St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

JY071

Jersey

CIC

Adrian Stoop

1910-1911

Jersey, England, 1911, white with English Rose motif on breast and "A D Stoop" sewn in on a label to collar inside.

This England jersey belonged to the great fly-half Adrian Stoop. He wore it when Wales beat England15 - 11 on 21st January 1911 at St Helens. Wales’ captain that day was Swansea’s club captain Billy Trew, himself a rugby legend by then. He said the England team that day were “the finest England team I have ever played against.” Stoop played for Harlequins from 1901-39, captaining them 1906-07 to 1913-14 and playing his last game for them aged 56! He won 15 England caps from 1905 to 1912. Stoop did much to help the RFU in organising their new Twickenham ground and was responsible for the agreement between the RFU and Harlequins club for the latter to play there. Harlequins’ Stoop Memorial Ground (now known as the Twickenham Stoop) was opened nearby to Twickenham ground and named in Stoop's honour for his many efforts on behalf of his old club. He introduced many of the half-back tactics in Welsh play into the English game, improving the performances of both the Harlequins club and English national team. He also played for Oxford URFC, Barbarians & Surrey.

jersey, england, 1911, adrian stoop, 1910-1911,