by John Everett (1927-36)
John Everett (1927-36) writes:
“I joined the School (aged 7) in September 1927, when the main sport was Association Football and the School had a strong 1st XV. This continued to be the case until the early 1930s, when Mt T H Fallows, a mathematics teacher, decided to try and introduce rugby.
In the Christmas 1932 holidays he asked any boys interested in rugby to attend three practice and instructional games, and I was one of the younger boys to attend. A South African rugby international, Mr L C Gower, did some of the coaching.
As a first venture a game against the Old Boys was arranged during the February 1933 half-term holiday, but this was cancelled due to heavy snow – not an auspicious start.
Rugby was eventually adopted as the School’s main winter sport for the Spring Term of 1934, In 1935 association football was dropped altogether.
The Old Oxford Citizens RFC was formed in April 1934 and one XV played for the whole of the following season. A second team was formed the next year.
How times have changed. In 1938/39 the rugby club’s subscription was raised from 7/6 to 10/-. Happy Days!
I wonder if there are any other Old Boys who took part in those initial first steps?