liabilites of £30. It seems team was - Busby – Walker, Sidwell, James that this debt became too much to sustain. There Walsgrove, John Walsgrove – H. Parsons, Hill – G. are reports that William Gascoyne, one of the Parsons© Gurney, Butler, Hewitt, Hunt, Hall, founder members and stalwarts of the club became Pinfold. Referee - Gill bankrupt at the the beginning of 1885, owing a large sum. It is pure speculation, but local economic They played Moseley again the following week with conditions were difficult at this time and perhaps the similar line-ups and this time they lost more heavily, persons the club could have expected to turn to for by 4 goals and a try to 2 touches. The results help were no longer willing or able to do so. available for Warwick show that they had returned to their former strength and were now the top team It is possible that the club struggled on and played in the area. The other local derby was the Boxing the occaisional game up until Christmas as it is Day game between the de-facto residents of reported that they came back together in March Leamington and Warwick. Played in Warwick, this after only “three months in abeyance” to play in the was drawn with both sides scoring a try. Midland Counties Cup against Warwick. The game was described as being very fast throughout and Nothing more is heard of the Holy Trinity side which was won by Warwick with the only try of the match. had prospered so well the previous season. However The Buffs, who had first played in 1880- 81, completed their first season. Their success was South Warwickshire Rovers 1885-86 celebrated at a supper evening in dining hall of D5 Northampton Unity A Emscote Mills (by kind permission of Messrs F28 St John’s D H George Nelson, Dale and Co) with 40-45 members M6 Warwick L 3td 1t1td H MCC sitting down to dine. M13 Northampton Unity H

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Napton Rovers, who played Daventry in April. The 1886-87: St John’s Parish Church fielded a side and their one recorded O.P.Q. was still lamenting the loss of the Rovers in result was a win over Allesley Park College at Leam his Courier jottings at the start of the 1886-87 Terrace. Their team was – W. Ledbrook, C. season. There was no sign of the club reappearing, Middleton, J. Wilkins, W. Newman – J.B. Buncher, although Richardson and Thomas are reported to F. Makepeace – W. Payne, G. Elson, J. Goodacre have played for the Midland Counties against © W. Roberts, J. Clare, Corwell, H. Kimberley, A.M. Marlborough Nomads in December, as South Lloyd Warwickshire Rovers representatives. Leamington Although rugby football still dominated in the town there was a growing interest in the Association code. In Birmingham the Warwickshire County Cricket Club were debating whether to form an Association team to offset their winter expenses and because they thought there were many gentlemen members who would be glad of the opportunity to play amateur association football.

Leamington St John’s 1886-87 O16 Coventry W 1t 4td 1td H O23 Dudley Victoria W 1t 1td A O30 Coventry Clifton W 2g 3t 9td Nil H The general meeting of St John’s took place prior to N6 Stratford W 1t 1td A the season commencing and the Rev W.G. Wise N13 Banbury H was elected as President, with Mr J. Stanley as D11 Rugby D H Treasurer and Mr H.R. Bird as Secretary. Two J22 Warwick D 1t 1t former Rovers players led the side, with Arthur J29 Coventry Albion L 1td 1t CDJC Dawkes as captain and H Southorn as his deputy. F19 Rugby W 2g 2t 3td nil A The team showed signs of improvement as they M5 Rugby* L Nil 5g7t+m MCC defeated a Coventry side, Dudley Victoria and *played as SW Rovers Stratford and shaded a draw with Rugby before Christmas. The team against Stratford, in which Smith scored the only try was - A. Bird – F. Fessey, A.Dawkes, H. Smith H. Dutton, - W. Astill, H. Fessey – W. Bird, W. Durham, H. Humphriss, J. 1887-88 Morris, Parsons, R. Southorn H. Wheildon, W. Arthur Dawkes and P. Southorn were re-elected as White captain and vice-captain of St John’s. Their season began with two early wins over Southam, before There were severe snowstorms on Boxing Day and facing local rivals Warwick on 10 December. It was in early January, causing cancellations, so when St reported as a very rough game with a lot of John’s took on Warwick on 22nd January, a large spectator trouble. St John’s managed to come out and expectant crowd came out to see them play. on top with a goal and a try to a goal. They lined up The sides had previously won one game each in as follows – H. Dawkes – A. Dawkes, H. Timins, F. their previous two meetings and local bragging Fessey, W. Ballard – H. Horley, W. Astill – H. rights were at stake. Busby scored a try for Warwick Watson, J. Morris, H. Knight, B. Wright, W. White, and H. Humphriss got one back for St Johns, to P. Southorn © H .Humphriss, W. Bird achieve an honourable draw. St John’s later played Coventry Albion in round 1 of the Coventry Junior The annual Boxing Day game between the bona- Challenge Cup and lost narrowly by one try. They fide residents of the two towns was played in front also entered the Midland Counties Cup under the of a boisterous crowd. It was a controversial match, name of South Warwickshire Rovers and were with Parsons and John Kilder scoring tries for completely overpowered by Rugby, who scored 5 Warwick before the break and Leamington coming goals and 7 tries. Rugby went on to reach the final. back strongly in the second period, but unable to break through. The game ended early due to crowd Warwick appear to have been playing at a good encroachment onto the pitch and it was discovered level and they recorded wins over Stratford (twice), that Warwick had fielded 16 men for part of the West Bromwich and Worcester, the latter in the first game. It was therefore declared a draw. The teams round of the Midland Counties Cup. In the second were – round they played Coventry. Despite a snowstorm in March, over 1,000 turned up to the game and WARWICK – H. Perkins – J. Walter, T. Sidwell, T. saw Coventry win comfortably, by 2 goals and 4 Busby, L. Bostock - T. Hill, W. Watts © - F. Buller, tries. H. Hunt, J. Kilder, John Kilder, J. Thompson, H. Parsons, T. xxx, J .Walsgrove Other teams playing this season included the Buffs, who beat Banbury Rovers in November; and

14

LEAMINGTON – H. Horley – W. Ballard, A. Vale of Evesham, the Worcestershire Cup holders, Dawkes, F. Fessey, H. Smith, W. Astill, E. Ivens – which was declared a draw due to bad light, with St W. White, H. Watson, Batchelor, R. Rayner, T. John’s leading. The line-up in the opening game Ledbrooke, J. Harrison, R. Bird, H. Southorn © against Rugby Rovers was - F. Fessey – H. Smith A. Dawkes, W. Ballard, W. Varney – H. Horley, H. Later in the season there was a loss and draw Dawkes – W. White, R. Atkins, A. Price, W. Watson, against Stratford and two wins over Moseley W. Kerr, W. Durham, Knight, Kenning Harlequins, the second game being in the first round of the Midland Counties Cup when St John’s A rather belated general meeting of the club was again played as South Warwickshire Rovers. In the held on 19th November at the Westminster Coffee second round of the Cup they drew Dudley at home Tavern to elect officers for the season. Arthur and in a keenly contested game in front of a large Dawkes was again chosen as first team captain number of spectators, a single try was decisive in with Henry Horley his deputy. Robert Atkins was favour of the visitors. elected as second team captain with Alec Cash as his deputy. Frank Fessey was elected as club The Parish Church again fielded a team this season secretary. Games were played at Tachbrook Road and after Christmas they beat Long Itchington, and Banbury Rovers and lost to Stratford Athletic Club. The winning streak continued after Christmas and They also played St John’s second team which culminated with victory over Warwick, in round one fielded a number of first team “ringers” and although of the Midland Counties Cup, reversing the result of St John’s won, Arthur Dawkes, the referee, 1886. Reports describe them as being either declared the game a draw as he felt the Parish side Leamington or South Warwickshire Rovers, but it were “off their guard when the only try was scored”. was clearly the St John’s side. They dominated the They played St John’s first team later in the season first half into the wind and led through “minors” and and went down narrowly. St Paul’s also had a side were expecting to win comfortably with the and Warwick St. Nicholas played Whitnash. conditions in their favour in the second half. Meanwhile, Leamington College were playing However a try by Busby gave Warwick a surprise Association rules. lead. Leamington fought back with H. Dawkes racing along the touchline to make the equalising score and a few minutes later making the break and Leamington St John’s 1887-88 passing to Gibbs for him to run in for a second try. This prompted a pitch invasion and then constant O8 Southam W 4t Nil H encroachment over the goal-line, preventing O22 Southam W 1g 2t 1disp t A Warwick the opportunity to equalise in the final O29 Coventry H minutes. The reward, for knocking out Warwick was D10 Warwick W 1g 1t 1g H to play Moseley at home in the next round and as D17 Stratford L Nil 2g 2t A usual the Leamingtonians were heavily beaten with J28 Banbury Rovers C H Moseley totting up 5 goals and 4 tries as they swamped the locals in the second half. Moseley F4 Moseley Harlequins W 1g2t Nil H went on to win the Cup, beating Leicester in the M3 Moseley Harlequins* W 1t +5m 2m A MCC final and this appears to have ended St John’s M10 Dudley* L 1m 1t 3m H MCC season with 12 wins and just the one known M17 Parish Church W 1g 5m 1t 1m A defeat. M24 Stratford D 1g 1t 4m 1g 1t 3m H *Played as SW Rovers

Leamington St John’s 1888-89 Only three of Warwick’s results have been found. O20 Rugby Rovers W 1g 3t 13td Nil Apart from the defeat to St John’s in December, O27 Tamworth W 4t 13td Itd A they beat Handsworth in October and lost to N3 Handsworth W 3t 9td 2td H Moseley’s second team in January. In March, Warwick Avon Rovers played Coventry Godiva N10 Avon Rovers A H Rovers in the Coventry and District Junior Cup. The N24 Vale of Evesham D 2t 1t A Coventry side won a close game by 1 try and 2 D1 Olton W 4g 4t 8td itd minors to 7 minors. D15 Dunchurch W 1g 3td 1t 1td A D22 Nuneaton W 2g 2t 5m 1m H

J12 Handsworth W 3g 4t 9td Nil A

J19 Evesham W 6t 8td Nil H J26 Nuneaton Town W 1g 1t 10td 2td A 1888-89 F2 Southam W 1g 2t 4td 4td A St Johns had an outstanding season. Subject to any F16 P Gibbs XV W 6g 11td 1t H missing results they won all their games before M2 Warwick* W 2T 1T H MCC Christmas except for a match at Avon Rovers which M9 Moseley* L Nil 5G 4T MCC was abandoned due to “disputations and quarrelling” with the umpires and a game against *Played as SW Rovers

15

St John’s again fielded a regular second team and avoiding the internal disputes which had led to the they played Godiva Rovers, Warwick St Paul’s, demise of the Rovers. He commented that it had Coventry Harlequins, Southam, Coventry Juniors come to his attention that already the proposed club and Coventry Rangers, winning or drawing most of “has caused disgust, by slighting some of the best their games. They also played two new local sides – known friends to football in the town” and that this Emscote White Stars and Hillside Rovers, who was an unhealthy way of “promoting manly English appear to have been based in Lillington. games”. Leamington College had a full programme but played mainly Association rules and the Parish Church continued to play.

A point scoring system was introduced this year with a goal scoring 3 points, a penalty goal 2 points and a try 1 point. When a goal was kicked from a try, only the goal scored. However, results still tended to be recorded under the old system The NZ Maoris visited England, to become the first overseas tourists. They played an amazing total of 74 games (winning 49 and drawing 5) plus more on the way here and home. Two games were played against the Midland Counties. In support of the finances of the new club, two public concerts were held at the Royal Assembly Rooms in Bath Street on 21 and 22 October. Various musical and comedy sketches were 1889-90:Rovers’ revived performed, mainly by members of the club, including such classics as Cups and Saucers, the Birthplace of Podger and The Scotch Express, a light operetta.

The first game was against the old nemesis, Moseley. On a cold windy day and as so many times before, the Moseley players ran through the Leamington defence to score at will as the Spa Four years on from the demise of the Rovers, there team collapsed in the second half. The second was the revival of a Leamington town club. A first game was away at Birmingham’s second club, meeting was held in the Westminster Coffee Tavern Edgbaston Crusaders, and these other old on 29th July, when it was agreed that a new club opponents were an easier challenge and were should be formed and that a deputation should seek beaten by 2 goals and a try to a goal. The third out “a corps of honorary members” to support the game was due to be against Nuneaton St Marys but club. A second meeting took place on 9th August in was played against Warwick instead. In what was one of the ante-rooms at the Town Hall. This was reported as a bad tempered match the Warwick well attended and the following officers were side edged home with a goal and a try, to a try. elected - Mr J. Hincks (President), Mr Raynor Wins against Queens College and Wolverhampton (Secretary) Mr P. Southorn (Treasurer) and Messrs followed and after this the club played its first home P Gibbs, Fessey, Edelman, R Bird, Rowlands, game, on 2 November, against the Old Crocks, an Buncher, Mann, Watson and Boulter (committee invitation side of former Rovers players, with a members). Arthur Dawkes was elected as captain sprinkling of Warwick men. A close game was with G Hincks his deputy. Kerr was appointed as drawn in favour of the town side who added 4 captain of the second team with H. Dawkes his touchdowns to a try apiece. The line-ups were - LEAMINGTON – Passman – A. Dawkes © Franklin, deputy. The new club was to be known as Whitby, H. Dawkes, - Horley, Rowlands – Buller, Kerr, Leamington Town Football Club and would play its Burton, George, Watson, Edelmann, Jeffrey, Hincks games on the Tachbrook Road ground. It was OLD CROCKS - Fessey – Sidwell, Barnacle, Walker – decided that the club should affiliate to the Rugby Ivens, Gill © - W. Gascoyne, Standbridge, Hunt, J. Union Association and take part in the Midlands Gascoyne, Mundy, Burridge, Lyne, Wheildon, White Counties Cup. Lincoln College, Oxford were defeated in the next It would seem, given the names of the persons game and the season continued well throughout the elected to serve on the committee, including Arthur winter. Games were won and lost against Dawkes as captain, that the new club was built on Handsworth and Stourbridge after Christmas and a the outstanding success of Leamington St John’s 3,000 crowd turned out to see the away game the previous year and that a town club was seen as against Leicester, which was lost by 3 tries to nil. the way forward in re-establishing Leamington as a Nottingham were beaten in the first round of the force in the game. OPQ commented on the Midland Counties Cup at the beginning of March formation of the club in his jottings column and and in the second round, the following week welcomed the development but warned about Stourbridge were the opponents. Having already

16 had two close games earlier on, the same was Leamington Albions were another new club in the expected this time and so it proved, with town this season. They played at Lillington or at Stourbridge sneaking home for what was described Tachbrook Road and established themselves as as a fluky win, with the only try of the game Leamington’s second side. They entered the awarded when one of the Leamington players was Coventry & District Junior Challenge Cup and after obstructed. The line-up against Stourbridge was - defeating Coventry Lord Street in a replay, met Passman- Gibbs, A. Dawkes ©, H. Dawkes, Fessey Coventry Godiva Rovers in the semi-final, which – Horley, Hutchins – Edelmann, White, Canning, they lost. Their known results are given below. Kerr, Watson, Powell, Jeffries, Wheildon Warwick continued to put out a team and in addition to beating Leamington early in the season, they drew with Stratford in November and met Leamington Town 1889-90 Edgbaston Crusaders in the Midlands Counties Cup S28 Moseley L Nil 7g 6t A on 1 March. Avon Rovers was another club in O5 Edgbaston Crusaders W 2g 1t 1g A action in Warwick. O12 Warwick L It 1g 1t A O19 Wolverhampton W 1g1t+m 1t A O26 Queens College B’ham W 1t 5m 1m A Leamington Albions 1889-90 N2 Old Crocks D 1t 4m 1t H O12 Coventry Lord St W 2t nil H N9 Lincoln College Oxon W 2t 1t H O19 Coventry Excelsior W 1g nil H N16 Dunchurch W 3t4m 1g3m H O26 Coventry Premier D A N23 Stourbridge A N9 Avon Rovers W 2t nil A N30 Wolverhampton H N30 Coventry St John’s D CDJC D7 Leicester Crusaders A D21 Coventry Lord St D 2m 2m H CDJC D14 Leicester Crusaders H J18 Coventry Lord St W 2t 1t CDJC D21 Stourbridge L Nil 1g+m H F8 Rugby Loco W 2t 9m 1m D26 Coventry Juniors W 1g 4t 1g 1t H F15 Coventry Lord St W 1g4t9m 2m D28 Handsworth L Nil 3g2t A Godiva Rovers L CDJC J4 Edgbaston Crusaders H J11 Stourbridge Reserves W 1g3t 1t H J18 Leicester L 1m 3t 1m A J25 Handsworth W 1g 1t 1t H F1 Queens College B’ham W 2g4t7m Nil H F8 Nuneaton St Mary’s W 1g4t 7m Nil H F15 Dunchurch A F22 Rugby L Nil 2g 14m H M1 Nottingham W 1g 2t A MCC M8 Stourbridge L 4m 1t5m H MCC 1890-91 – Town Club Expires M29 Edgbaston Crusaders W 1g2t 1g H Very little is recorded this season. Of the games where results are known, these were not very good – all lost in fact. It appears that after one good The above fixture list is complete, but not all of the season the club was in trouble again, both on and results are recorded. Of those that are known, there off the field, were 12 wins against 7 losses, with 1 draw. A trial game (or “pick up” game, as it was Although this had been a fairly successful first th season on the field, all did not appear to be well off described) was arranged for 20 September and it. The Courier’s columns referred to a succession the Courier was optimistic about the club’s likely of poor attendances which meant the club was playing strength. The opening game was against finding it hard to cover its costs. These were noted Rugby, for which the result is not available, but the in the newspaper on 22nd February, when it was following week they lost heavily by 6 goals and a try detailed that players’ subscriptions amounted to at Bromsgrove. The only other results available before Christmas are losses to Handsworth and £11.15/-; honorary members’ subscriptions were nd £13.13/-; and with gate receipts of £20.17/9d, plus Coventry 2 . At least two reserve games were others, total receipts were £52.10/-. Against this, played early season so players must have been total expenditure was £49.19/8d, leaving a balance available in good numbers. of only £3. 11/7d. With £14 owing on the rent of the pitch and two away trips by train coming up (to There was severe weather from late November until Nottingham and Leicester) and likely to cost around the end of January and no scores are available for this period. The next result was against Stratford £8-9 the club was in difficulties and put out a plea th for some generous people to come forward and Crusaders on 14 February which resulted in a win. help it through its first season by their “liberal Thereafter, three games were played against subscriptions”. This provoked some response in the Warwick , all of which were lost and in the Midland letters column questioning whether it was justifiable Counties Cup they went out to Handsworth at the to pass round the hat in the town because the club first hurdle. Nimrod, the Coventry Evening couldn’t meet its commitments through its own Telegraph columnist commented that “ Leamington efforts. ought to have made a better show…and there seems to be small hope of the Royal Borough

17 taking any prominent part in rugby football for some Leamington Albions 1890-91 time to come”. O4 Leicester Nelson W 4t Nil H O25 Cov. Lord St D It 1t H th On 30 May the Courier reported that Messrs A. N22 Cov. St John’s D H Dawkes and P.G. Southorn (the honorary Cov. Excelsior L CDJC secretaries of the Leamington Club) had issued a J31 Cov. Rudge L Nil 1g A report and balance sheet for 1890/91 and had F28 Cov. St Johns W 1g Nil A` CDJC expressed regrets that, owing to circumstances, it M7 Cov. Godiva W 1dg3t 2t H CDJC had been a most unfortunate season. With A18 Nuneaton St Mary’s L Ig 5t N CDJC considerable effort the club had managed to meet all its liabilities incurred during the season, but this had necessitated the sale of the club’s property (viz. The points scoring system was amended in 1890- goals and boundary wires and posts). There still 91, to give 5 points for a goal (from a try), 2 for a try, remained owing the sum of £11, for rent of the 3 for a penalty and 4 for a drop kick or goal from a ground for 1889/90, for which repeated applications mark. Increasingly results were shown as a points had been made and the position of the club had total instead of the detailed scoring been fully explained to the landlord. It was stated that if any [legal] action was taken to recover this amount it was understood that all members (both season)s would be liable to be called upon. Under all these circumstances the honorary secretaries gave notice that they could not undertake that the club would continue any longer, but must leave others to move in this matter. It appears that the 1891-92: Albions’ fly Flag appeal fell on deaf ears and that having sold the This was the season when Association football family silver and still being in debt, the club folded began to make an impact in the town for the first after only two seasons. time, although some teams were reported as playing the previous season. A town club was Leamington Town 1890-91 formed, known as Leamington Association Football S27 Rugby H Club and they commenced their fixtures against O4 Bromsgrove L Nil 6g 1t A Queen’s College Birmingham on 3 October, winning 2-0. They played their games at the Tachbrook O25 Coventry Reserve L 2t 2g 1t H Road ground and were based at the Avenue Hotel. N15 Handsworth L Nil 2g 4t H The Parish Church and Budbrook Barracks fielded N22 Coventry 2nd L 1t 2g 1t H association teams of a similar standard and such F14 Stratford Crusaders W 1dg1t Nil H was the growing popularity of the game that lots of F21 Warwick L Nil 1g1t H other teams were playing locally from this season F28 Warwick L Nil 2g 5m A onwards, including some of the local schools. M7 Handsworth L Nil 4g1t H MCC M28 Moseley L Ig 2t 2g With Leamington Town Rugby Club going to the M30 Warwick L IM 4t 1m wall after only two seasons, it fell on Leamington Albions to fly the rugby rules flag, although their fixtures were modest by comparison with the former Albion Rovers fared better. In their second season, town club. Leamington was now on the Coventry they went one better than the previous season in and District junior circuit, rather the first class reaching the final of the Coventry & District Junior Midlands circuit as in the past. The annual meeting Cup. Their progress was not without incident of the club was held in their club room at the however, as they were well beaten by Coventry Warwick Arms, Regent Street, on Tuesday 1st Excelsior in the first round, only to be reinstated as September. Mr J. Haynes (past captain) presided. a result of the Coventry club being expelled from The following officers were elected – F. Godfrey as the RFU for the rest of the season for poaching captain with Cromer as his deputy. The Hon. players and encouraging professionalism by Secretary was F. Hudson (of Chandos Street) and members’ offering jobs to players. Having disposed the Committee comprised Messrs Mann, L. de Cani, of Coventry St John’s in the next round, with Tims J. Cooper, J. Clarke and A. Cromer. their star man, they then gained revenge over Coventry Godiva ( the holders) for their semi-final The Albions scored 60 points over the season and loss the previous season. W Tims scored all the conceded the same number, many of these at the points with 4 tries, one of which he converted start of the season when they were struggling to himself. In the final they met Nuneaton St Mary’s field their best side. Two or three results appear to and after a close first half the Nuneaton side won be missing but of those known they won 7, drew 2 comfortably with 5 tries to a goal. The line-up for the and lost 5. They opened with a 15-0 defeat against final is not available but against Coventry St John’s Warwick and lost to them again a few weeks later in November it was - Batchelor – Tims, Ledbrooke, by a solitary try. In the other local derbies they Robbins, Wise – W. Bull E. Bull – Harris, Haynes, defeated Avon Rovers and drew with Southam. Wright, Hudson, Mason, Bugg, Batty, Truman They appear to have been somewhat nomadic in that several home venues are referred to including, Lillington Road, the Old Cricket Field on Adelaide

18

Road and the Junior College ground. The last of happen. They began the season on the Old Cricket these was used for the second round tie in the Field, Adelaide Road and later played on Avenue Coventry and District Junior Cup, when they Road. Their failure to secure the Tachbrook Road entertained Coventry Lord Street. The game was ground was probably due to the association football lost by a try to a penalty goal in a game in which team, now known as Leamington Town FC, taking it they were said to be “chiselled [cheated] rather than over. beaten” and the referee was castigated for his bias against the home side. The season began for the Albions with a game against Stratford Crusaders. 300 people attended, Little other rugby was reported. Warwick drew with with the gate takings going towards the Warneford Stratford in November but lost easily to Old Hospital appeal fund. The Albions went down Edwardians in round 2 of the Midland Counties Cup narrowly by 2 tries to a goal and a try and in their in March, despite the Birmingham club fielding a next game drew with their closest local rivals, weakened side. Warwick Excelsior and Avon Leamington St Mary’s. After that the team got into Rovers were also active and Leamington St Mary’s its stride and lost only one more game during the played Kenilworth Albion twice in January, both season - to a disputed try against Stratford. sides winning once. This is the first reference found for a Kenilworth team. The club decided to enter the Junior Cup again and after a bye in the first round, they defeated Stratford Crusaders at the end of February and then played Leamington Albions 1891-92 away at Southam in the semi-final. Southam had O3 Warwick L 2m 3g 2m A eliminated Leamington St Mary’s in the previous O17 Cov. Juniors W 3t 1m H round. Although the Leamington side were strong O24 Cov. Rudge D Nil Nil A favourites, it was Southam who dominated the first O31 Warwick L Nil 1t A half. Albions began to exert more control in the N7 Rugby Loco L 1m 1dg A second period but the game went into extra time N14 Avon Rovers W 2t 1t H with no score on the board. The game was decided N28 Cov. Lord St W 1 g 1p A when Albions’ captain, J. Tims sprinted down left D5 St Paul’s W 1g Nil A wing to touch down between the posts. The final was played against Coventry St Thomas’, from J23 Southam D 2t 5m 1g 1m H Earlsdon, at The Butts cricket ground, on 15th April J30 Nuneaton St Mary’s L Nil 3t A and two first half tries settled the game in favour of F6 Cov. Excelsior W Ig 1t A the Albions, in what was described as one of “ the F13 Cov. Lord St L 4 7 H CDJC finest games witnessed in the three-spired city for M26 Cov. St Thomas W 1 g 1t 1m Nil H many years”. The line-up for the final is not known A9 St Mary’s W 2g 3t 1t H but the following were selected for their previous match - th The Albions’ annual dinner took place on 29 April F. Gomer - H. Dawkes, J. Tims, A. Wiltshire, A. at the Warwick Arms on Regent Street. Councillor Wise – W. Bull, W. Pignutt – G.H. Tims, W. Batty, Norris presided and among those present were W. Batchelor, Cashmore, A. Wright, C. Dean, Messrs. Duckett, J.T. Hobbs, Scurr (snr) Godfrey, Friend C. Clarke Harris, G. Timms, J. deCani, Bartlett, Bradford, Clulee, J. Tims, Robins, Bull, H. Dawkes and At its annual dinner on 3rd May, the club celebrated others. It was reported that during the past year the its cup success and its general progress. The club had increased its membership (presumably playing record for the season was 13 wins, 3 draws due to an influx form the defunct town side) and and only 2 defeats, with a points’ difference of 81- receipts had been £10.19/10d, including; £3.8/- 22. It was hoped that the club could move forward from honorary members’ subscriptions; £2.7/- from from this level. The Courier made the suggestion players’ subscriptions; £4.14/4d gate money; and a that the Albions might try to enlist the services of half-guinea donation. There was a balance of £3. Clapin, the Rev. A. Gray and E.M. Jones, all of 7/10d. whom played for Coventry (holders of the Midlands Counties Cup) and Sellicks, the captain of Devonshire. They were all Leamington men who it was thought might prefer to assist their town in 1892-93: Albions win Cup preference to outsiders and if their services could The annual meeting of the Albions was held on 26 be obtained, the Midland Counties Cup ought to be July, prior to its fourth season. It was held at the within their grasp. Things were not looking that Warwick Arms. Councillor Norris, the club good for the rugby code in the area generally President, was in charge and J. Tims was elected however. Leamington St. Mary’s who had been captain, with G.H. Tims his deputy. The committee competitive at the start of the season had “fallen to comprised Messrs J Clarke, F. Gomer, P. Robbins, pieces” and the other clubs in the town were W. Mills, J. Copper. J. deCani and F. Bartlett were thought unlikely to continue. re-elected as Hon Secretary and Treasurer respectively. At a special meeting on 23 August it Despite the Albions’ success, this can be regarded was agreed that the club should attempt to use the as the season when Association football became Tachbrook Road ground near to the Windmill Inn for the dominant code in the area, as was happening the coming season but this did not appear to

19 throughout the country. New clubs were forming In their defence of the Cup: after a first round bye, very rapidly and some such as Leamington Parish Nuneaton 2nd XV were defeated and the Albions Church converted from Rugby to Association rules. were then drawn away at Warwick Ancient Leamington Town FC, in its first season, won the Foresters, in what proved to be a controversial tie. inaugural Midland Daily Telegraph Cup, beating The game was lost by 5 points to 0, but the Albions Rudge United from Coventry in the final. In the appealed against the inclusion of five of the quarter-final, played in Leamington, they attracted a Foresters’ players, who had appeared for Warwick massive 3,000 crowd to see them defeat Singer Town in the Midland Counties Cup the previous Reserves, a level of support the rugby code could year, which made them ineligible. The appeal was not compete with. upheld and the game was replayed two weeks later. This time the Albions won by 1 try to nil. After easing past Rugby Loco in the semis, the final opponents were Southam, who were becoming their Leamington Albions 1892-93 biggest local rivals. The match was played at The S24 Stratford Crusaders L 2t 1g 1t H Butts in Coventry on 14 April and it was a O1 Leamington St Mary’s D 1 1t H stalemate, with neither side able to trouble the O8 Banbury Rovers W 3t Nil H scorer in normal or in extra time. It was therefore O15 Alcester W 1t 0 A replayed the following week and again there was no O22 Coventry Rudge W 2t 1t A score after 80 minutes. 20 minutes of extra time O29 Warwick Town W 1dg 2t Nil H was played and although there were chances for N5 Cov. St Thomas W 1p Nil A both sides it looked like being another stalemate, N19 Stratford Athletic W 6t Nil H until Gomer ran on to a pass from Dawkes and scored the winning try with three minutes to go. The D3 Banbury Rovers W 1t Nil A Cup was therefore retained. The winning team was D17 Stratford Crusaders W 1t Nil A - F Bull – Astill, Dawkes, Gomer, Walters – Bull, D24 Lord Street H Hutchings – Robbins, Tims, Wright, Dean, J28 Coventry Rudge D Nil Nil H Cashmore, Hawley, Ledbrooke, Barnett (Pignutt, F4 St Marys W 5t Nil A Batchelor and Friend played in the first final) F11 Rugby H F25 Stratford Crusaders W 2g nil A CDJC The other feature of the second half of the season M4 Stratford L Nil 1 dt H was the playing of a number of friendly games on M11 Southam W 1g Nil A CDJC Monday afternoons against quality visiting sides. M18 Rugby Loco H The additional games were against Newport A15 Cov. St Thomas W 2t Nil N CDJC Reserves and Abergavenny from Wales and Pendleton from Manchester. It is not clear why games were played on Mondays in mid-winter, other than the Pendleton game being on Easter Bank Holiday. It may be that Monday was the early closing day for shops in the town which would have released some of the players to play and spectators to attend. It was not expected that Albions would win any of these matches and this proved to be the case, but it was thought that the fixtures would help 1893-94: Albions keep Cup what was a young side to gain experience and The Albions had a new captain in P. Robbins and improve the status of the club. The extra games they played their home games at Leam Terrace adversely affected the overall results, but of those East. The season began with a local derby against recorded, 11 games were won, 9 lost and 3 drawn. Leamington St Mary’s which was won easily by 2 Nothing was heard of St Mary’s after the early part goals and 3 tries to nil and up to Christmas, 5 of the season but within the district the Warwick games were won and 3 lost, with 1 draw. The Town club, Avon Rovers and the Foresters were all reward for winning the Junior Cup was a Boxing operating along with Kenilworth Albion and the Day fixture against a Coventry & District Select XV. village sides such as Southam and the two The report of the game suggests that most of the Itchington’s. The Albions were the only club of note play was confined within the Albions’ 25 yard line, in Leamington. but the game was won by a try from G. Tims early in the second half. The sides were

ALBIONS: F Bull – Astill, Wise, Gomer, Robbins © -

Pignutt, Hawley – Dean, Friend, Cashmore, Batchelor, Wright, Barnett, Tims, Hutchings, COVENTRY & DISTRICT: Butlin (Rugby Loco) Grant (Southam) Standley, Elcross (Strat. Crus.) Bullimore (Avon Rov.) Bradshaw (Anc. For) Evetts (Southam) Mansell (Avon Rov) Pratt (Southam) Rowen, Aitken (Kenilworth) Waddington (Earlsdon) Spraggett , Minell (Long Itch) Ivens (Albions)

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Leamington Albions 1893-94 Southam finished on top, winning all of their games. S30 Leam St Mary’s W 2g 3t Nil H Southam were probably the best junior side in the O7 Moseley Reserves L 0 6 H area this season, gaining revenge over the Albions O14 Banbury Rovers W 4g 2t Nil A for their defeat in the Junior Cup final the season O21 Chipping Norton Institute W 1g 1t Nil H before and reaching the semi-final this time, before N4 Coventry St Thomas A losing to Rugby Loco in a replay. Loco beat N11 Coventry Rudge W 1g 4t 2g A Warwick Avon Rovers in the final, after Rovers had N18 Rugby Loco A put out Bedworth, the conquerors of the Albions.

N25 Moseley 2nd L Nil 3g 1t A

D2 Banbury Rovers H Leamington Albions 1894-95 D9 Rugby Loco H S22 Nuneaton L Nil 4g3t A D16 Stratford Athletic D 0 0 H S29 Bishops Itchington W 1dg 1t H D23 Southam L Nil 1g A O6 Coventry 3rd W 1t Nil H D26 Coventry & District W 1t 0 H O13 Rugby 2nd D Nil Nil A D30 Nuneaton Crusaders A H O20 Stratford Crusaders D Nil Nil H J6 Stratford Crusaders A O27 Southam L Nil 2t A J13 Rugby Loco D 1g 1g H N3 Camp Hill OE L 2t 1g1t H J27 Coventry Rudge L Nil 2g 1t H N10 Stratford 2nd W 2g2t 1t A J29 Newport Reserves L 1g 1g1t H N17 Avon Rovers D Nil Nil H F3 Southam W 1g1t Nil H N24 Rugby Loco L 1p Nil A F10 Coventry Albion W 2g2t 1g A D1 Coventry Hertford’s L It 1g 4t H F17 Stratford Athletic A D8 Coventry Reserves A F23 Nuneaton 2nd W 1t Nil A CDJC D15 Warwick Ancient Foresters W 1g 1t A F26 Abergavenny L 1g 3g D22 Rugby Town 2nd M3 Moseley Reserves L Nil 2g1t J5 Coventry Rudge A M10 Warwick Ancient Foresters L 0 5 A CDJC J12 Stratford 2nd M17 Warwick Ancient Foresters H J19 Warwick Ancient Foresters D Ip 1t H M23 Warwick Ancient Foresters W 1t Nil A CDJC J26 Earlsdon W 3t Nil H M26 Pendleton L Nil 2g4t H F2 Camp Hill OE H M31 Rugby Loco W 1t Nil H CDJC F16 Southam H A14 Southam D Nil Nil N CDJC F23 Long Itchington W 0 0 H A21 Southam W 1t Nil N CDJC M2 Coventry Albions W 5g2t Nil H

M9 Bedworth L Nil 1t H CDJC M16 Stratford Crusaders W 1t 0 H M23 Stratford Crusaders L 3 7 A M30 Bishops Itchington H

On 23rd February the Courier reported a meeting of 1894-95: New LRFC the new Leamington Rugby Club at the Clarendon The Albions suffered a dip in form this season. An Hotel, two days earlier. It appears that there had even record was achieved, but the opposition was been an inaugural meeting that was not reported. not always the strongest and included the second E.M. Jones (captain) presided and there was a teams of Stratford and Rugby and the Coventry good attendance. The club rules were passed and third team. Against Coventry Hertford’s they were Mr Clarke (Hon. Sec.) reported a strong list of vice- four men short and at Warwick Ancient Foresters presidents. The Earl of Warwick had been invited to they turned up with a weak team and the sides had become President and it was anticipated that he to be mixed together to ensure a good game. The would accept. Fixtures had already been arranged results are not all recorded after Christmas and for 1895-96 with Edgbaston Crusaders, some games were frozen off, but of those that are Handsworth, Nuneaton, Stratford, Rugby and known 8 were won and 7 lost with 4 draws. They Bromsgrove promising dates. Coventry and Old reached the third round of the Coventry and Junior Edwardians had offered fixtures against their Cup before going out to Bedworth by 1 try to nil, in reserves, but the club could not see its way to extra time. Their early season line-up against accepting this at the time. This was the second Nuneaton was - Harris - Astill, Wise, Robbins © attempt to get Leamington back into the big time Tims – Hawley, Taber – Wright, Barnett, Benning, after the demise of the Rovers in 1885 and a taste Hayes, Compton, Cotterill, Grey of what the town had been missing was given on 6 April when Coventry played Moseley in the final of The Coventry and District Junior Association the Midlands Counties Cup on the Portobello introduced a new league format this season which Ground at Emscote, the home of Warwick United included a Leamington division. The Albions did not AFC. Moseley won by a drop goal and a try to nil enter, but Southam, Kenilworth Albions, Warwick Ancient Foresters, Warwick Avon Rovers, Long Itchington and Bishops Itchington all did and

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1895-96: First season were 5 wins, 3 draws and 14 losses. It was a The annual general meeting of the new Leamington disappointing start. club was held at the Clarendon Hotel on 7th September 1895, with Mr A.C. Jones presiding. The Southam had another good season finishing Earl of Warwick was elected as President, with the runners up in the Coventry & District Junior league, Hon. Alfred Lyttelton MP, Mr F.A. Newdigate MP losing only to the winners: Bedworth. They had and Mr M.P. Lucas as Vice-Presidents. M.H. Clarke another good run in the Junior Cup, losing to Rugby became Secretary and Mr Stevens, Treasurer. The Loco in a replayed semi-final. following were elected to serve on the Committee – Messrs Astill, Wise, Brown, Gill, E. Gaussen, and V. In August 1895, 22 clubs seceded from the RFU Jepson. At a further meeting on 23 September, it and formed the independent Northern Football was decided that the club should play in sage green Union, over the issue of amateurism and their wish jerseys with white collars, which it was thought to make “broken time” payments to their players for would look “very pretty”. Home games were to be loss of earnings. This in time became the Rugby played on the Old Warwick Road. League and another different code of football. The effect on the RFU was catastrophic as its E.M. Jones was elected as captain. Although a local membership slumped from 481 clubs in 1893 to 242 man he had played for the Coventry club and was in 1903. It took until 1925 to get back to the 1895 named by the Courier as one of the players the level of affiliation and the England international side Albions should try to attract, after their cup success suffered accordingly. Whether this affected in 1893. Another player on this wish-list was Sellick, Midlands clubs and Leamington in particular, is not who was elected a vice-captain, although he does clear. not appear to have played. The Albions wound-up in favour of the town club. Leamington RFC 1895-96 The opening game was against the formidable S28 Edgbaston Crusaders L Nil 1t A Edgbaston Crusaders and a with a lot of last minute O5 Handsworth W 2g 2t A changes it was feared that Leamington would be O12 Warwick School D 1t 1t A unable to make a fight of it, but expertly marshalled O19 Leamington College W 8g3t Nil H by E.M. Jones they went down only to an unlucky O26 Nuneaton L Nil 11t a try in the last minute. Handsworth were beaten in N2 Oxford the second game and there followed home and N9 Stratford L Nil 1g2t H away fixtures against Leamington College and N16 Warwick School L 1t 1g1t Warwick School. Warwick had the slight edge, N23 Stoneygate L 1g 2t H drawing the first game and winning the second, but N30 Leamington College W 2g4t Nil A the College were very inexperienced and were D7 Handsworth D Nil Nil H beaten easily both times. The team for the first D14 Nuneaton D Nil Nil H Warwick game was – T. Saul – F.H. Thelwell, J.T. D21 Wolverhampton L 1t 1t1d H Williams, Wise – A. Barnett, F. Pullen – H.M. Caunter, A. Duschense, R. Barnett, G. Tims, W. D26 Bedford Wanderers L 1g 1p2t H Batchelor, C. Dean, E.M. Jones, Harper. F.G. D28 Moseley A Rivington and A.E. Gaussen who were also J4 Mr Hall’s XV L 0 7 H Leamington players, turned out for the school. J11 Stratford W 1g1t Nil H J18 Wolverhampton L Nil 3g2t A Wins were hard to come by through the autumn and F1 Coventry 2nd L 1g 2g A into the second half of the season and although F8 St John’s College, Oxon W 2t 1g H some draws were obtained, most games were lost F15 Edgbaston Crusaders L 1t 1g1t H and the only victories were against Stratford (in one F22 Stratford L 1p 1g3t A of three derby games against them) and St John’s F29 Trinity College Stratford L 1g 3g1t A College, Oxford. In the Midland Counties Cup, M14 Oadby W 1g1t Nil A MCC Oadby were the first round opponents in mid-March M21 Rugby L 3 21 H MCC and Leamington went through with a comfortable win by a goal and a try to nil. In the next round they drew Rugby at home. Despite fielding a number of reserves, Leamington had the edge in the backs but didn’t take their chances and the opportunity to cause an upset was lost as they went down by 21- 3. The team for the Oadby game was - Horley – Gaussen, Bennett, Airey, Williams – Dakeyne, 1896-97: All is lost Barnett – Jones, T Jones, Rivington, Harper, R. The second season of the new club opened with the Barnett, Forbes, Batchelor, Wright visit of Nuneaton at the end of September, and as a sign of things to come, Leamington, as the home There may be a few games missing but most of the side, could only turn out thirteen players and were Leamington results are recorded and of these there hammered 43-3. Narrow defeats against Handsworth and Stoneygate suggested things

22 might be stabilising, but after conceding eight tries dissolved and the match was cancelled. Although in a 38-3 defeat at Rugby it was all downhill from other fixtures were planned, there are no further there with a succession of big losses leading up to results available and the club appears to have gone Christmas. Only two results are recoded for the the same way as Bromsgrove, although nothing is second half of the season - a 14-0 loss to Stratford known about whether it was formally wound-up. in February and a 23-3 defeat by Camp Hill Old Edwardians in round one of the Midland Counties Cup in March. Again, only thirteen players turned up Leamington RFC – 1897-98 at home. They were - Jones – Gaussen, O9 Handsworth L 1g 3g4t A Lamplough, P. Fell – H.P. Fell, Ryves – Field, O16 Stoneygate L H Flood, Vernon, Barnett, Galloway, Clarke, Colley O23 Bromsgrove C O30 KES Birmingham A The known results for the season were 11 games N20 Handsworth H played and 11 defeats. The only positive events were that F.G. Rivington played twice for the

Midland Counties against Gloucestershire and Kent in the autumn, the first Leamington player to be so And so, a promising start by Leamington Rovers, in honoured since the days of the Rovers, and O. the earliest days of rugby football, which could have Lloyd-Evans won a Blue for Cambridge University. resulted in an on-going first class club, on a par with Both are believed to be ex-Warwick schoolboys. No towns of a similar size, such as Nuneaton and other sides in Leamington or Warwick are recorded Rugby (who both kept going) rugby football in as being in action this season. Southam continued Leamington sank without a trace in 1897 and as far to play regularly and strongly, beating Napton in the as is known did not resurface until the modern first round of the Coventry Junior Cup and going on Leamington Rugby Club was established in 1926. to lift the trophy for the first time by defeating

Coventry Albions 6-5 in the final, by two tries to one Nothing specific has been found to indicate what goal. The winning Southam team was (as selected) caused this to happen. Dodgy finances were - Redgraves – J. Grant, Bicknell, Gaskins, A. probably significant in the case of the Leamington Herbert – Evetts, Morbey – Baldwin, Hudson, club, but this does not explain why the other clubs Hughes, E. Grant (Captain) Umbers, Hancocks, in the area disappeared. The split between rugby Duckett and Cardell union and rugby league; schools no longer playing

Leamington RFC 1896/97 the game or providing a player feed; the economic S26 Nuneaton L 3 43 H downturn and a changing social profile of the town may all be contributing factors, but their significance O3 Handsworth L Nil 2t A is not clear. The local press was unable to offer an O17 Stoneygate L Nil 2t A explanation. The Warwick Advertiser reported that O24 Rugby L 1t 7g1t A “the game is as dead as a doornail in Leamington N7 Stratford H and Warwick District and nothing is yet heard of the N14 Camp Hill OE L 0 20 H resumption of operations of the Leamington club N28 Wolverhampton L Nil 4g3t H whose headquarters were on the Old Warwick D5 Nuneaton A Road last season”. The most likely explanation is D12 Coventry 2nd L 1t 1g4t H that the Association code replaced rugby as the D19 Rugby Star L Nil 1g2t H popular game for both players and spectators. J2 Stoneygate A Large crowds, with large income allowed the J16 Wolverhampton L H development of a professional or semi-professional J30 Handsworth H game which would have made it more attractive F13 Stratford L 0 14 A than amateur rugby union to many potential players. M6 Camp Hill OE L 3 23 H MCC The game appears to have continued in south Warwickshire with Stratford almost reaching first class standard and winning the Midlands Counties 1897-98: End of the line Cup in 1908. Southam continued to do well, playing The third season for the Leamington club started mostly against Coventry and Rugby junior sides. late, on 9th October, with a visit to Handsworth. It is They won the Coventry Junior Cup for a second reported that they played 4 players short, although time in 1900. Napton also had a good side and their line-up (as below) features 12 men. were their fierce rivals. Stockton and Bishops Handsworth won by 3 goals and 4 tries to a goal – Itchington also continued to play. Southam appear L. Evans – G. Fell, H. Lamplough, G.E. Gordon, to have gone into decline from around 1905, when J.H. Burnside - E. Wilmott, W.L. Ryves – Forbes, an Association club was formed in the town, with Legge, Archer, Wood, Johnson the same impact as in Leamington. A game was played on Christmas Day in 1908 to try and revive The following week Stoneygate visited Old Warwick interest in the game in the village, but it seems to Road and won thanks to an early score. Gaussen have come to nothing. The RFU suspended fixtures and Lamplough excelled for the home side in a on the outbreak of War in 1914. spirited performance. Bromsgrove were due to be the next opponents but the Worcestershire club was

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Unlike some other clubs which closed down and restarted later, Leamington does not claim continuity from Victorian times. The 1926 club is regarded as a new entity and the only link that has been found is the Dawkes family. A. T. (Arthur) and H. Dawkes played through from the end of the Rovers era until the closure of the third incarnation of the club in 1897. They are both recorded as been involved in restarting the modern club and attending the inaugural general meeting. A. T. Dawkes served on the first committee and another Arthur Dawkes (his son?) played a few times in the first season.

John Lyons Honorary Secretary Leamington RFC February 2013

PS Photographs of the above era are rare. The one below is known to include Frank Herbert (centre with cap) father of Doug Herbert who played for Leamington in the 1930s. It is thought to have been taken about 1900. The cap still exists and is marked C&DJRFU – the Coventry and District Union. It is known that caps were awarded to the winners of the Coventry & District Junior Cup (Instead of medals) and that a family of Herberts’ played for Southam around this time. Southam won the junior cup in 1896 and 1900 and it is suspected this may be a Southam team (but they would all have caps?) or a Coventry and District representative side.

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