Say goodbye to the old Lansdowne Road.| Loading |
Webb-Ellis Rugby Museum Re-opens The St Matthews Street museum in Rugby is famous for being the site of the first established rugby football workshop and the building with the longest continuous connection to the game in the world. The building is where William Gilbert began producing rugby footballs in 1842, beginning a tradition of rugby football manufacture on the site that is carried on by Webb Ellis Ltd. to this day. |
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Collections officer: Angie Irvine, Stitcher: John Bachelor and Martin Corry Wooden Spoon, a children’s charity dedicated to helping underprivileged children and |
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Established in the 1980s, the museum houses a rich collection of international rugby memorabilia and tells the story of the game, the ball and the building. Its prestige attracts fans of rugby from all over the world. The museum’s collection has been built up over the last hundred years. It is privately owned by Lawrence Webb of Webb Ellis Ltd but is currently on loan to Rugby Borough Council. I had visited the museum a number of years ago (you can see an older picture of the Museum's frontage here). The Museum is a goldmine for those of us fascinated by the history of our beloved sport and I remember spending hours reading every notice and being fasinated by every exhibit. However, I do recall thinking at the time that the collection was in need of a bit of TLC and that is exactly what it's received. After many years of faithful service the Museum was in need of some renovation and it's just re-opened after a major re-fit of the building decor and exhibition cases (app. 4 months work) which will ensure that the collection will remain preserved for many years to come. I visited the museum shortly before it was officially reopened by England International Martin Corry and was shown round by Angie Irvine, Collections officer for Rugby Art Gallery and Museum (including the famous Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum). What a difference! A lot of thought and care has been exercised in selecting and re-arranging the collection on display. Old favorites like the Gilbert Rugby ball, which was included in 'the great exhibition' of 1851, is still there and given pride of place but also a lot of new material has been added and it has all been arranged in themes which you can appreciate and enjoy as you pass through the museum. Councillor Neil Campbell, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for Culture, said: “This project is an excellent illustration of what the Council can do in partnership with people to benefit the town and Borough. I really would encourage all residents of Rugby and fans of the game to visit the museum.” I would fully concur, if you've been before, go back, you will not be disappointed. If you've never been then your in for a real treat. Visit the Museum (it's free), see Webb-Ellis' statue adjacent to the museum, Go and see Rugby School Close where it all started (by appointment) and enjoy a walk around a nice English town with plenty of good pubs and restaurants. A great day out for the Rugby enthusiast! |
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Rugby back in the Olympics! The global Rugby family are celebrating the announcement that Rugby Sevens will be included at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. In 1886 Pierre de Coubertin made a visit to Rugby School – the place where William Webb-Ellis was first inspired to pick up a ball and run. De Coubertin gained part of his inspiration from the school’s educational ethos – a philosophy reflected in the sport to which it gave its name. A sport with a unique spirit. That spirit still lives on in the sport of Rugby and in the International Olympic Committee: the body de Coubertin helped to establish in 1894. Six years later, de Coubertin personally oversaw Rugby’s introduction to the Paris Games of 1900. Under de Coubertin’s guidance the sport featured again in 1908, 1920 and 1924. Now its back! |
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Congratulations to Manchester RFC on 150 years! The 2009/10 season represents the 150th anniversary for Manchester Rugby Club (UK). There are a variety of sponsorship opportunities available, and they would be delighted to forward the portfolio to any interested parties that might seek to consider such as part of their marketing/PR tactics. Good value - and much commitment to give ROI. Simply email: sponsorship@acrobatonline.com
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Book Review
Paul Verdon's intent was to create a commemorative tribute to the 1959 Lions' tour & series, fifty years on.
It is obvious that immense care and thought has been exercised with the content and production of this book. When you consider the meticulous research, the extensive interviewing of the surviving players, the inclusion of their signatures, their profiles, the multitude of photographs, the detailed game by game match reports and the fine presentation of the material this is surely a labour of love with a value well beyond its price tag. |
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Preserving the past - Use it or Lose it ! Many rugby club houses around the world are decorated with old team photos from bygone days. If the negatives have long since been lost, why not take them down, scan them into your PC (with as higher definition setting as possible). Not only will you be able to make your web site more interesting by adding to your clubs history online, but you can then re-print new copies of the photos for the clubhouse should the originals get damaged or faded and you will be helping preserve the history of the great sport of Rugby. For advice on how to preserve documents and garments from the past, pop along to your local museum and they would be very glad to give you advice. |
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Wanted! Pre-1950 - "RFU Bye laws, Laws of the game" & "RFU Handbooks". Best prices paid. |
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Educational Enquiries I get hundreds of emails each year from students all over the world, whilst I make every attempt to answer all of them, please be patient. Also check the web site carefully as sometimes the answer you are looking for is already detailed on the site. |
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Old School Football Song (modified) "Forty years on, when afar and asunder |
Welcome
The aim of this web site is to record the history of Rugby Union Football and make it available online for educational purposes, The web site has been featured by the BBC, Rugby World, The Guardian, US Public Radio's Rugby Hour and a variety of other newspapers and publications. The web site is growing all the time so check back regularly and see what's been added. By all means, send in your thoughts, questions and suggestions for how we can continue to improve the web site.
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