St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

PH047

Photograph

Swansea RFC Memorabilia Community Interest Company

Swansea RFC

1889-1890

Photograph, B&W, mounted and titled. Swansea RFC first fifteen 1889-1890 season. Dimensions: w18 3/4 x h15" (w48cm x h38cm)

Swansea RFC first fifteen in the 1889-1890 season. P: 29, W: 22, D: 3, L: 4, Pts for: 240, ag: 56. Honours: Premier Team of Wales. The picture mount is gold edged and hand written with illuminated letters. This was the first season Swansea, under the captaincy of Billy Bowen, had ended as 'Premier' Club of Wales and was the first full season that the invovative half-back pairing, the James brothers David and Evan played for the club. The Welsh capped players in the image were: skipper Billy Bowen, fellow forwards Tom Williams, Walter Rice Evans and John Meredith, and half-back Evan James. His older brother David would be capped the following season. The other capped player was W J "Billy" Bancroft, who made the first three of his 33 CONSECUTIVE Welsh appearances in 1890. Forward Jack Samuel would be capped the following season as would his brother Dai, who does not appear in this photograph but did play this season. Appearing smartly dressed in the back row is former Swansea full-back Edward Copus, who played for the 1st XV from 1874 to 1879. He fulfilled the role of Umpire (Now known as a linesman) at the club now and also refereed matches. Back Row (L to R): Tom Williams, William Williams, Sam Goldsworthy, Edward Copus (Official), Ned Charles, Dai Morgan, John Meredith. 2nd Row(L to R): J S Longdon, Harry Bevan, William Bowen (captain), Frank Pearce, W J Bancroft, Arthur Whapham. Front Row(L to R): Evan James, W H Jones, David James.

photograph, swansea, first fifteen, 1889-1890, premier team, Tom Williams, William Williams, Sam Goldsworthy, Edward Copus, Ned Charles, Dai Morgan, John Meredith, J S Longdon, Harry Bevan, William Bowen, Frank Pearce, W J Bancroft, Arthur Whapham, Evan James, W H Jones, David James,