St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

JY131

Jersey

CIC

Owain Bale

1950s

Jersey, Ranji Walkers XV, 1950s, burgundy with white collar and cuffs. Ranji Walker's XV motif on breast, No:7 on back

Jersey – “Ranji Walker’s XV”. Circa 1950s. Touring invitation team begun by Wing Cdr Sidney George “Ranji” Walker O.B.E. at Swansea in 1948. They played Swansea and other leading clubs annually until 1959 and many international players graced their all-out attacking teams, though selection favoured promising players, from British and even French teams, many of whom went on to be capped. This illustrated a sound judge of ability and potential by Walker and his committee. the number on the back of this jersey is representative of the system in use during the 150s. Numbers 6 and 7 denominating the outside-half and scrum-half respectively. This jersey, in excellent condition, was presented to the collection by Owain Bale, a former Swansea Youth and Swansea Athletic player, who wore this jersey while playing for the Swansea youth circa 1968. It would have been previously in the possession of Swansea RFC, who presumably did not object at that time to handing out an historic jersey for use. It is probable, though the jersey number denotes the scrum-half position, that Owain wore this jersey as an outside-half.

ranji walker's xv, 1950s, owain bale,