Early History of Rugby in the Milton Keynes Area 1870 -1930
Having begun at the not so distant Rugby School, the sport’s national governing body was founded in 1871. The game, first called Football was later termed Rugby only after Association Football became firmly established. Teams had 20 men a-side up until 1876.
No early local records exist for Ladies Rugby although the women’s game dates back to 1881. So strong was the feeling against Women’s rugby, as well as women playing sport in general, that many games were played in secret. The first official New Zealand Ladies tour to England was, due to public outcry, cancelled in 1891.
Wolverton, Stony Stratford and Olney had become the centres for Rugby in the area in the mid 1880s, with towns turning out more than one team. Local villages located in the northern part of today’s Milton Keynes area also boasted teams, Stantonbury, Castlethorpe, Old Stratford, Deanshanger, Old Bradwell and Bradwell.
Clubs did not have permanent grounds but hired fields to play their games e.g. Mrs Battam’s, Mr Richards’, Mr Adams’ and the Rev J Wood’s fields in Wolverton, and St Paul’s College, the Old Town Ground and other farm fields in Stony Stratford.
Having begun at the not so distant Rugby School, the sport’s national governing body was founded in 1871. The game, first called Football was later termed Rugby only after Association Football became firmly established. Teams had 20 men a-side up until 1876.
No early local records exist for Ladies Rugby although the women’s game dates back to 1881. So strong was the feeling against Women’s rugby, as well as women playing sport in general, that many games were played in secret. The first official New Zealand Ladies tour to England was, due to public outcry, cancelled in 1891.
Wolverton, Stony Stratford and Olney had become the centres for Rugby in the area in the mid 1880s, with towns turning out more than one team. Local villages located in the northern part of today’s Milton Keynes area also boasted teams, Stantonbury, Castlethorpe, Old Stratford, Deanshanger, Old Bradwell and Bradwell.
Clubs did not have permanent grounds but hired fields to play their games e.g. Mrs Battam’s, Mr Richards’, Mr Adams’ and the Rev J Wood’s fields in Wolverton, and St Paul’s College, the Old Town Ground and other farm fields in Stony Stratford.
Wolverton (Rugby) Football Club
On Wednesday evening last, a meeting of the members of the above club took place at the Royal Engineer Inn....
Mr Mathias gave an account of the interview with that gentleman [Mr Richards] stating the club could have
the use of Mr Richards field on paying £7 per season.
The Bucks Standard 31.08.1889
On Wednesday evening last, a meeting of the members of the above club took place at the Royal Engineer Inn....
Mr Mathias gave an account of the interview with that gentleman [Mr Richards] stating the club could have
the use of Mr Richards field on paying £7 per season.
The Bucks Standard 31.08.1889
News cutting/Wolverton Park Opening 1885 CWS
Wolverton association football and rugby teams joined forces in 1889 to negotiate
the use of Wolverton Park with its owners, as the Park had previously only allowed
each Club to play four matches a season at the ground.
At Olney, games were played on farmland meadows and practices were sometimes held in Market Square [Olney Club History] using a pig’s bladder or hay-filled sprig bag (a small sack used to contain nails used in the boot and shoemaking industry) for a ball. Leather balls were originally not as ‘pill’ shaped as they are today and had inflatable inners and laces. After the founding of Olney Rugby Club in 1877, its teams soon began to play regularly at Cherry Orchard, a meadow along the banks of the River Ouse off Church Street, before moving to the Recreation Ground field in 1927.
Local clubs held their member and committee meetings and social gatherings at nearby pubs and hotels from the mid 1880s. The concept of a Rugby Clubhouse with a changing facility does not really emerge until the 20th century; the focus in the early years was on securing home grounds. The meetings, much as they do today, dealt with appointment of officials, finances, fixtures for the season, adopting codes of play and in some cases the team strips for example at a Wolverton members meeting held in August 1889:
“A discussion on the club colours then took place, and it was decided to alter them to white, with a red monogram.”
The Bucks Standard 31.08.1889
The Bucks Standard 31.08.1889
Olney RUFC’s accounts as late as the 1911/12 season, show expenditure for a Town Crier who announced the players, the venues for forthcoming matches and kept townspeople informed about results. Written invitations sent by letter and later by postcard to players asked men to turn out for their Club, with replies expected accordingly as to availability. During the game’s early years’ local clubs could regularly field up to two teams a week, dependent on the number of players mustered.
Significantly different to today was the game’s complex scoring system. The highest number of points, made up of rouges, touchdowns, tries, goals and minors, won the game. Match results also list any disputed goals, touchdowns and tries.
Significantly different to today was the game’s complex scoring system. The highest number of points, made up of rouges, touchdowns, tries, goals and minors, won the game. Match results also list any disputed goals, touchdowns and tries.
Football - On Saturday last a match was played at Old Wolverton
between the Old Wolverton Club and Watling Works, Stony Stratford,
resulting in a win in favour of the latter by one goal to nine rouges.
Croydon’s Weekly Standard 12.02.1876
Wolverton FC v Banbury Rovers the season opening game for both clubs
played at Banbury last Saturday ended in a win for Wolverton 1 try and 5 touchdowns to 1 disputed goal.
The Bucks Standard 08.10.1887
between the Old Wolverton Club and Watling Works, Stony Stratford,
resulting in a win in favour of the latter by one goal to nine rouges.
Croydon’s Weekly Standard 12.02.1876
Wolverton FC v Banbury Rovers the season opening game for both clubs
played at Banbury last Saturday ended in a win for Wolverton 1 try and 5 touchdowns to 1 disputed goal.
The Bucks Standard 08.10.1887
Rugby in the Local Press
The first local rugby newspaper report appears in Croydon’s Weekly Standard, published 22nd January 1875. The game reported on in detail was between Newport Pagnell and Bedford played on the 17th away at Bedford, it included the team’s departure from the Swann Hotel at 12 O’clock “...in excellent style, a large omnibus and a pair of horses being engaged for the occasion.” Followed up the next week with a report on a return match between Stony Stratford against Kettering played at St Paul’s College, Stony Stratford ]
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It is possible that because ‘gentlemen’ were deemed to play rugby, reports on the game appear long before that of association football; however, rugby players came from across the social divides. Such was the dominance of Rugby that The Bucks Standard in 1889, as well as continuing to print match reports which included players names, it introduced “Half Back” who wrote Football Chit Chat, a weekly column supplying personal comment on rugby games, players, spectators and suggested improvements to the game.
Rugby attracted a fair number of spectators whether games were away or at home and newspaper reports frequently remarked on the number of spectators, the weather they experienced, as well as the type of game they witnessed and their level of enjoyment.
Games were often not without incident, provided teams made it to the venue! Bozeat versus Northampton St James in March 1889, to which the Northampton players arrived late in a bitterly cold wind, huddled in three carts, because the Bozeat pitch had been so hard to find. This resulted in a kick-off after 4pm that meant the game also finished in the dark. In addition, a match scheduled at Bury Field, Newport Pagnell v Wellingborough was cancelled as the opponents failed to appear, this was the second time Wellingborough had not turned up and the Editor stated:
The first local rugby newspaper report appears in Croydon’s Weekly Standard, published 22nd January 1875. The game reported on in detail was between Newport Pagnell and Bedford played on the 17th away at Bedford, it included the team’s departure from the Swann Hotel at 12 O’clock “...in excellent style, a large omnibus and a pair of horses being engaged for the occasion.” Followed up the next week with a report on a return match between Stony Stratford against Kettering played at St Paul’s College, Stony Stratford ]
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It is possible that because ‘gentlemen’ were deemed to play rugby, reports on the game appear long before that of association football; however, rugby players came from across the social divides. Such was the dominance of Rugby that The Bucks Standard in 1889, as well as continuing to print match reports which included players names, it introduced “Half Back” who wrote Football Chit Chat, a weekly column supplying personal comment on rugby games, players, spectators and suggested improvements to the game.
Rugby attracted a fair number of spectators whether games were away or at home and newspaper reports frequently remarked on the number of spectators, the weather they experienced, as well as the type of game they witnessed and their level of enjoyment.
Games were often not without incident, provided teams made it to the venue! Bozeat versus Northampton St James in March 1889, to which the Northampton players arrived late in a bitterly cold wind, huddled in three carts, because the Bozeat pitch had been so hard to find. This resulted in a kick-off after 4pm that meant the game also finished in the dark. In addition, a match scheduled at Bury Field, Newport Pagnell v Wellingborough was cancelled as the opponents failed to appear, this was the second time Wellingborough had not turned up and the Editor stated:
“Our advice would be, not to challenge them, or accept a challenge again,
till something more tangible than a mere promise regardlessly broken, is obtained.”
The Bucks Standard 24.11.1888
till something more tangible than a mere promise regardlessly broken, is obtained.”
The Bucks Standard 24.11.1888
The railway certainly played an important part in the growth of the local game. Railway fares were one of the largest expenditures for clubs e.g. Olney RFC spent £50 6s 7d on Railway Fares for the 1921-22 season. Towns with access to railways provided additional competition, local teams travelled to matches in Northampton (which boasted numerous different clubs), Bedford, Rugby, Oxford, Coventry, Leicester, Rushden and Kempston to name but a few. In March 1887 Wolverton travelled to Battersea Park, London for its first match against Battersea Rovers, the match was left unfinished due to the disorderly conduct of spectators and under Captain A. Wooten, Wolverton left the field in disgust. This was not the end of Battersea crowds disrupting a game. The following year in March 1888, Wolverton met the Rovers at Battersea Park again, when the match stopped on several occasions because of crowd invasions onto the pitch. In the second half, after Wolverton gained the only match score, it was noted that the Rovers had 17 men on the field; two spectators had joined the game! On this occasion, the Wolverton men continued the game in good spirit and enjoyed their London excursion
Rugby Club Social Events
Just like today, Clubs organised celebratory end of season dinners. Stony Stratford Football Club wound up its 1875-76 season with a supper at Cock Hotel Wed 22nd March with Dr Mackay taking the Chair. Olney RUFC held a meeting with supper at the Red Lion Inn before the start of the new season in September 1883 to discuss
Clubs also organised a variety of events to fund raise and broaden their base support. Wolverton RFC held a smoking concert on 6th May 1887, presenting a variety of entertainments to which many gentlemen contributed to the amusements for the evening including communal singing, an enjoyable evening was spent and before breaking up votes of thanks were accorded to the singers, accompanist and chairman
Just like today, Clubs organised celebratory end of season dinners. Stony Stratford Football Club wound up its 1875-76 season with a supper at Cock Hotel Wed 22nd March with Dr Mackay taking the Chair. Olney RUFC held a meeting with supper at the Red Lion Inn before the start of the new season in September 1883 to discuss
Clubs also organised a variety of events to fund raise and broaden their base support. Wolverton RFC held a smoking concert on 6th May 1887, presenting a variety of entertainments to which many gentlemen contributed to the amusements for the evening including communal singing, an enjoyable evening was spent and before breaking up votes of thanks were accorded to the singers, accompanist and chairman
A dance was held in the Institute last Easter Monday evening organised by Wolverton Rugby Club.
A good number of supporters were present and some capital music was supplied by Mr Paxton's band.
Mr G Pollard acted as MC [Master of Ceremonies]
The Bucks Standard 27.04.1889
A good number of supporters were present and some capital music was supplied by Mr Paxton's band.
Mr G Pollard acted as MC [Master of Ceremonies]
The Bucks Standard 27.04.1889
Olney RFC’s annual accounts during the early 20th century regularly record expenditure and proceeds from organised Whist Drives, Dances, Archery Tournaments and a Boy’s Concert Party.
Benefit Matches
Without recourse to a National Health system (yet to be established) injuries sustained whilst playing meant players would be without any means of earning an income. To assist them whilst not working benefit matches were organised with proceeds going to the injured players. The first local reported benefit match appears in The Bucks Standard printed in April 1888, organised between Wolverton and Banbury Town to raise funds for two Wolverton players James Goodridge, who broke his leg in a match 2 weeks previously and J Hilton who had been badly kicked and was also unable to work. The match raised £1 14s 6d for the two men.
Without recourse to a National Health system (yet to be established) injuries sustained whilst playing meant players would be without any means of earning an income. To assist them whilst not working benefit matches were organised with proceeds going to the injured players. The first local reported benefit match appears in The Bucks Standard printed in April 1888, organised between Wolverton and Banbury Town to raise funds for two Wolverton players James Goodridge, who broke his leg in a match 2 weeks previously and J Hilton who had been badly kicked and was also unable to work. The match raised £1 14s 6d for the two men.
Junior Rugby
Some clubs were founded at local Schools with rugby pitches and in turn, the schools would undoubtedly have fed players into the club teams. St Paul’s College in Stony Stratford, Trinity School at Old Stratford, Bedford Modern School and Bedford County School teams often featured in local newspaper match reports.
As early as 1880, newspapers reported on matches played by juniors. Old Wolverton Football Club were challenged to a game by Wolverton Juveniles that was played on Rev J Woods’ field and won by the older team one goal and two rouges to five rouges. In December, that same year St Paul’s College were victorious against Reading School winning one goal and seven tries to nothing. A local junior rugby derby in November 1884 between Wolverton Juniors and Trinity School teams resulted in a win for Wolverton by four tries and nine rouges to one try.
In September 1890 at an Olney Rugby Club meeting held at the Rose and Crown Inn, officials decided to set up a juvenile branch within the club as there were so many young boys growing up in the town.
Some clubs were founded at local Schools with rugby pitches and in turn, the schools would undoubtedly have fed players into the club teams. St Paul’s College in Stony Stratford, Trinity School at Old Stratford, Bedford Modern School and Bedford County School teams often featured in local newspaper match reports.
As early as 1880, newspapers reported on matches played by juniors. Old Wolverton Football Club were challenged to a game by Wolverton Juveniles that was played on Rev J Woods’ field and won by the older team one goal and two rouges to five rouges. In December, that same year St Paul’s College were victorious against Reading School winning one goal and seven tries to nothing. A local junior rugby derby in November 1884 between Wolverton Juniors and Trinity School teams resulted in a win for Wolverton by four tries and nine rouges to one try.
In September 1890 at an Olney Rugby Club meeting held at the Rose and Crown Inn, officials decided to set up a juvenile branch within the club as there were so many young boys growing up in the town.
Works Rugby Teams
There is no record whether the large employers of the area and in particular London & North West Railway Carriage Works, Wolverton and Watling Way Works, Stony Stratford actually contributed to or established Rugby teams, or whether men who worked together just formed teams. Evidence does exist however of teams using their employer’s names to play under. Indeed many departments within the Wolverton railway works set up rival teams and competed against each other as well as town and village clubs.
There is no record whether the large employers of the area and in particular London & North West Railway Carriage Works, Wolverton and Watling Way Works, Stony Stratford actually contributed to or established Rugby teams, or whether men who worked together just formed teams. Evidence does exist however of teams using their employer’s names to play under. Indeed many departments within the Wolverton railway works set up rival teams and competed against each other as well as town and village clubs.
Wolverton Football - A match was played on last Saturday at Old Wolverton
between the Trimmers and Finishers employed at the Carriage Works,
which ended in a victory for the former by one goal two tries and six rouges to nothing.
Amongst those who showed good form on the finisher’s side were Messrs, Power, Horn and Ffoulkes
and Messrs Patterson, Clewitt, Bickley and Rooke played well for the trimmers.
Croydon’s Weekly Standard 10.11.1883
between the Trimmers and Finishers employed at the Carriage Works,
which ended in a victory for the former by one goal two tries and six rouges to nothing.
Amongst those who showed good form on the finisher’s side were Messrs, Power, Horn and Ffoulkes
and Messrs Patterson, Clewitt, Bickley and Rooke played well for the trimmers.
Croydon’s Weekly Standard 10.11.1883
Introduction of District and County Rugby
The Northampton and District Challenge Cup was the first major competition held in the area, inaugurated in the 1889/1890 season, both Olney and Wolverton reached the semi-finals but got no further. Northampton St James won the Cup Final against Rushden at Franklin’s Gardens in front of over 2000 spectators.
Inter-County Championships in the area begin in January 1889 with Midland Counties’ Union v Northamptonshire, Beds & Bucks match. The Northamptonshire RFU gave permission to draw the team from across the South Midlands Union clubs due to the limitation of players, so Northamptonshire amalgamated with Beds and Bucks for its first-ever county match played at Rugby. The Team was made up of 5 Players from Bedford, 4 from Northampton, 4 from Wolverton, 1 each from Olney & Rushden and resulted in a win for the Midland Counties’ Union by 2 goals and 1 try to nil.
Buckinghamshire County RFU, inaugurated at a meeting held at The Plough Inn, Newport Pagnell in October 1890 [BSN/01/071], played its first official match that same month against Northamptonshire. The home team won the game, played in brilliant sunshine, in front of a large crowd at Abbey Park, Northampton, by two goals to a try. The Northamptonshire County team included players from Northampton, Rushden, Bozeat and Daventry clubs. Olney and Wolverton provided the players for Bucks. A previous unofficial Bucks team had played South Northants in January 1889, (all players were drawn from the local area) in front of a large crowd at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton. Resulting in a win for South Northants by 3 goals and 2 tries to Bucks 2 tries.
The Northampton and District Challenge Cup was the first major competition held in the area, inaugurated in the 1889/1890 season, both Olney and Wolverton reached the semi-finals but got no further. Northampton St James won the Cup Final against Rushden at Franklin’s Gardens in front of over 2000 spectators.
Inter-County Championships in the area begin in January 1889 with Midland Counties’ Union v Northamptonshire, Beds & Bucks match. The Northamptonshire RFU gave permission to draw the team from across the South Midlands Union clubs due to the limitation of players, so Northamptonshire amalgamated with Beds and Bucks for its first-ever county match played at Rugby. The Team was made up of 5 Players from Bedford, 4 from Northampton, 4 from Wolverton, 1 each from Olney & Rushden and resulted in a win for the Midland Counties’ Union by 2 goals and 1 try to nil.
Buckinghamshire County RFU, inaugurated at a meeting held at The Plough Inn, Newport Pagnell in October 1890 [BSN/01/071], played its first official match that same month against Northamptonshire. The home team won the game, played in brilliant sunshine, in front of a large crowd at Abbey Park, Northampton, by two goals to a try. The Northamptonshire County team included players from Northampton, Rushden, Bozeat and Daventry clubs. Olney and Wolverton provided the players for Bucks. A previous unofficial Bucks team had played South Northants in January 1889, (all players were drawn from the local area) in front of a large crowd at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton. Resulting in a win for South Northants by 3 goals and 2 tries to Bucks 2 tries.
