rovers, saints and albions · rugby football in victorian leamington introduction although the...

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1 Rovers, Saints and Albions Rugby Football in Victorian Leamington Introduction Although the modern Leamington Rugby Club was not formed until 1926, there was an earlier town club in in Victorian times, known as Leamington Rovers. Not much was known about them but it was thought that this club folded at some time during the 1890s, along with all the other rugby clubs in the area. By trawling through the local newspapers of the time and the various on-line sources now available, it has been possible to put together a record of the Rovers and the early years of the rugby game in Leamington, when gas-light and horse drawn carriages were the norm. Rugby Rules The development of organised sport, including football, was a feature of Victorian life. Football had its origins in games and pastimes dating date back to Roman times and in the middle ages, mass street-games were played in towns and villages throughout the country on Shrove Tuesday and 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 from the early 1800s, different forms of football were played in the major public schools, as a way of providing hearty and healthy exercise for the boys. Each school developed its own set of rules to suit its particular circumstances. Several factors came together which allowed the game to develop during the mid-1800s. When students left school or university (only Oxbridge then) many were keen to continue to play football in their home towns and cities, which were expanding rapidly. Working men were given Saturday afternoons off and were looking for ways of using their new leisure time to let off steam. The 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. With every school or club having its own rules, when they came together, their captains had to 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 over the goal line during a match in 1823. The technique of “running in” to score a “try at goal” was subsequently included in Rugby’s rules in 1845. The Rugby Rules became popular and were spread widely by old boys. The first clubs playing to these rules were formed in the 1840s Guys Hospital (1843) is thought to be the first and others soon followed. Other forms of football were developing however, with the kicking style becoming ever more popular. Sheffield Football Club (1857) drew up its rules (the Sheffield Rules) which became widely used in the north and midlands. The need for uniformity became more and more vital and so, in 1863, a group of clubs in London met to draw up a common set of rules. This resulted in the formation of the Football Association, whose rules favoured kicking and dribbling with the ball and incorporated some of the Sheffield Rules, such as heading. They banned handling and the more violent features of the Rugby game, including charging, tripping and particularly, shin-hacking. Blackheath and Richmond withdrew from the group and along with the other clubs that preferred a handling game, formed the Rugby Football Union, in 1871. Separate codes for Association and Rugby Football therefore came into being - the RFU “laws” (written by lawyers) being based on the Rugby School rules, but without the shin-hacking. Most clubs decided to go one way or the other but some played both codes during the early years of separation. Many of the early clubs were simply teams which formed organically through the efforts of committed individuals. They were often school old boys, or were based on firms, cricket clubs (looking for winter activity) and particularly church teams, as 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 constituted clubs. The following clubs came into being in the Midlands over the next decade: Burton (1870), Lutterworth (1872), Moseley, Northampton, Rugby (1873), Coventry, Wolverhampton, Lichfield (1874), Long Buckby (1875), Stratford (c.1877), Nuneaton (1879) and Leicester (1880). Leamington Rovers (1876) were one of this early tranche of Midlands clubs. Although the 1871 laws remain basically similar today, there have been some significant changes, both in in how the game is played, the scoring method, the refereeing and the terminology used. Some of the early rules are summarised below. The number of players per side was formally reduced from 20 to 15 in 1877, but numbers were probably fluid in the early days, because of player availability and particularly when involving clubs that alternated between Rugby and Association. Positions on the field were different or were described differently. The usual 15 a-side line up was 1 back, 3 three-quarter backs, 2 half-backs 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 to gain position for the half backs to attempt a drop at goal, a kick from a mark or a pass to the three quarters, for them to touch down as close to the

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Page 1: Rovers, Saints and Albions · Rugby Football in Victorian Leamington Introduction Although the modern Leamington Rugby Club was not formed until 1926, there was an earlier town club

1

Rovers, Saints and Albions Rugby Football in Victorian Leamington

Introduction Although the modern Leamington Rugby Club was not formed until 1926, there was an earlier town club in in Victorian times, known as Leamington Rovers. Not much was known about them but it was thought that this club folded at some time during the 1890s, along with all the other rugby clubs in the area. By trawling through the local newspapers of the time and the various on-line sources now available, it has been possible to put together a record of the Rovers and the early years of the rugby game in Leamington, when gas-light and horse drawn carriages were the norm.

Rugby Rules The development of organised sport, including football, was a feature of Victorian life. Football had its origins in games and pastimes dating date back to Roman times and in the middle ages, mass street-games were played in towns and villages throughout the country on Shrove Tuesday and 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 from the early 1800s, different forms of football were played in the major public schools, as a way of providing hearty and healthy exercise for the boys. Each school developed its own set of rules to suit its particular circumstances.

Several factors came together which allowed the game to develop during the mid-1800s. When students left school or university (only Oxbridge then) many were keen to continue to play football in their home towns and cities, which were expanding rapidly. Working men were given Saturday afternoons off and were looking for ways of using their new leisure time to let off steam. The 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.

With every school or club having its own rules, when they came together, their captains had to 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 over the goal line during a match in 1823. The technique of “running in” to score a “try at goal” was subsequently included in Rugby’s rules in 1845. The Rugby Rules became popular and were spread widely by old boys. The first clubs playing to these rules were formed in the 1840s – Guy’s Hospital (1843) is thought to be the first and others soon followed.

Other forms of football were developing however, with the kicking style becoming ever more popular. Sheffield Football Club (1857) drew up its rules (the Sheffield Rules) which became widely used in the

north and midlands. The need for uniformity became more and more vital and so, in 1863, a group of clubs in London met to draw up a common set of rules. This resulted in the formation of the Football Association, whose rules favoured kicking and dribbling with the ball and incorporated some of the Sheffield Rules, such as heading. They banned handling and the more violent features of the Rugby game, including charging, tripping and particularly, shin-hacking. Blackheath and Richmond withdrew from the group and along with the other clubs that preferred a handling game, formed the Rugby Football Union, in 1871. Separate codes for Association and Rugby Football therefore came into being - the RFU “laws” (written by lawyers) being based on the Rugby School rules, but without the shin-hacking. Most clubs decided to go one way or the other but some played both codes during the early years of separation.

Many of the early clubs were simply teams which formed organically through the efforts of committed individuals. They were often school old boys, or were based on firms, cricket clubs (looking for winter activity) and particularly church teams, as 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 constituted clubs. The following clubs came into being in the Midlands over the next decade: Burton (1870), Lutterworth (1872), Moseley, Northampton, Rugby (1873), Coventry, Wolverhampton, Lichfield (1874), Long Buckby (1875), Stratford (c.1877), Nuneaton (1879) and Leicester (1880). Leamington Rovers (1876) were one of this early tranche of Midlands clubs.

Although the 1871 laws remain basically similar today, there have been some significant changes, both in in how the game is played, the scoring method, the refereeing and the terminology used. Some of the early rules are summarised below.

The number of players per side was formally reduced from 20 to 15 in 1877, but numbers were probably fluid in the early days, because of player availability and particularly when involving clubs that alternated between Rugby and Association. Positions on the field were different or were described differently. The usual 15 a-side line up was – 1 back, 3 three-quarter backs, 2 half-backs 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 to gain position for the half backs to attempt a drop at goal, a kick from a mark or a pass to the three quarters, for them to touch down as close to the

Page 2: Rovers, Saints and Albions · Rugby Football in Victorian Leamington Introduction Although the modern Leamington Rugby Club was not formed until 1926, there was an earlier town club

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posts as possible, to facilitate a try at goal. The game was decided in favour of the team scoring the most goals. In 1885 the scoring was changed so that if the number of goals was equal, the game would be decided by the most tries scored. More informally, other methods of count-back or “minors” were used to decide the winning team, or “the draw in favour” of the side which had forced the opposition to concede most touches, or touchdowns behind their own line. A points’ scoring system was not introduced until 1888-89, which gave 3 points for a goal, 2 for a penalty goal and 1 for a try. These values were changed in 1891 to allow 5 for a goal, 2 for a try, 3 for a penalty and 4 for a drop goal, or a kick from a mark.

The refereeing of the game in the early years was done by the two captains. By 1871 both sides provided an umpire, but the captains remained as the arbiters of all disputes. These were common and there are many local references to crowd trouble and teams walking off in disgust at the perceived unwillingness of their opponents to umpire fairly. Independent referees (with whistles) first appeared in the 1885-86 season.

The Beginnings 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 development. It grew from being a small village of around 300 people at the start of the 19

th century to

become a prosperous spa resort, with a population of almost 23,000 by 1881. Its expansion and prosperity was due largely to the popularity of the salt water treatments available. This attracted many wealthy visitors and residents and healthy exercise was advocated by the eminent medical men of the town as an accompaniment to their medical therapies.

Various sports and pastimes developed in order to satisfy and entertain the growing population. The local hunt met on six days a week and the Leamington Grand Steeplechase was first run in 1826. There were various local cricket teams from the 1820s onwards and the town also hosted major archery events Leamington Real Tennis Club was opened in 1846 and the first Lawn Tennis Club in the world was formed in 1872, three years before Wimbledon. The railways reached Leamington in 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

1875 a match was played under Association rules between Gingeriferas and Coventry Wanderers, which was drawn. The local side comprised – J.M. Feasey, K. Young, Bone, Gibson, P and T. Muddeman, Curren, G. Rogers, Jones, Standbridge and Tredwell. Some of these players appeared in an embryonic Leamington town side, which began playing under Rugby rules against local opposition in 1875-76. Nineteen year old, H.C. “Hal” King is credited as being the driving force behind the formation of the side and was regarded as its star player. He had recently moved to the town from Marlborough School to take up articles with Field & Sons, Solicitors. On 20 November 1875 the “town club” played against Whitnash Cricket and Football Club, at Leam Terrace East, with Whitnash coming out on top. On 5 February 1876 they played Leamington College at the College Ground. The Leamington side was: Hill (back) - Standbridge (3/4) – Field, Beck (1/2) – Young, Gascoigne, Rogers, Littlewood, 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 other results are recorded for that season.

1876-77: Rovers formed A meeting was held at the Manor House Hotel on 19

th August 1876, to form a permanent football club

in the town, to be known as Leamington Rovers. H.C. King was in the Chair and he was elected as club captain. W.K. Young was elected as Treasurer and Secretary and the Committee comprised Messrs. F. Glover, C. DuMoulin, J. Beck, W. Gascoyne and C. Standbridge. The initial membership was 40 and other gentlemen wishing to join in the “capital winter sport” were invited to send in their names. The Committee then drew up the rules of the club and intended that, besides playing both Rugby Union and the London and Sheffield Association rules, the club should also play hockey and other games. The colours adopted were red and white. Home games were to be played at Leam Terrace East, which was also a venue for cricket matches. The field is thought to have been where the reservoir is now situated, behind the New Inn and the allotments, as shown on the map below.

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In its first proper season, the new club played 21 matches, winning 13, drawing 4 and losing 3, with one result unaccounted for. The first game was 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 Stratford College. The first club opponents were Edgbaston Crusaders and they inflicted the Rovers’ first defeat. After securing a draw against Exeter College, the Rovers played at All Saints School, Bloxham, with a weak side, and in a continual downpour the school triumphed by 4 goals to nil. The game was 9-a-side and this earliest known line-up was - E. Young, Bell, Howard, Gascoigne, Summerton, Maycock, Gill, A Wheal and R Wheal. On Wednesday 6 December the Rovers took on Leamington College at Leam Terrace. This game was described as having been played in about half a foot of slush and water. The College boys fought hard but they were overmatched and their “lack of amphibiousness” told against them. The game was won by 10 goals to nil and the students didn’t fare much better in the return fixture later in the season, going down by 8 goals. This began a winning run, interspersed with the occasional draw, which continued throughout the winter months. Opponents 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.

Although it was intended that the Rovers would play both Rugby and Association Rules, as far as is known, only two Association games were played this season, both against the Coventry Association club. These games were won comfortably. In the second game, W. Gascoyne scored both goals in a 2-0 win. There are reports that Association Football was frowned upon by the local establishment and that the more familiar game of Rugby rules was preferred for gentlemen, despite a lot of bad publicity concerning its violence and barbarity. The first Association clubs did not appear in the town until around 1890 By the end of the season the membership of the club numbered around 100, although some 20 of the original members had drifted away. There were around 40-50 players and although teams were reduced to 15 players during the season, this was somewhat academic as Rovers often had to make do with 9 or 10. As to individual performances, it was reported that skipper H.C. King, played fairly well at three-quarter and was described as being lucky with his dropped goals. Rutherford and Bell also played well in the backs. Of the forwards, E. Young and G. Gill “played up to their well-known form” and of the new players: W. Young, R. Wheal, C. Standbridge and Walmsley made great progress. The club held its first annual post-season supper at the Crown Hotel on 19

th April. About 25 members

and guests attended and H.C. King presided. Some

excellent songs added much to the enjoyment of the evening [Lloyd George was 14 at the time and was unlikely to have known any of their fathers!].

Leamington Rovers 1876-77

Allesley Park College W

Stratford College W

Edgbaston L Nil 1g 2td H

Exeter College D 1g 1g

D2 All Saints, Bloxham L Nil 4g A

D6 Leamington College W 10g Nil H

D9 Coventry Association W H

Leamington College W 8g Nil

D16 Stratford Town W

Scorpions D

Stratford Town W

J13 Banbury W 3g 2t 12td Nil A

J20 Rugby Crusaders W 1g 1td 1g H

J27 Edgbaston D 2td Nil H

F3 Stratford College W

F10 Coventry Association W 2 0 A

BNC Flutterers W

Rugby Crusaders D

Coventry L Nil 3t A

M24 New College H

1877-78 The second annual meeting the club was held on October 21 at the Manor House Hotel. W. Willes consented to become President of the club, H.C. King was re-elected as captain and W.K. Young and G. Gill became joint Treasurer and Secretary. H. Field, W. Bell, J.P. Beck, W. Gascoyne and C. Standbridge were elected to the Committee. The main decisions to come from the meeting were to raise annual subscription levels to 5/- (25p) and to award medals for the best drop kick and place kick at goal, to be decided on in an end of season competition.

Although matches had been arranged with most of the surrounding clubs, as there were few of these, the fixture list still depended heavily on games with local school sides. The season commenced at Leam Terrace on 20 October against Stratford College. The boys were outweighed and Rovers won by a goal, converted by King. Three losses followed – to Edgbaston, Birmingham Athletic Club and Wednesbury Strollers. The Wednesbury game was in the first round of the Birmingham & District Cup, and was lost 5-0. It was probably the last Association game played by the Rovers. The Rovers’ form picked up after that and Rugby Crusaders were beaten in the gloom at the end November and Stratford were beaten twice. For the Edgbaston game in January there was a breakdown on the Hatton line which delayed the start. The game was then curtailed due to bad light and the

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Courier does not record the result, which appears to have been a draw. The closing match of the season was the return game against Coventry, played in front of some 600 spectators, at Leam Terrace. As with the first match this game was drawn (in favour of Leamington) with Coventry conceding five touchdowns to Rovers’ one. The side was – H.T. Rutherford - H.C. King, W. Bell - G. Gill, E. Wheeler - C.D. Curry, Hawkins, W. Howard, T. Winterton, C. Standbridge, W. Gascoyne, F. Glover, Thornley, W.R. Branson, Hodkinson

Leamington Rovers 1877-78

O20 Stratford College W 1g 4td 1t 2td H

O27 Edgbaston L A

N3 Birmingham Athletic Club L Nil 1t H

N10 Wednesbury Strollers L 0 5 A

N17 Allesley Park College A

N24 Rugby Crusaders W 1t Nil H

D1 Rotten Park, Bham A

D8 Stratford W 3t Nil H

D22 Coventry D A

D29 Moseley H

J5 Handsworth A

J12 Edgbaston D A

J19 Stratford W A

J26 Rugby A

F2 Coventry Association H

F9 Moseley A

F16 Rugby L Nil 1g + td A

M9 Coventry Association A

M23 Coventry D 5td 1td H

M30 Handsworth C - - H

In all, 16 games were played with 8 wins, 4 draws and 4 losses. This was down on the results of the previous year, but 8 of that team had left the club and ill health deprived them of the services of K. Young, one of their more energetic forwards. There was a host of new forwards including Leaver, Winterton and Jackson, but the established members, including: Howard, Gascoyne, Glover, Standbridge, Gill, Beck Rutherford and King were still “well to the fore”. A second team played Warwick College in December. The only other local club mentioned in reports was Whitnash, who defeated Rugby 2

nd XV in February.

1878-79: King abdicates The third AGM was held at the Avenue Hotel on Tuesday, 2 August 1778. W. Willes was re-elected as President, with H.C. King remaining as captain, supported by W. Bell as his vice-captain. Messrs Standbridge, Gascoyne, Field, Curry and Young completed the committee. It was decided to field an occasional second XV this season, to play the second strings of Warwick School, Leamington College and Stratford College. C. Wincote Jnr was elected to captain the side. The Club decided to change its colours, from red and white, to black,

with a skull and crossbones on the chest. This was the same emblem as used by the School House of Rugby School. The connection, if any, is not known but it was popular with a number of clubs at the time, including Cardiff and the Barbarians. Ground admission prices were set at 6d (2.5p) and 3d. As the season was about to get underway, the Courier published a letter from H.C. King, stating that only 27 of the 87 members the previous season 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 was also noted, in order to counteract crowd trouble, that under no circumstances would anyone except the two umpires be admitted within the roped off area around the pitch. Frank Glover, the editor of the Courier, wrote to his own paper the following week as Treasurer of Leamington and South Warwickshire Cricket club with a similar complaint about non-payment by his membership. So frustrated was he that he said that the post of Treasurer was” an office I would be glad to resign if any ambitious person is desirous of that honourable distinction”. Some things never change and the issue of non-payment of subscriptions would come to haunt the Rovers later on.

The opening game was against Birmingham Athletic Club on 12 October. The Birmingham side came out on top by a goal, a try and a “poster”, to a try and a disputed try. Ratcliff and King touched down for Rovers who were unlucky that they were two men short from the start and then lost Ratcliff to injury for most of the game. Wins against Stratford College, Stratford Rangers and Queens College, Birmingham followed. The backs were in grand form against Queens’ with King scoring a magnificent drop goal to add to tries from Gill, Beck and Fagge, one of which was converted. The second defeat came against Leamington College when Rovers went down by 5 goals to 2, fielding a scratch side, with only five Rovers’ players - the rest being outsiders. The game against Edgbaston Crusaders, on 7 December, was an evening kick-off, played under the new-fangled electric light, near the Greyhound Inn at Emscote. A number of experimental games 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 by a try and 2 touchdowns to 1 touchdown at the time and claimed this as a win. The event was not regarded as a success and was not repeated. There was then a long freeze between the middle of December and early February. It is not clear whether there were any games played during this period, but things got underway again when Rovers won the return fixtures against Leamington College, Stratford and Edgbaston Crusaders, scoring a total of 11 goals, 12 tries and 42 touchdowns in the three games. Further successes against Stratford

Page 5: Rovers, Saints and Albions · Rugby Football in Victorian Leamington Introduction Although the modern Leamington Rugby Club was not formed until 1926, there was an earlier town club

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College, Edgbaston and Queens College Oxford followed. “Many a bruised shin bore testimony to the hard fought game against Oxford”. The third defeat was at Coventry in the last match of the season when the Rovers were “over-weighted” by the home side.

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 10

th 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

off-shoot of the Rovers. The captain was Lt. King, the Secretary was Q.M. Sgt. Beck and others were dual members. They also played at Leam Terrace East. The Volunteers were scheduled to play the Rovers twice during the season but the results are 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.

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Leamington Rovers 1878-79

O12 B’ham Athletic Club L 1t1dt 1g1t A

O19 Stratford College W 1g1t Nil H

O26 Stratford Rangers W 1t5td Nil A

N9 Volunteers

N23 Queens College B’ham W 2g3t Nil H

N30 Leamington College L H

D7 Edgbaston Crusaders W 1g3td 1td H

D14 Edgbaston

D28 Coventry

J4 Coventry H

J18 Volunteers

F1 Queens College B’ham A

F8 Leamington College W A

F15 Stratford W H

F22 Edgbaston Crusaders W 3g 5t 1t H

M1 Stratford College W 2g1td A

M8 Birmingham Athletic H

M15 Edgbaston W 1g2t+tds 1td A

M19 St John’s College, Oxon W 1g3td 1t H

M29 Coventry L A

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.

Rovers then entertained Coventry and won convincingly by 3 goals to nil. King ran the show scoring a brilliant try and kicking all three goals. The following Saturday they joined up with Coventry in playing as a joint side against Rugby, Burton and Derby as a trial for the Midland Counties side. The local combination won by 2 goals and a try to 1 goal and a try. A number of results are missing but wins are recorded against Edgbaston Crusaders, Stratford and Leamington College (Past & Present) prior to Christmas. This good form was carried over into the new year, with wins against Wolverhampton Lancers and the return game against Stratford, when Bellot, Crawford, Gascoyne and Standbridge all scored tries and veterans Standbridge and Gascoyne kicked goals. The only other results found are against Banbury, who Rovers drew with and then lost to near the end of the season. The line-up against Stratford Rangers in January was – C. Hannay - C.D. Curry © Crawford - Bellot, Howard - Standbridge, Gascoyne, Branson, Young, Hiron, Hancock, Mills, Mitchell, Ricketts, Beck

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The Volunteers held their second AGM on 26 August 1879. Lt H.C King resigned as captain, as he had from the Rovers and Lt. Frank Glover took over from him, with Sgt. Beck becoming his vice-captain. Pte. W Gascoyne was elected as secretary and Sgt. Wheal as Treasurer to complete the Rovers’ connection. In this, their second season, the Volunteers had developed a strong fixture list, including teams played by the Rovers. The known results are that they beat Coventry St Marys, won and lost to Edgbaston Crusaders and lost to Handsworth. Their line-up against Dudley in December was – Bloomfield – W. Gascoyne, Cleverley – E. Davies Hawkins - Ratcliff, Wheildon, Randall, Lewis, Read, J. Gascoyne, Hawkes and Watkin.

Leamington Rovers 1879-80

04 Moseley W 1g2td 1g1td H

O11 Coventry W 3g Nil H

O18 Joint match W 2g 1t4td 1g1t

O25 Rugby H

N1 Edgbaston Crusaders W 2t Nil A

N8 Stratford W 2g1t Nil A

N15 Queens College B’ham. H

N22 Wolverhampton Lancers A

N29 Past & Present W 4g1t 8td Nil A

D6 Stratford College

D13 Past & Present H

D21 Stratford

D28 Handsworth H

J3 Wolverhampton Lancers W 4t Nil A

J10 Stratford Rangers W 2g5t 9td Nil H

J17 Handsworth A

J24 Wolverhampton Lancers H

J31 Coventry A

F7 Rugby A

F14 Moseley A

F21 Banbury Rovers D H

F28 Queens College B’ham A

M6 Edgbaston Crusaders H

M13 Stratford College H

M20 Banbury L Nil 1g1t A

M27 Past & Present H

1880-81: More disputes The season opened with a game against Leamington College. It was drawn in favour of Rovers although they played two men down throughout. Moseley then proved far too strong and won easily by 2 goals and 5 tries to a solitary touch down. Allesley Park College were beaten comfortably at the end of October but the return match, a few weeks later, ended prematurely in controversial circumstances, as the overpowered students sought to avoid defeat by the refusal of two legitimate tries against them. Rovers felt that enough was enough and claimed victory through 2 Pritchard tries, one of which was converted.

Results were patchy through the autumn. A win against Edgbaston Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club

was followed by a defeat at Edgbaston Crusaders the following week, when Rovers were unable to field their best backs and went down heavily. A first ever game against Burton was won against depleted opposition who are reported as fielding only 11 men. Smith scored the only (disputed) try.

Dudley was another first time opponent and their visit to Leamington proved to be an unpleasant affair. According to “The Midland Athlete”, newspaper, Dudley were developing a reputation for unsporting conduct. Two of the three tries scored against Dudley were disputed but the remaining one still left Rovers as narrow winners. Rugby were extremely lucky to sneak a win in the next game, which started late and had to finish after an hour, with Rugby exhausted and hanging on. The new year began with a narrow win over Banbury, which was followed by the first meeting of the season with Coventry. On a hard frosty ground the game began with 14 against 12 until the stragglers arrived late. Power scored the only try, converted by Crabb, to give Rovers the win. The Rovers’ team was - Mulliner – Pritchard, Crabb, S.D. Crawford, - G. Gill, H. Bellot – C. Standbridge, W. Gascoyne, Wheal, Power, Browne, A.S. Wheildon, Smith, P. Winterton, Howard. Of the remaining fixtures, most of the results are missing, but wins were achieved against Leamington College (Past & Present), Rugby and Banbury, with Wilkins and Bellot scoring tries. A game against Handsworth resulted in a draw. The newly formed Leicester club were another new name on the fixture list in their inaugural season and two games were scheduled. The results are not recorded. Overall, of the scores that can be traced, Rovers won 8, drew 2 and lost 3.

Leamington Rovers 1880-81

S25 Leamington College D H

O9 Moseley L 1td 3g5t2td

O23 Allesley Park College W 2g+tds Nil H

O30 Edgbaston C& LTC W 1g2t2td 1t H

N6 Edgbaston Crusaders L 1td 3g3t1td A

N13 Burton W 1t4td 1td H

N20 Dudley W 2t 3td 1t1td H

N27 Rugby L 4td 1t1td A

D4 Allesley Park College W 1g1t7td 1g A

D11 Leamington College W 1g1t Nil H

D18 Handsworth L Nil 2g2t A

D27 Leicester H

J1 Banbury W 1t 0 A

J8 Coventry W 1g3td 1td H

J15 Edgbaston Crusaders H

J22 Burton A

J29 Rugby H

F5 Edgbaston C& LTC A

F12 Leicester A

F19 Stratford College H

F26 Past & Present W 1g1t+tds 1t H

M5 Rugby W 2t Nil H

M12 Leamington College A

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Elsewhere in the town, the Volunteers’ fixtures are not recorded. One new name that does appear is a team comprising employees of Nelsons’ (Emscote). They called themselves The Buffs and played against the White Star Club. A team known as Warwick Excelsior played Stratford Town. The Midland Counties played Yorkshire, Oxford University and Gloucestershire. G. Gill, A.S. Browne and H. Rawlinson all played for the Midlands.

1881-82: Midlands Final The General Meeting was held on the 24

th of

September at the Bath Street Hotel with Edward Field in the chair. There was a deficit of £14 on the previous season, due largely to the provision of ropes and stakes to control spectators. Arrears of subscriptions amounted to £12 and it was resolved that those who had not paid within a month would be removed from the membership. Mr Moreton Lucas was elected as President with Mr E. Field the Vice-President. Mr Mitchell was elected as Secretary and George Gill as captain. Although the fixture list was printed in the Courier, 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 losses to Coventry and Leicester and a heavy defeat by Moseley, who scored a goal and 7 tries. The main event of this season was the first year of the Midland Counties Cup, which included all the best team in the Midlands. Rovers were drawn at home to Wolverhampton in the first round, in October, and kept the visitors under pressure with frequent attempts at drop goals to force them to concede touchdowns. A try from Bellot and two from Piper (one converted by Richardson) plus a drop goal from the same player saw the Rovers home. The following Saturday, Rovers took on Edgbaston Crusaders in the second round. Again they were at home and in a close game the two teams were deadlocked, having forced only two touchdowns each. It was still level after 10 minutes of extra time and the game was drawn. The replay, at Bristol Road, Edgbaston, did not take place until March. This time Rovers came out on top, winning by 2 goals and a try to a try. The next round was the semi-final and Rovers were drawn away at Rushden, who had eliminated Stourbridge and Handsworth. According to the Courier, Rovers won easily, but the game was played on a hard pitch, which took a lot out of them. This was Rushden’s only defeat of the season and their local sources claimed that Leamington were “decidedly lucky”.

The final was played on 8 April at the Athletic Ground in Coventry, against Moseley. The Birmingham side were unbeaten and having walloped the Rovers easily in February were strong 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

continually offside and over-rough in their style of play. Leamington lined up as follows: A.S. Brown - MacCauley, Bullock, L. Richardson, H. Bellot – Pritchard, G. Gill – Harding, T. Winterton, C. Smith, W.H. Rawlinson, C. Standbridge, Leaver, and Green The number of local teams was continuing to grow. Southam played their first game on 26 November when they entertained Leamington Gas Works. The game was drawn in favour of the visitors. Southam played away to Leamington Volunteers at New Year and lost by 1 try and 2 touchdowns to nil. The Volunteers also beat Rugby in March. Leamington College (aka Collegiate School) were still active with a limited fixture list, which included Stratford College and Rovers. The school also played against Rovers as a Past and Present side. The Warwick club appears to have been formed this season and their fixtures also included Rovers. There seem to have been a significant crossover of players between the two clubs and when Warwick played a mid-week fixture against Queens College Birmingham, many of the Rovers’ regulars were in their team. They also played Trinity College Stratford and Kings Grammar School.

Leamington Rovers 1881-82

O1 Banbury H

O8 Edgbaston Crusaders H

O22 Wolverhampton W 2g2t 12td 2t 3td H MCC

O29 Edgbaston Crusaders D 2td 2td A MCC

N5 Stratford H

N12 Trinity College Oxford A

N26 Leicester L Nil 1g1t A

D3 Warwick H

D10 Dudley VFC&H A

D17 Moseley H

D26 Leicester H

J7 Banbury A

J14 Handsworth H

J21 Stratford A

J28 Edgbaston Rovers H

F4 Moseley L Nil 1g7t8td A

F11 Coventry L 1t4td 1g H

F18 Burton A

F25 Warwick W 1g3t5td Nil H

M4 Edgbaston Crusaders W 2g1t3td 1t2td A MCC

M14 Trinity College Oxford H

M21 Dudley VFC & H H

M25 Edgbaston Rovers A

A1 Rushden W A MCC

A8 Moseley L Nil 3g 3t 6td N MCC

The Midland Counties played a number of games. They made their first venture to London to play Surrey in November. In March they played Gloucestershire and included player(s) from Leamington. This was Lancashire’s first ever game.

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1882-83: Kettering conflict The first game of the new season was a repeat of the Cup final against Moseley. Played at Leam Terrace, the Birmingham side again ran out winners, but in a more competitive game, by 2 goals and a try to 2 touchdowns. Rovers were heavily criticised in the Courier for being over-individualistic in the backs and for being less than vigorous in the forwards. Moseley, on the other hand, were again criticised for over-robust play that was thought not to be within the spirit of the rules. In the next game there was a dispute over whether to allow Rugby a score, which ended in their skipper and two of his players leaving the field in protest, just before the end. The decision meant Rovers won and the Courier commented on the less than satisfactory arrangements between the referee and the other officials and captains. The first round of the Midlands Counties Cup was away at Kettering on 28 October. Nearly 1,000 people turned up to watch and they created an intimidating atmosphere, which caused further controversy. The Leamington backs dazzled throughout most of the game, scoring a try and forcing 6 touchdowns, but in a spell of pressure by the home forwards in the second half, Kettering 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 was then decided that the replay should be played on a neutral venue. Kettering must have objected to this and withdrawn as Leamington went through to the next round.

With Rovers having spare players available in October, several turned out for Warwick against Coventry St Michaels. Although Warwick was a new club, the Courier commented that a merger might be beneficial to ensure the area could turn out a strong side, especially when Rovers were depleted, due to representative call ups. The two teams played a few weeks later and Leamington scraped home on touchdowns. In what appears to have been the final game before Christmas, Rovers lost to Leamington College (Past and Present). For the away fixture against Moseley in January Rovers fielded a weakened side with most of the usual backs not travelling. It was another heavy defeat and their star player, Albert Smith, was outstanding. Back to back games were then lost 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.

A rearranged game at Warwick in March resulted in Rovers fielding a scratch side and, with some of their players not turning up, they went down by a goal and a try to two goals. There was an exchange between supporters in the letters column of the Courier in the following weeks, with both sides claiming the other was reluctant to take them on and would either cancel or play a weak team to avoid direct comparison. A further fixture was arranged for the end of the season but this was cancelled by mutual consent. This was Rovers’ worst season to date with 6 wins and 9 losses of the results recorded. New teams continued to appear this season: Leamington Swifts played and defeated the Robin Hoods and Coventry Grammar School. Southam were still going and Leamington College continued to play the other local schools The Midland Counties played two county matches in November, with Bullock and Miller playing against Lancashire and Gill, Miller, Rawlinson and Green against Oxford University. Miller was the only Leamington representative against Gloucestershire in February, but E Hopewell and Gill played against Surrey in March.

Leamington Rovers 1882-83

O7 Moseley L 2td 2g1t H

O14 Rugby W 3g 2g,1t H

O21 Banbury Rovers L A

O28 Kettering L 1t6td 1g1td A MCC

N4 Queens College, B’ham W 2g1t Nil H

N25 Warwick W 1t6td 1t H

D2 Edgbaston Crusaders A

D5 Past & Present L 1T 1g, 1t

J6 Edgbaston Rovers H

J13 Moseley L Nil 2g4t5td A

J20 Queens College W 1t1td Nil H

J27 Rugby L A

F3 Rugby L Nil 1g 1t H

F10 Burton L 8td 1t8td H MCC

F24 Edgbaston Crusaders W 1g4td 3td H

M3 Southam W H

M10 Warwick L 1g1t 2g A

M17 King Edward’s School H

M24 Coventry A

M31 Coventry St Michael’s H

A7 Coventry St Michael’s A

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The team photograph below was printed in the Courier on 31 December 1937 and is said to be from the 1882-83 season. Not all of the players were regulars but judging by the line-up it was probably taken early in the season, although it can’t be traced to a specific game - S. Ruddock, J. Randall, C. Standbridge, R. Bullock, Wayte(jnr), H.H. Bellot – W.J. Pratt (umpire) E. Ivens, Wayte (sen), G. Gill (captain), F. Harding, F. Proctor – F. Glover, W. Gascoyne, J. Hatwood, J. Mitchell Note the round ball – the shape and size of the ball varied depending on the pig’s bladder used and was not standardised until 1892. It is not known what the players’ caps signify. The article accompanying the photo gave some background of the players, including some of the original members, namely: Mr W.H. Pratt, who was a

cashier at Lloyds Bank, churchwarden of St Albans and sometimes acted as a referee; George Gill, was also a cashier of Lloyds Bank and he was an able half-back and club captain; Frank Glover was the Managing Director of the Courier; William Gascoyne – popularly known as “Bodger” – was a prominent local builder; his fellow veteran in the forwards, C. Standbridge (who died in 1896 aged 50) was a bookmaker with his brother Reuben, in Kenilworth Street. Of the others: J. Harding was a Cheltenham College man and H.H. Bellot and S Ruddoch (Ruddock) both attended Leamington College. Teddy Ivens, was a local baker; J Mitchell was a lawyer; the Wayte brothers ran the Corn Stores in New Street; and Tom Proctor was at the Bath Hotel. Club President A.E. Bullock (not included) was a doctor and R Bullock, presumably his brother, was a forceful three-quarter.

1883-84: Warwick merger After all the bickering with Warwick during the Spring, some diplomatic pressure must have been applied over the Summer, as a joint meeting of Leamington Rovers and Warwick was held at the Great Western Hotel on 13 September 1883 to consider the amalgamation of the two clubs. Frank Glover was in the Chair and it was advocated that whilst Warwick had its own club which included some good players, it was not strong enough to take on the best teams in the Midlands. Leamington also had good players, some of whom came from

elsewhere in the county and a broader description for the club would therefore be suitable. It was agreed that strength through unity should be the way forward and a merger was agreed. Coventry and Coventry St Michael’s also merged this summer. Dr A.E. Bullock was elected as President. George Gill was Captain and Treasurer with R. Bullock his Vice-captain. Frank Glover and A.M. Skinner became joint Secretaries. It was agreed to set playing subscriptions at 5/- per season, the same

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for non-players and half a guinea (10/6d) for honorary members. Broad stripes in magenta and chocolate were adopted as the colours for the club strip. It was hoped that with the merger there would be sufficient players to run a regular second team and fixtures were arranged. Games were to alternate between Leam Terrace East and the Warwick County Cricket Ground, but it seems that most were played in Leamington. The first week of the season was a trial match between the probables and the rest, to decide the opening line-up.

The first game for the new combined club was at home to Burton on 29 September. It was played in bad weather and three players failed to show up. The teams eventually evened out at 14-a-side and the game ended in a draw with both sides scoring a try and 3 touchdowns. The line-up was - Richardson – R. Bullock, L. Bullock, C. Ricketts – G. Gill, Dene – Aitcheson, Godson, Hunt, Wheildon, Jackson, Burridge, Gascoyne, Glover

The second game was lost at Rugby and the first success came at home (in Warwick) the following week, against Rushden, when a try to a disputed try settled the game. There was also a fixture planned against Leicester that day but they failed to turn up because they missed their train. The Rovers then drew Moseley in the Midland Counties Cup. The result followed the familiar pattern for this fixture with another heavy defeat. 1,500 people turned up at Leam Terrace to watch the game. They were disappointed by the Rovers’ performance, particularly from their backs, who were badly outplayed, but also with the poor sportsmanship of the home side, who challenged every score. There were plenty of these: 4 goals and 2 tries, against 1 try, secured the Birmingham side’s passage into the second round. They went on to beat Coventry in the final.

The first ever games against Warwick School (Past and Present) and Old Edwardians followed and both were won, Ricketts scoring 2 goals against Warwick. The return game against Rugby was drawn in favour of Rovers who shaded the “minors” in a game with no tries or goals. A disputed try, when playing with only 14 men, resulted in defeat at Kidderminster and there was the same outcome at Harborne when Rovers played two men short for the whole first half. Wins against Leamington College (12 a-side), Coventry and newly formed Warwick Excelsior followed, although with the exception of Coventry the opposition was not the best. Both sides claimed victory in the Coventry game, with a disputed try each, although Coventry also scored 6 touchdowns. R. Bullock scored Rovers’ disputed try and he also claimed 3 against Excelsior.

A game was played between bona fide residents of Leamington and Warwick on Boxing Day. It is reported that similar games had been held in 1880 and 1882, both of which were drawn. It is not clear whether these were Leamington Rovers versus

Warwick fixtures or not. On this occasion the Leamington men came out on top by 2 tries to nil with H. Bellot scoring both. The sides were: LEAMINGTON – Mitchell - Combe, J. Wilkins, H. Bellot, Barnside – G. Gill, Ivens – J. Randall, H. Wheildon, W. Gascoyne, C. Standbridge, Leach, Jenkins, C. Burridge WARWICK – James Walsgrave – R. Bullock, A. Bullock, Richardson – A. Gill, Shaw – Hunt, Parsons, Bowen, E. Gill, Hall, Haydon, Wright, Walker, John Walsgrave The new year brought a downturn in the fortunes of the new club with the only win recorded, against Harriers, in what was probably a second team fixture. The year began with a heavy defeat at Burton, an unlucky loss at home to Edgbaston Crusaders, who sneaked home thanks to a fluke try, and a narrow defeat to Redditch, with a weak side.

The highlight of the season was a prestige fixture against Middlesex Wanderers, a mid-week invitation side, on 20 February. The Courier bemoaned the state of sport in the town, with no town cricket club (although cricket was played) and tardy support for athletics, horse racing and hunting. The paper hoped that a good gate for this game would help raise the town’s profile. Admission was set at 6d and 3d with free admission for children and ladies. The take was a meagre £3. 8/- and with expenses amounting to £3, the profit shared between the two sides was 4/- (20p) each. The visitors’ rail fares from London exceeded £7, so they made a considerable loss. The game itself was played in good spirit and was won comfortably by the visitors. The season ended with cancellations against Coventry, because Rovers couldn’t field a side, and Kidderminster because of a smallpox outbreak there. Against Moseley, the Rovers again struggled to field a team and had to borrow 7 players from Leamington Crusaders, but lost by a lesser margin than usual. The final game was also lost, against Leicester at home. So, after all the early optimism, following the merger, the season tailed of badly, with Rovers finding it difficult to field 15 players, never mind a strong side. The new club seemed weaker that its two constituent clubs had been the year before. The overall record of known results is - won 7 drawn 2 and lost 11. Some second team games were played, against clubs such as Moseley, Edgbaston Crusaders, Alcester, Trinity College, KES Warwick and the Harriers game referred to above.

Elsewhere in the area, the Leamington Crusaders played regularly and won most of their games, defeating Emscote Rovers, Southam, Birmingham Swifts, Heathfield, Rugby Albion, Moseley Woodstock, Hillfield Rovers and Coventry St. Osbury’s . They even managed to beat Warwick Excelsior on the day they loaned Rovers seven players to play Moseley. Cubbington Crusaders and

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Leamington Victoria both played at least the odd game. There was no reference to The Volunteers.

South Warwickshire Rovers 1883-84

S29 Burton D 1t3td 1t 3td H

O6 Rugby L 6td 1g2t A

O13 Rushden W 1t 1dt W

O20 Moseley L 1g 4g2t H MCC

O27 KES Warwick (P&P) W 2g4td 1g2td A

N3 Old Edwardians W 3g1t6td Nil H

N10 Rugby D 4td 3td H

N17 Kidderminster L Nil 1dt A

N24 Leamington College (P&P) H

D1 Harborne L 1g1t 1g A

D12 Leamington College W 2g3t 1g1t A

D15 Coventry W 1dt 1dt6td H

D22 Warwick Excelsior W 1g4t Nil H

D26 Boxing day

D29 Leicester L 1g 1g1dg A

J5 Warwick Excelsiors H

J12 Burton L Nil 3g2t A

J19 Harriers W 2g2t1td Nil H

J26 Edgbaston Crusaders L Nil 1t H

F7 Trinity College Stratford A

F16 Redditch L 1t 1g1t H

F20 Middlesex Wanderers L 2t 2g3t H

F23 Allesley Park College H

M1 Coventry C A

M8 Moseley L Nil 1g1t

M15 Kidderminster C L

M22 Leicester L Nil 1dg1t H

1884-85: Final for Rovers As very little is recorded in the Courier for the new Rovers this season. It is therefore difficult summarise what happened, although it was certainly a season of contrasts. It seems that the Warwick club had reformed, suggesting that the merger had not been a success and the Rovers were left with liabilities of £30 to carry into the new season. 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

scoring system. Moseley defeated Coventry on the 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 and around 4,000 spectators turned up to watch what was predicted as likely to be a one-sided affair. This proved to be the case and although the Rovers’ forwards held their own in the tight, Moseley were much quicker in the loose and had the advantage in the backs. Four goals and a try to four touchdowns was the winning margin. The team for the final was - Bryan – Gwatkin, R. Bullock © Richardson, Ricketts – Gill, Ivens – Wheildon, Gascoyne, Standbridge, Southorn, Randall, Barnacle, Brough, AN Other. These are the only results recorded and whilst 4 wins and only 2 defeats (both to the top team in the Midlands) and a cup final appearance suggests it might have been a good year, the absence of results is not usually an indication of success. The re-formed Warwick club played at the Warwick County Cricket Ground and their reported results included a win and a loss against Moseley Woodstock and wins against the Volunteers, Alcester, Edgbaston Crusaders, Coventry Rangers and Banbury. Holy Trinity Church (Beauchamp Avenue) formed a side this season and played on the Lillington Road. After games against Warwick and Rovers’ second teams, they appear to have progressed in the second half of the season when 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.

South Warwickshire Rovers 1884-85

S27 Burton W 1t 3td 4td H

O25 Stoke W 2t 2td 1t H MCC

D20 Edgbaston Crusaders D 1td 2td H

D26 Warwick W 1t 2td 1dt A

F7 Moseley L Nil 7g 2t A

F28 Oriel College, Oxon W 1g 2td Nil

M14 Kidderminster W 14 5 A MCC

M28 Moseley L 4 46 N MCC

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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.

There is no more on how this came about, but readers will recall that H.C. King had written to the paper about the non-payment of subscriptions as early as 1878 and it was reported in 1884-85 that the club had outstanding liabilites of £30. It seems that this debt became too much to sustain. There are reports that William Gascoyne, one of the founder members and stalwarts of the club became bankrupt at the the beginning of 1885, owing a large sum. It is pure speculation, but local economic conditions were difficult at this time and perhaps the persons the club could have expected to turn to for help were no longer willing or able to do so. It is possible that the club struggled on and played the occaisional game up until Christmas as it is reported that they came back together in March after only “three months in abeyance” to play in the Midland Counties Cup against Warwick. The game was described as being very fast throughout and was won by Warwick with the only try of the match.

South Warwickshire Rovers 1885-86

D5 Northampton Unity A

F28 St John’s D H

M6 Warwick L 3td 1t1td H MCC

M13 Northampton Unity H

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

Warwick’s reward for beating the Rovers was to draw Moseley in the second round of the Midlands Counties Cup and they acquitted themselves very well, restricting the Brummies to only one try. The team was - Busby – Walker, Sidwell, James Walsgrove, John Walsgrove – H. Parsons, Hill – G. Parsons© Gurney, Butler, Hewitt, Hunt, Hall, Pinfold. Referee - Gill They played Moseley again the following week with similar line-ups and this time they lost more heavily, by 4 goals and a try to 2 touches. The results available for Warwick show that they had returned to their former strength and were now the top team in the area. The other local derby was the Boxing Day game between the de-facto residents of Leamington and Warwick. Played in Warwick, this was drawn with both sides scoring a try.

Nothing more is heard of the Holy Trinity side which had prospered so well the previous season. However The Buffs, who had first played in 1880-81, completed their first season. Their success was celebrated at a supper evening in dining hall of Emscote Mills (by kind permission of Messrs George Nelson, Dale and Co) with 40-45 members sitting down to dine.

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1886-87: St John’s O.P.Q. was still lamenting the loss of the Rovers in his Courier jottings at the start of the 1886-87 season. There was no sign of the club reappearing, although Richardson and Thomas are reported to have played for the Midland Counties against Marlborough Nomads in December, as South Warwickshire Rovers representatives. Leamington

The general meeting of St John’s took place prior to the season commencing and the Rev W.G. Wise was elected as President, with Mr J. Stanley as Treasurer and Mr H.R. Bird as Secretary. Two former Rovers players led the side, with Arthur Dawkes as captain and H Southorn as his deputy. The team showed signs of improvement as they defeated a Coventry side, Dudley Victoria and 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. Morris, Parsons, R. Southorn H. Wheildon, W. White There were severe snowstorms on Boxing Day and in early January, causing cancellations, so when St John’s took on Warwick on 22

nd January, a large

and expectant crowd came out to see them play. The sides had previously won one game each in their previous two meetings and local bragging rights were at stake. Busby scored a try for Warwick and H. Humphriss got one back for St Johns, to achieve an honourable draw. St John’s later played Coventry Albion in round 1 of the Coventry Junior Challenge Cup and lost narrowly by one try. They also entered the Midland Counties Cup under the name of South Warwickshire Rovers and were completely overpowered by Rugby, who scored 5 goals and 7 tries. Rugby went on to reach the final.

Warwick appear to have been playing at a good level and they recorded wins over Stratford (twice), West Bromwich and Worcester, the latter in the first round of the Midland Counties Cup. In the second round they played Coventry. Despite a snowstorm in March, over 1,000 turned up to the game and saw Coventry win comfortably, by 2 goals and 4 tries. Other teams playing this season included the Buffs, who beat Banbury Rovers in November; and

Napton Rovers, who played Daventry in April. The Parish Church fielded a side and their one recorded result was a win over Allesley Park College at Leam Terrace. Their team was – W. Ledbrook, C. Middleton, J. Wilkins, W. Newman – J.B. Buncher, F. Makepeace – W. Payne, G. Elson, J. Goodacre © W. Roberts, J. Clare, Corwell, H. Kimberley, A.M. Lloyd 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

N6 Stratford W 1t 1td A

N13 Banbury H

D11 Rugby D H

J22 Warwick D 1t 1t

J29 Coventry Albion L 1td 1t CDJC

F19 Rugby W 2g 2t 3td nil A

M5 Rugby* L Nil 5g7t+m MCC

*played as SW Rovers

1887-88 Arthur Dawkes and P. Southorn were re-elected as captain and vice-captain of St John’s. Their season began with two early wins over Southam, before facing local rivals Warwick on 10 December. It was reported as a very rough game with a lot of spectator trouble. St John’s managed to come out on top with a goal and a try to a goal. They lined up as follows – H. Dawkes – A. Dawkes, H. Timins, F. Fessey, W. Ballard – H. Horley, W. Astill – H. Watson, J. Morris, H. Knight, B. Wright, W. White, P. Southorn © H .Humphriss, W. Bird The annual Boxing Day game between the bona-fide residents of the two towns was played in front of a boisterous crowd. It was a controversial match, with Parsons and John Kilder scoring tries for Warwick before the break and Leamington coming back strongly in the second period, but unable to break through. The game ended early due to crowd encroachment onto the pitch and it was discovered that Warwick had fielded 16 men for part of the game. It was therefore declared a draw. The teams were – WARWICK – H. Perkins – J. Walter, T. Sidwell, T. Busby, L. Bostock - T. Hill, W. Watts © - F. Buller, H. Hunt, J. Kilder, John Kilder, J. Thompson, H. Parsons, T. xxx, J .Walsgrove

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LEAMINGTON – H. Horley – W. Ballard, A. Dawkes, F. Fessey, H. Smith, W. Astill, E. Ivens – W. White, H. Watson, Batchelor, R. Rayner, T. Ledbrooke, J. Harrison, R. Bird, H. Southorn © Later in the season there was a loss and draw against Stratford and two wins over Moseley Harlequins, the second game being in the first round of the Midland Counties Cup when St John’s again played as South Warwickshire Rovers. In the second round of the Cup they drew Dudley at home and in a keenly contested game in front of a large number of spectators, a single try was decisive in favour of the visitors. The Parish Church again fielded a team this season and after Christmas they beat Long Itchington, and Banbury Rovers and lost to Stratford Athletic Club. They also played St John’s second team which fielded a number of first team “ringers” and although St John’s won, Arthur Dawkes, the referee, declared the game a draw as he felt the Parish side were “off their guard when the only try was scored”. They played St John’s first team later in the season and went down narrowly. St Paul’s also had a side and Warwick St. Nicholas played Whitnash. Meanwhile, Leamington College were playing Association rules.

Leamington St John’s 1887-88

O8 Southam W 4t Nil H

O22 Southam W 1g 2t 1disp t A

O29 Coventry H

D10 Warwick W 1g 1t 1g H

D17 Stratford L Nil 2g 2t A

J28 Banbury Rovers C H

F4 Moseley Harlequins W 1g2t Nil H

M3 Moseley Harlequins* W 1t +5m 2m A MCC

M10 Dudley* L 1m 1t 3m H MCC

M17 Parish Church W 1g 5m 1t 1m A

M24 Stratford D 1g 1t 4m 1g 1t 3m H

*Played as SW Rovers

Only three of Warwick’s results have been found. Apart from the defeat to St John’s in December, they beat Handsworth in October and lost to Moseley’s second team in January. In March, Warwick Avon Rovers played Coventry Godiva Rovers in the Coventry and District Junior Cup. The Coventry side won a close game by 1 try and 2 minors to 7 minors.

1888-89

St Johns had an outstanding season. Subject to any missing results they won all their games before Christmas except for a match at Avon Rovers which was abandoned due to “disputations and quarrelling” with the umpires and a game against

Vale of Evesham, the Worcestershire Cup holders, which was declared a draw due to bad light, with St John’s leading. The line-up in the opening game against Rugby Rovers was - F. Fessey – H. Smith A. Dawkes, W. Ballard, W. Varney – H. Horley, H. Dawkes – W. White, R. Atkins, A. Price, W. Watson, W. Kerr, W. Durham, Knight, Kenning

A rather belated general meeting of the club was held on 19

th November at the Westminster Coffee

Tavern to elect officers for the season. Arthur Dawkes was again chosen as first team captain with Henry Horley his deputy. Robert Atkins was elected as second team captain with Alec Cash as his deputy. Frank Fessey was elected as club secretary. Games were played at Tachbrook Road The winning streak continued after Christmas and culminated with victory over Warwick, in round one of the Midland Counties Cup, reversing the result of 1886. Reports describe them as being either Leamington or South Warwickshire Rovers, but it was clearly the St John’s side. They dominated the first half into the wind and led through “minors” and were expecting to win comfortably with the conditions in their favour in the second half. However a try by Busby gave Warwick a surprise 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 passing to Gibbs for him to run in for a second try. This prompted a pitch invasion and then constant encroachment over the goal-line, preventing Warwick the opportunity to equalise in the final minutes. The reward, for knocking out Warwick was to play Moseley at home in the next round and as usual the Leamingtonians were heavily beaten with Moseley totting up 5 goals and 4 tries as they swamped the locals in the second half. Moseley went on to win the Cup, beating Leicester in the final and this appears to have ended St John’s season with 12 wins and just the one known defeat.

Leamington St John’s 1888-89

O20 Rugby Rovers W 1g 3t 13td Nil

O27 Tamworth W 4t 13td Itd A

N3 Handsworth W 3t 9td 2td H

N10 Avon Rovers A H

N24 Vale of Evesham D 2t 1t A

D1 Olton W 4g 4t 8td itd

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

F2 Southam W 1g 2t 4td 4td A

F16 P Gibbs XV W 6g 11td 1t H

M2 Warwick* W 2T 1T H MCC

M9 Moseley* L Nil 5G 4T MCC

*Played as SW Rovers

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16

St John’s again fielded a regular second team and they played Godiva Rovers, Warwick St Paul’s, Coventry Harlequins, Southam, Coventry Juniors and Coventry Rangers, winning or drawing most of their games. They also played two new local sides – Emscote White Stars and Hillside Rovers, who appear to have been based in Lillington. 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.

1889-90:Rovers’ revived

Four years on from the demise of the Rovers, there was the revival of a Leamington town club. A first meeting was held in the Westminster Coffee Tavern on 29

th July, when it was agreed that a new club

should be formed and that a deputation should seek out “a corps of honorary members” to support the club. A second meeting took place on 9

th August in

one of the ante-rooms at the Town Hall. This was well attended and the following officers were elected - Mr J. Hincks (President), Mr Raynor (Secretary) Mr P. Southorn (Treasurer) and Messrs P Gibbs, Fessey, Edelman, R Bird, Rowlands, Buncher, Mann, Watson and Boulter (committee members). Arthur Dawkes was elected as captain with G Hincks his deputy. Kerr was appointed as captain of the second team with H. Dawkes his deputy. The new club was to be known as Leamington Town Football Club and would play its games on the Tachbrook Road ground. It was decided that the club should affiliate to the Rugby Union Association and take part in the Midlands Counties Cup. It would seem, given the names of the persons elected to serve on the committee, including Arthur Dawkes as captain, that the new club was built on the outstanding success of Leamington St John’s the previous year and that a town club was seen as the way forward in re-establishing Leamington as a force in the game. OPQ commented on the formation of the club in his jottings column and welcomed the development but warned about

avoiding the internal disputes which had led to the demise of the Rovers. He commented that it had come to his attention that already the proposed club “has caused disgust, by slighting some of the best known friends to football in the town” and that this was an unhealthy way of “promoting manly English games”.

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 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 team collapsed in the second half. The second game was away at Birmingham’s second club, Edgbaston Crusaders, and these other old opponents were an easier challenge and were beaten by 2 goals and a try to a goal. The third game was due to be against Nuneaton St Marys but was played against Warwick instead. In what was reported as a bad tempered match the Warwick side edged home with a goal and a try, to a try. Wins against Queens College and Wolverhampton followed and after this the club played its first home game, on 2 November, against the Old Crocks, an invitation side of former Rovers players, with a sprinkling of Warwick men. A close game was drawn in favour of the town side who added 4 touchdowns to a try apiece. The line-ups were - LEAMINGTON – Passman – A. Dawkes © Franklin, Whitby, H. Dawkes, - Horley, Rowlands – Buller, Kerr, Burton, George, Watson, Edelmann, Jeffrey, Hincks OLD CROCKS - Fessey – Sidwell, Barnacle, Walker – Ivens, Gill © - W. Gascoyne, Standbridge, Hunt, J. Gascoyne, Mundy, Burridge, Lyne, Wheildon, White

Lincoln College, Oxford were defeated in the next game and the season continued well throughout the winter. Games were won and lost against Handsworth and Stourbridge after Christmas and a 3,000 crowd turned out to see the away game against Leicester, which was lost by 3 tries to nil. Nottingham were beaten in the first round of the Midland Counties Cup at the beginning of March and in the second round, the following week Stourbridge were the opponents. Having already

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had two close games earlier on, the same was expected this time and so it proved, with Stourbridge sneaking home for what was described as a fluky win, with the only try of the game awarded when one of the Leamington players was obstructed. The line-up against Stourbridge was - Passman- Gibbs, A. Dawkes ©, H. Dawkes, Fessey – Horley, Hutchins – Edelmann, White, Canning, Kerr, Watson, Powell, Jeffries, Wheildon

Leamington Town 1889-90

S28 Moseley L Nil 7g 6t A

O5 Edgbaston Crusaders W 2g 1t 1g A

O12 Warwick L It 1g 1t A

O19 Wolverhampton W 1g1t+m 1t A

O26 Queens College B’ham W 1t 5m 1m A

N2 Old Crocks D 1t 4m 1t H

N9 Lincoln College Oxon W 2t 1t H

N16 Dunchurch W 3t4m 1g3m H

N23 Stourbridge A

N30 Wolverhampton H

D7 Leicester Crusaders A

D14 Leicester Crusaders H

D21 Stourbridge L Nil 1g+m H

D26 Coventry Juniors W 1g 4t 1g 1t H

D28 Handsworth L Nil 3g2t A

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

M29 Edgbaston Crusaders W 1g2t 1g H

The above fixture list is complete, but not all of the results are recorded. Of those that are known, there were 12 wins against 7 losses, with 1 draw. Although this had been a fairly successful first season on the field, all did not appear to be well off it. The Courier’s columns referred to a succession of poor attendances which meant the club was finding it hard to cover its costs. These were noted in the newspaper on 22

nd February, when it was

detailed that players’ subscriptions amounted to £11.15/-; honorary members’ subscriptions were £13.13/-; and with gate receipts of £20.17/9d, plus others, total receipts were £52.10/-. Against this, total expenditure was £49.19/8d, leaving a balance of only £3. 11/7d. With £14 owing on the rent of the pitch and two away trips by train coming up (to Nottingham and Leicester) and likely to cost around £8-9 the club was in difficulties and put out a plea for some generous people to come forward and help it through its first season by their “liberal subscriptions”. This provoked some response in the letters column questioning whether it was justifiable to pass round the hat in the town because the club couldn’t meet its commitments through its own efforts.

Leamington Albions were another new club in the town this season. They played at Lillington or at Tachbrook Road and established themselves as Leamington’s second side. They entered the Coventry & District Junior Challenge Cup and after defeating Coventry Lord Street in a replay, met Coventry Godiva Rovers in the semi-final, which they lost. Their known results are given below. 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 Edgbaston Crusaders in the Midlands Counties Cup on 1 March. Avon Rovers was another club in action in Warwick.

Leamington Albions 1889-90

O12 Coventry Lord St W 2t nil H

O19 Coventry Excelsior W 1g nil H

O26 Coventry Premier D A

N9 Avon Rovers W 2t nil A

N30 Coventry St John’s D CDJC

D21 Coventry Lord St D 2m 2m H CDJC

J18 Coventry Lord St W 2t 1t CDJC

F8 Rugby Loco W 2t 9m 1m

F15 Coventry Lord St W 1g4t9m 2m

Godiva Rovers L CDJC

1890-91 – Town Club Expires 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 season the club was in trouble again, both on and off the field, A trial game (or “pick up” game, as it was described) was arranged for 20

th September and

the Courier was optimistic about the club’s likely playing strength. The opening game was against Rugby, for which the result is not available, but the following week they lost heavily by 6 goals and a try at Bromsgrove. The only other results available before Christmas are losses to Handsworth and Coventry 2

nd. At least two reserve games were

played early season so players must have been available in good numbers. There was severe weather from late November until the end of January and no scores are available for this period. The next result was against Stratford Crusaders on 14

th February which resulted in a win.

Thereafter, three games were played against Warwick , all of which were lost and in the Midland Counties Cup they went out to Handsworth at the first hurdle. Nimrod, the Coventry Evening Telegraph columnist commented that “ Leamington ought to have made a better show…and there seems to be small hope of the Royal Borough

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18

taking any prominent part in rugby football for some time to come”. On 30

th May the Courier reported that Messrs A.

Dawkes and P.G. Southorn (the honorary secretaries of the Leamington Club) had issued a report and balance sheet for 1890/91 and had expressed regrets that, owing to circumstances, it had been a most unfortunate season. With 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. goals and boundary wires and posts). There still remained owing the sum of £11, for rent of the ground for 1889/90, for which repeated applications had been made and the position of the club had 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 appeal fell on deaf ears and that having sold the family silver and still being in debt, the club folded after only two seasons.

Leamington Town 1890-91

S27 Rugby H

O4 Bromsgrove L Nil 6g 1t A

O25 Coventry Reserve L 2t 2g 1t H

N15 Handsworth L Nil 2g 4t H

N22 Coventry 2nd L 1t 2g 1t H

F14 Stratford Crusaders W 1dg1t Nil H

F21 Warwick L Nil 1g1t H

F28 Warwick L Nil 2g 5m A

M7 Handsworth L Nil 4g1t H MCC

M28 Moseley L Ig 2t 2g

M30 Warwick L IM 4t 1m

Albion Rovers fared better. In their second season, they went one better than the previous season in reaching the final of the Coventry & District Junior Cup. Their progress was not without incident however, as they were well beaten by Coventry Excelsior in the first round, only to be reinstated as a result of the Coventry club being expelled from the RFU for the rest of the season for poaching players and encouraging professionalism by members’ offering jobs to players. Having disposed of Coventry St John’s in the next round, with Tims their star man, they then gained revenge over Coventry Godiva ( the holders) for their semi-final loss the previous season. W Tims scored all the points with 4 tries, one of which he converted himself. In the final they met Nuneaton St Mary’s and after a close first half the Nuneaton side won comfortably with 5 tries to a goal. The line-up for the final is not available but against Coventry St John’s in November it was - Batchelor – Tims, Ledbrooke, Robbins, Wise – W. Bull E. Bull – Harris, Haynes, Wright, Hudson, Mason, Bugg, Batty, Truman

Leamington Albions 1890-91

O4 Leicester Nelson W 4t Nil H

O25 Cov. Lord St D It 1t H

N22 Cov. St John’s D H

Cov. Excelsior L CDJC

J31 Cov. Rudge L Nil 1g A

F28 Cov. St Johns W 1g Nil A` CDJC

M7 Cov. Godiva W 1dg3t 2t H CDJC

A18 Nuneaton St Mary’s L Ig 5t N CDJC

The points scoring system was amended in 1890-91, to give 5 points for a goal (from a try), 2 for a try, 3 for a penalty and 4 for a drop kick or goal from a mark. Increasingly results were shown as a points total instead of the detailed scoring

1891-92: Albions’ fly Flag This was the season when Association football began to make an impact in the town for the first time, although some teams were reported as playing the previous season. A town club was formed, known as Leamington Association Football Club and they commenced their fixtures against Queen’s College Birmingham on 3 October, winning 2-0. They played their games at the Tachbrook Road ground and were based at the Avenue Hotel. The Parish Church and Budbrook Barracks fielded association teams of a similar standard and such was the growing popularity of the game that lots of other teams were playing locally from this season onwards, including some of the local schools.

With Leamington Town Rugby Club going to the 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 town club. Leamington was now on the Coventry and District junior circuit, rather the first class Midlands circuit as in the past. The annual meeting of the club was held in their club room at the Warwick Arms, Regent Street, on Tuesday 1

st

September. Mr J. Haynes (past captain) presided. The following officers were elected – F. Godfrey as captain with Cromer as his deputy. The Hon. Secretary was F. Hudson (of Chandos Street) and the Committee comprised Messrs Mann, L. de Cani, J. Cooper, J. Clarke and A. Cromer. The Albions scored 60 points over the season and conceded the same number, many of these at the start of the season when they were struggling to field their best side. Two or three results appear to be missing but of those known they won 7, drew 2 and lost 5. They opened with a 15-0 defeat against Warwick and lost to them again a few weeks later by a solitary try. In the other local derbies they defeated Avon Rovers and drew with Southam. They appear to have been somewhat nomadic in that several home venues are referred to including, Lillington Road, the Old Cricket Field on Adelaide

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Road and the Junior College ground. The last of these was used for the second round tie in the Coventry and District Junior Cup, when they entertained Coventry Lord Street. The game was lost by a try to a penalty goal in a game in which they were said to be “chiselled [cheated] rather than beaten” and the referee was castigated for his bias against the home side. Little other rugby was reported. Warwick drew with Stratford in November but lost easily to Old Edwardians in round 2 of the Midland Counties Cup in March, despite the Birmingham club fielding a weakened side. Warwick Excelsior and Avon Rovers were also active and Leamington St Mary’s played Kenilworth Albion twice in January, both sides winning once. This is the first reference found for a Kenilworth team.

Leamington Albions 1891-92

O3 Warwick L 2m 3g 2m A

O17 Cov. Juniors W 3t 1m H

O24 Cov. Rudge D Nil Nil A

O31 Warwick L Nil 1t A

N7 Rugby Loco L 1m 1dg A

N14 Avon Rovers W 2t 1t H

N28 Cov. Lord St W 1 g 1p A

D5 St Paul’s W 1g Nil A

J23 Southam D 2t 5m 1g 1m H

J30 Nuneaton St Mary’s L Nil 3t A

F6 Cov. Excelsior W Ig 1t A

F13 Cov. Lord St L 4 7 H CDJC

M26 Cov. St Thomas W 1 g 1t 1m Nil H

A9 St Mary’s W 2g 3t 1t H

The Albions’ annual dinner took place on 29

th April

at the Warwick Arms on Regent Street. Councillor Norris presided and among those present were Messrs. Duckett, J.T. Hobbs, Scurr (snr) Godfrey, Harris, G. Timms, J. deCani, Bartlett, Bradford, Clulee, J. Tims, Robins, Bull, H. Dawkes and others. It was reported that during the past year the club had increased its membership (presumably due to an influx form the defunct town side) and receipts had been £10.19/10d, including; £3.8/- from honorary members’ subscriptions; £2.7/- from players’ subscriptions; £4.14/4d gate money; and a half-guinea donation. There was a balance of £3. 7/10d.

1892-93: Albions win Cup The annual meeting of the Albions was held on 26 July, prior to its fourth season. It was held at the Warwick Arms. Councillor Norris, the club President, was in charge and J. Tims was elected captain, with G.H. Tims his deputy. The committee comprised Messrs J Clarke, F. Gomer, P. Robbins, W. Mills, J. Copper. J. deCani and F. Bartlett were re-elected as Hon Secretary and Treasurer respectively. At a special meeting on 23 August it was agreed that the club should attempt to use the Tachbrook Road ground near to the Windmill Inn for the coming season but this did not appear to

happen. They began the season on the Old Cricket Field, Adelaide Road and later played on Avenue Road. Their failure to secure the Tachbrook Road ground was probably due to the association football team, now known as Leamington Town FC, taking it over. The season began for the Albions with a game against Stratford Crusaders. 300 people attended, with the gate takings going towards the Warneford Hospital appeal fund. The Albions went down narrowly by 2 tries to a goal and a try and in their next game drew with their closest local rivals, Leamington St Mary’s. After that the team got into its stride and lost only one more game during the season - to a disputed try against Stratford. 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 away at Southam in the semi-final. Southam had eliminated Leamington St Mary’s in the previous round. Although the Leamington side were strong favourites, it was Southam who dominated the first half. Albions began to exert more control in the second period but the game went into extra time with no score on the board. The game was decided when Albions’ captain, J. Tims sprinted down left wing to touch down between the posts. The final was played against Coventry St Thomas’, from Earlsdon, at The Butts cricket ground, on 15

th April

and two first half tries settled the game in favour of the Albions, in what was described as one of “ the finest games witnessed in the three-spired city for many years”. The line-up for the final is not known but the following were selected for their previous match - F. Gomer - H. Dawkes, J. Tims, A. Wiltshire, A. Wise – W. Bull, W. Pignutt – G.H. Tims, W. Batty, W. Batchelor, Cashmore, A. Wright, C. Dean, Friend C. Clarke At its annual dinner on 3

rd May, the club celebrated

its cup success and its general progress. The playing record for the season was 13 wins, 3 draws and only 2 defeats, with a points’ difference of 81-22. It was hoped that the club could move forward from this level. The Courier made the suggestion that the Albions might try to enlist the services of Clapin, the Rev. A. Gray and E.M. Jones, all of 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 preference to outsiders and if their services could be obtained, the Midland Counties Cup ought to be within their grasp. Things were not looking that good for the rugby code in the area generally however. Leamington St. Mary’s who had been competitive at the start of the season had “fallen to pieces” and the other clubs in the town were thought unlikely to continue. Despite the Albions’ success, this can be regarded as the season when Association football became the dominant code in the area, as was happening

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throughout the country. New clubs were forming very rapidly and some such as Leamington Parish Church converted from Rugby to Association rules. Leamington Town FC, in its first season, won the inaugural Midland Daily Telegraph Cup, beating Rudge United from Coventry in the final. In the quarter-final, played in Leamington, they attracted a massive 3,000 crowd to see them defeat Singer Reserves, a level of support the rugby code could not compete with.

Leamington Albions 1892-93

S24 Stratford Crusaders L 2t 1g 1t H

O1 Leamington St Mary’s D 1 1t H

O8 Banbury Rovers W 3t Nil H

O15 Alcester W 1t 0 A

O22 Coventry Rudge W 2t 1t A

O29 Warwick Town W 1dg 2t Nil H

N5 Cov. St Thomas W 1p Nil A

N19 Stratford Athletic W 6t Nil H

D3 Banbury Rovers W 1t Nil A

D17 Stratford Crusaders W 1t Nil A

D24 Lord Street H

J28 Coventry Rudge D Nil Nil H

F4 St Marys W 5t Nil A

F11 Rugby H

F25 Stratford Crusaders W 2g nil A CDJC

M4 Stratford L Nil 1 dt H

M11 Southam W 1g Nil A CDJC

M18 Rugby Loco H

A15 Cov. St Thomas W 2t Nil N CDJC

1893-94: Albions keep Cup The Albions had a new captain in P. Robbins and they played their home games at Leam Terrace East. The season began with a local derby against Leamington St Mary’s which was won easily by 2 goals and 3 tries to nil and up to Christmas, 5 games were won and 3 lost, with 1 draw. The reward for winning the Junior Cup was a Boxing Day fixture against a Coventry & District Select XV. The report of the game suggests that most of the play was confined within the Albions’ 25 yard line, 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)

In their defence of the Cup: after a first round bye, Nuneaton 2

nd XV were defeated and the Albions

were then drawn away at Warwick Ancient Foresters, in what proved to be a controversial tie. The game was lost by 5 points to 0, but the Albions appealed against the inclusion of five of the Foresters’ players, who had appeared for Warwick Town in the Midland Counties Cup the previous year, which made them ineligible. The appeal was 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 biggest local rivals. The match was played at The Butts in Coventry on 14 April and it was a stalemate, with neither side able to trouble the scorer in normal or in extra time. It was therefore replayed the following week and again there was no score after 80 minutes. 20 minutes of extra time was played and although there were chances for both sides it looked like being another stalemate, until Gomer ran on to a pass from Dawkes and scored the winning try with three minutes to go. The Cup was therefore retained. The winning team was - F Bull – Astill, Dawkes, Gomer, Walters – Bull, Hutchings – Robbins, Tims, Wright, Dean, Cashmore, Hawley, Ledbrooke, Barnett (Pignutt, Batchelor and Friend played in the first final) The other feature of the second half of the season was the playing of a number of friendly games on Monday afternoons against quality visiting sides. The additional games were against Newport 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 what was a young side to gain experience and improve the status of the club. The extra games adversely affected the overall results, but of those recorded, 11 games were won, 9 lost and 3 drawn. Nothing was heard of St Mary’s after the early part of the season but within the district the Warwick Town club, Avon Rovers and the Foresters were all operating along with Kenilworth Albion and the village sides such as Southam and the two Itchington’s. The Albions were the only club of note in Leamington.

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Leamington Albions 1893-94

S30 Leam St Mary’s W 2g 3t Nil H

O7 Moseley Reserves L 0 6 H

O14 Banbury Rovers W 4g 2t Nil A

O21 Chipping Norton Institute W 1g 1t Nil H

N4 Coventry St Thomas A

N11 Coventry Rudge W 1g 4t 2g A

N18 Rugby Loco A

N25 Moseley 2nd L Nil 3g 1t A

D2 Banbury Rovers H

D9 Rugby Loco H

D16 Stratford Athletic D 0 0 H

D23 Southam L Nil 1g A

D26 Coventry & District W 1t 0 H

D30 Nuneaton Crusaders A H

J6 Stratford Crusaders A

J13 Rugby Loco D 1g 1g H

J27 Coventry Rudge L Nil 2g 1t H

J29 Newport Reserves L 1g 1g1t H

F3 Southam W 1g1t Nil H

F10 Coventry Albion W 2g2t 1g A

F17 Stratford Athletic A

F23 Nuneaton 2nd W 1t Nil A CDJC

F26 Abergavenny L 1g 3g

M3 Moseley Reserves L Nil 2g1t

M10 Warwick Ancient Foresters L 0 5 A CDJC

M17 Warwick Ancient Foresters H

M23 Warwick Ancient Foresters W 1t Nil A CDJC

M26 Pendleton L Nil 2g4t H

M31 Rugby Loco W 1t Nil H CDJC

A14 Southam D Nil Nil N CDJC

A21 Southam W 1t Nil N CDJC

1894-95: New LRFC The Albions suffered a dip in form this season. An even record was achieved, but the opposition was not always the strongest and included the second teams of Stratford and Rugby and the Coventry third team. Against Coventry Hertford’s they were four men short and at Warwick Ancient Foresters they turned up with a weak team and the sides had to be mixed together to ensure a good game. The results are not all recorded after Christmas and some games were frozen off, but of those that are known 8 were won and 7 lost with 4 draws. They reached the third round of the Coventry and Junior Cup before going out to Bedworth by 1 try to nil, in extra time. Their early season line-up against Nuneaton was - Harris - Astill, Wise, Robbins © Tims – Hawley, Taber – Wright, Barnett, Benning, Hayes, Compton, Cotterill, Grey The Coventry and District Junior Association introduced a new league format this season which included a Leamington division. The Albions did not enter, but Southam, Kenilworth Albions, Warwick Ancient Foresters, Warwick Avon Rovers, Long Itchington and Bishops Itchington all did and

Southam finished on top, winning all of their games. Southam were probably the best junior side in the area this season, gaining revenge over the Albions for their defeat in the Junior Cup final the season before and reaching the semi-final this time, before losing to Rugby Loco in a replay. Loco beat Warwick Avon Rovers in the final, after Rovers had put out Bedworth, the conquerors of the Albions.

Leamington Albions 1894-95

S22 Nuneaton L Nil 4g3t A

S29 Bishops Itchington W 1dg 1t H

O6 Coventry 3rd W 1t Nil H

O13 Rugby 2nd D Nil Nil A

O20 Stratford Crusaders D Nil Nil H

O27 Southam L Nil 2t A

N3 Camp Hill OE L 2t 1g1t H

N10 Stratford 2nd W 2g2t 1t A

N17 Avon Rovers D Nil Nil H

N24 Rugby Loco L 1p Nil A

D1 Coventry Hertford’s L It 1g 4t H

D8 Coventry Reserves A

D15 Warwick Ancient Foresters W 1g 1t A

D22 Rugby Town 2nd

J5 Coventry Rudge A

J12 Stratford 2nd

J19 Warwick Ancient Foresters D Ip 1t H

J26 Earlsdon W 3t Nil H

F2 Camp Hill OE H

F16 Southam H

F23 Long Itchington W 0 0 H

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 23

rd February the Courier reported a meeting of

the new Leamington Rugby Club at the Clarendon Hotel, two days earlier. It appears that there had been an inaugural meeting that was not reported. E.M. Jones (captain) presided and there was a good attendance. The club rules were passed and Mr Clarke (Hon. Sec.) reported a strong list of vice-presidents. The Earl of Warwick had been invited to become President and it was anticipated that he would accept. Fixtures had already been arranged for 1895-96 with Edgbaston Crusaders, Handsworth, Nuneaton, Stratford, Rugby and Bromsgrove promising dates. Coventry and Old Edwardians had offered fixtures against their reserves, but the club could not see its way to accepting this at the time. This was the second attempt to get Leamington back into the big time after the demise of the Rovers in 1885 and a taste of what the town had been missing was given on 6 April when Coventry played Moseley in the final of the Midlands Counties Cup on the Portobello Ground at Emscote, the home of Warwick United AFC. Moseley won by a drop goal and a try to nil

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1895-96: First season The annual general meeting of the new Leamington club was held at the Clarendon Hotel on 7

th

September 1895, with Mr A.C. Jones presiding. The Earl of Warwick was elected as President, with the Hon. Alfred Lyttelton MP, Mr F.A. Newdigate MP and Mr M.P. Lucas as Vice-Presidents. M.H. Clarke became Secretary and Mr Stevens, Treasurer. The following were elected to serve on the Committee – Messrs Astill, Wise, Brown, Gill, E. Gaussen, and V. Jepson. At a further meeting on 23 September, it was decided that the club should play in sage green jerseys with white collars, which it was thought would look “very pretty”. Home games were to be played on the Old Warwick Road. E.M. Jones was elected as captain. Although a local man he had played for the Coventry club and was named by the Courier as one of the players the Albions should try to attract, after their cup success in 1893. Another player on this wish-list was Sellick, who was elected a vice-captain, although he does not appear to have played. The Albions wound-up in favour of the town club. The opening game was against the formidable Edgbaston Crusaders and a with a lot of last minute changes it was feared that Leamington would be unable to make a fight of it, but expertly marshalled by E.M. Jones they went down only to an unlucky try in the last minute. Handsworth were beaten in the second game and there followed home and away fixtures against Leamington College and Warwick School. Warwick had the slight edge, drawing the first game and winning the second, but the College were very inexperienced and were beaten easily both times. The team for the first Warwick game was – T. Saul – F.H. Thelwell, J.T. Williams, Wise – A. Barnett, F. Pullen – H.M. Caunter, A. Duschense, R. Barnett, G. Tims, W. Batchelor, C. Dean, E.M. Jones, Harper. F.G. Rivington and A.E. Gaussen who were also Leamington players, turned out for the school. Wins were hard to come by through the autumn and into the second half of the season and although some draws were obtained, most games were lost and the only victories were against Stratford (in one of three derby games against them) and St John’s College, Oxford. In the Midland Counties Cup, Oadby were the first round opponents in mid-March 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, Barnett – Jones, T Jones, Rivington, Harper, R. Barnett, Forbes, Batchelor, Wright There may be a few games missing but most of the Leamington results are recorded and of these there

were 5 wins, 3 draws and 14 losses. It was a disappointing start. Southam had another good season finishing runners up in the Coventry & District Junior league, losing only to the winners: Bedworth. They had another good run in the Junior Cup, losing to Rugby Loco in a replayed semi-final. In August 1895, 22 clubs seceded from the RFU and formed the independent Northern Football Union, over the issue of amateurism and their wish to make “broken time” payments to their players for loss of earnings. This in time became the Rugby League and another different code of football. The effect on the RFU was catastrophic as its membership slumped from 481 clubs in 1893 to 242 in 1903. It took until 1925 to get back to the 1895 level of affiliation and the England international side suffered accordingly. Whether this affected Midlands clubs and Leamington in particular, is not clear.

Leamington RFC 1895-96

S28 Edgbaston Crusaders L Nil 1t A

O5 Handsworth W 2g 2t A

O12 Warwick School D 1t 1t A

O19 Leamington College W 8g3t Nil H

O26 Nuneaton L Nil 11t a

N2 Oxford

N9 Stratford L Nil 1g2t H

N16 Warwick School L 1t 1g1t

N23 Stoneygate L 1g 2t H

N30 Leamington College W 2g4t Nil A

D7 Handsworth D Nil Nil H

D14 Nuneaton D Nil Nil H

D21 Wolverhampton L 1t 1t1d H

D26 Bedford Wanderers L 1g 1p2t H

D28 Moseley A

J4 Mr Hall’s XV L 0 7 H

J11 Stratford W 1g1t Nil H

J18 Wolverhampton L Nil 3g2t A

F1 Coventry 2nd L 1g 2g A

F8 St John’s College, Oxon W 2t 1g H

F15 Edgbaston Crusaders L 1t 1g1t H

F22 Stratford L 1p 1g3t A

F29 Trinity College Stratford L 1g 3g1t A

M14 Oadby W 1g1t Nil A MCC

M21 Rugby L 3 21 H MCC

1896-97: All is lost The second season of the new club opened with the visit of Nuneaton at the end of September, and as a sign of things to come, Leamington, as the home side, could only turn out thirteen players and were hammered 43-3. Narrow defeats against Handsworth and Stoneygate suggested things

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might be stabilising, but after conceding eight tries in a 38-3 defeat at Rugby it was all downhill from there with a succession of big losses leading up to Christmas. Only two results are recoded for the second half of the season - a 14-0 loss to Stratford 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 at home. They were - Jones – Gaussen, Lamplough, P. Fell – H.P. Fell, Ryves – Field, Flood, Vernon, Barnett, Galloway, Clarke, Colley

The known results for the season were 11 games 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 honoured since the days of the Rovers, and O. Lloyd-Evans won a Blue for Cambridge University. Both are believed to be ex-Warwick schoolboys. No other sides in Leamington or Warwick are recorded as being in action this season. Southam continued to play regularly and strongly, beating Napton in the first round of the Coventry Junior Cup and going on to lift the trophy for the first time by defeating Coventry Albions 6-5 in the final, by two tries to one goal. The winning Southam team was (as selected) - Redgraves – J. Grant, Bicknell, Gaskins, A. Herbert – Evetts, Morbey – Baldwin, Hudson, Hughes, E. Grant (Captain) Umbers, Hancocks, Duckett and Cardell Leamington RFC 1896/97

S26 Nuneaton L 3 43 H

O3 Handsworth L Nil 2t A

O17 Stoneygate L Nil 2t A

O24 Rugby L 1t 7g1t A

N7 Stratford H

N14 Camp Hill OE L 0 20 H

N28 Wolverhampton L Nil 4g3t H

D5 Nuneaton A

D12 Coventry 2nd L 1t 1g4t H

D19 Rugby Star L Nil 1g2t H

J2 Stoneygate A

J16 Wolverhampton L H

J30 Handsworth H

F13 Stratford L 0 14 A

M6 Camp Hill OE L 3 23 H MCC

1897-98: End of the line The third season for the Leamington club started late, on 9

th October, with a visit to Handsworth. It is

reported that they played 4 players short, although their line-up (as below) features 12 men. Handsworth won by 3 goals and 4 tries to a goal – L. Evans – G. Fell, H. Lamplough, G.E. Gordon, J.H. Burnside - E. Wilmott, W.L. Ryves – Forbes, Legge, Archer, Wood, Johnson

The following week Stoneygate visited Old Warwick Road and won thanks to an early score. Gaussen and Lamplough excelled for the home side in a spirited performance. Bromsgrove were due to be the next opponents but the Worcestershire club was

dissolved and the match was cancelled. Although other fixtures were planned, there are no further results available and the club appears to have gone the same way as Bromsgrove, although nothing is known about whether it was formally wound-up.

Leamington RFC – 1897-98

O9 Handsworth L 1g 3g4t A

O16 Stoneygate L H

O23 Bromsgrove C

O30 KES Birmingham A

N20 Handsworth H

And so, a promising start by Leamington Rovers, in the earliest days of rugby football, which could have resulted in an on-going first class club, on a par with towns of a similar size, such as Nuneaton and Rugby (who both kept going) rugby football in Leamington sank without a trace in 1897 and as far as is known did not resurface until the modern Leamington Rugby Club was established in 1926. Nothing specific has been found to indicate what caused this to happen. Dodgy finances were probably significant in the case of the Leamington club, but this does not explain why the other clubs in the area disappeared. The split between rugby union and rugby league; schools no longer playing the game or providing a player feed; the economic downturn and a changing social profile of the town may all be contributing factors, but their significance is not clear. The local press was unable to offer an explanation. The Warwick Advertiser reported that “the game is as dead as a doornail in Leamington and Warwick District and nothing is yet heard of the resumption of operations of the Leamington club whose headquarters were on the Old Warwick Road last season”. The most likely explanation is that the Association code replaced rugby as the popular game for both players and spectators. Large crowds, with large income allowed the development of a professional or semi-professional game which would have made it more attractive than amateur rugby union to many potential players. The game appears to have continued in south Warwickshire with Stratford almost reaching first class standard and winning the Midlands Counties Cup in 1908. Southam continued to do well, playing mostly against Coventry and Rugby junior sides. They won the Coventry Junior Cup for a second time in 1900. Napton also had a good side and were their fierce rivals. Stockton and Bishops Itchington also continued to play. Southam appear to have gone into decline from around 1905, when an Association club was formed in the town, with the same impact as in Leamington. A game was played on Christmas Day in 1908 to try and revive interest in the game in the village, but it seems to have come to nothing. The RFU suspended fixtures on the outbreak of War in 1914.

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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.