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Ban the Game! During the 1880 season, S E Gibbs died as a result of an injury while playing against
Romsey. There was much local comment and the then Mayor of Southampton issued a handbill, published in full in "The Times", condemning the game as follows:
"The Mayor in consequence of the many serious accidents and the recent deplorable death in Southampton resulting from the dangerous practice of playing football requests the Heads of Families, the Principals of Scholastic Establishments in the Town and Members of Clubs to take such steps as may be necessary for preventing the game being played in future according to Rugby Union, Association and other rules of a dangerous character. The Mayor considers it his duty to use every means in his power for prohibiting the game as hitherto played being continued in the Porters Meadow field or upon any other of the Public lands in Southampton".
At the Committee Meeting of 16th December 1880 "It was decided to play as usual unless we found out before that the Mayor had given any instruction to the police. In that case it was thought best to summons any offending "arm of the law" for assault". The Formation of the Hampshire Rugby Football Union At the Trojan Club's initiative, a meeting was held on 13th April 1883 to discuss the formation of "The Hampshire County Rugby Football Union". In the first season of the County Club, at least seven Trojans represented the County.
In 1901 County activities ceased and it was again the Trojans, along with United Services, who, in 1910, convened a meeting at the Trojans Club for the purpose of forming a Rugby Football Union in Hampshire.
Over 60 Trojan members have represented the county at rugby.
“International”
Football"
Although
a rugby club, Trojans were known, on occasions, to play with the round
ball. The following team was selected to play Curries French team (from
Havre) on the New Football Ground, Archers Road (the Dell) on Tuesday 1st
November 1898. Scotney, goal, Denning & Maundrell, backs, Densham,
Ellerby & Colson, halfs, Ellaby, Page, Macdonald, Gamble &
Hussey (councillor and later Sir George), forwards. Trojans were allowed
to take half the gate money. The Echo reported this as a game against a
team of French players and thus it claimed the honour of being the first
international match played at the Dell.
 The First Hampshire Cup
In May 1888 the Trojans Committee proposed the starting of a Rugby Union Cup Competition in the interests of Rugby
Football. The County Challenge Cup (Presented by Tankerville Chamberlayne
M.P., President of Trojans, and pictured here) was started in the 1889/1890 season and the Club entered the same. During this year, not only was the pitch enclosed by rope,
but a charge of sixpence was made to all spectators. The Cup was duly won by Trojans in March 1890. Whether it was ever played for again is not sure as, in 1891, Trojans decided not to enter because " it was felt that it was a farce putting up the cup at the fag end of the season to be competed for by three clubs"! The present whereabouts of the grand cup is not known, although it is believed it was presented back to Tankerville
Chamberlayne. |
