Joseph Fletcher Green
Encyclopedia
Joseph Green was a rugby union international who represented England
in 1871 in the first international match.
. He was the second son of Frederick Green (1814–76) of the Blackwall shipbuilding family and his wife Elizabeth (nee Fletcher) of Stepney (1813–70). Joseph Green was educated at Rugby and upon leaving school to join his father's firm returned to London
alongside A. G. Guillemard
.
It was written that "for several years [he] was one of the most brilliant of half-backs, being an excellent field, and when once under way as speedy a runner as was ever seen with a ball under his arm, his stride being magnificent." He was selected to play for England in the first ever international match on March 27, 1871 at Edinburgh
in the Scotland
vs England
contest. However, Green sustained a knee injury which ended his career.
for the Marylebone Cricket Club
. He had been in his school's First XI and went on to play two first-class matches in 1870. Of his cricketing skills it was written in the Rugby magazine: "Came out as a bowler at the beginning of the year, but lost precision the latter part, but with great care he may recover it; is a good hitter, but takes things a trifle too cool when at the wicket; fields remarkably well". Three of his wife's brothers played for Kent
, one of whom was Frank Penn
an England International, as well as two of his nephews also being first class players (one for Kent the other for Cambridge University).
of Blackheath on 1 August 1877. This was in the same year that his captain in the first international rugby match, Frederick Stokes
, married Ellen's sister Isabella. Thus, he and Frederick were brothers-in-law. Joseph and Ellen had three children, Ellen May (born 1879), Daisy Maud (born 1882, who married Paul Young in 1908 and had one child Ruby Ellen Young (born 1918)) and Doris(born 1887, who married Edward Longueville in 1909).
Joseph died on 28 August 1923. Joseph's elder brother was Sir Frederick Green and both brothers were involved in F. Green & Co., the passenger and cargo-managing arm of the Green family enterprise. F. Green & Co. was later subsumed in the Orient Steam Navigation Co.
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
in 1871 in the first international match.
Early life
Joseph Green was born on April 28, 1846 in West HamWest Ham
West Ham is in the London Borough of Newham in London, England. In the west it is a post-industrial neighbourhood abutting the site of the London Olympic Park and in the east it is mostly residential, consisting of Victorian terraced housing interspersed with higher density post-War social housing...
. He was the second son of Frederick Green (1814–76) of the Blackwall shipbuilding family and his wife Elizabeth (nee Fletcher) of Stepney (1813–70). Joseph Green was educated at Rugby and upon leaving school to join his father's firm returned to London
Rugby union career
In London, Green chose to play for West Kent Football ClubWest Kent Football Club
The West Kent Football Club was a short-lived 19th century rugby football club that was notable for being one of the twenty-one founding members of the Rugby Football Union, as well as producing a number of international players in the sport's early international fixtures.-History:West Kent were...
alongside A. G. Guillemard
A. G. Guillemard
Arthur George Guillemard was an English rugby union fullback who represented for England in the world's very first rugby international in 1871. Guillemard was also a notable sporting administrator and one of the most important early international rugby referees.-Rugby career:Arthur George...
.
Raeburn Place
Raeburn Place is the main street of Stockbridge, Edinburgh, and the name of the playing fields there.-Rugby:The first international rugby football game was played on the playing fields at Raeburn Place on 27 March 1871 between England and Scotland. It was won by Scotland, though England got revenge...
in the Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
vs England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
contest. However, Green sustained a knee injury which ended his career.
Cricket
Joseph also played first-class cricketFirst-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
for the Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
. He had been in his school's First XI and went on to play two first-class matches in 1870. Of his cricketing skills it was written in the Rugby magazine: "Came out as a bowler at the beginning of the year, but lost precision the latter part, but with great care he may recover it; is a good hitter, but takes things a trifle too cool when at the wicket; fields remarkably well". Three of his wife's brothers played for Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
, one of whom was Frank Penn
Frank Penn (cricketer)
Frank Penn played cricket for Kent County Cricket Club from 1875 to 1881, and was considered one of the finest batsmen of his day. He played England's first Test match in 1880...
an England International, as well as two of his nephews also being first class players (one for Kent the other for Cambridge University).
Career and personal life
Joseph married Ellen Penn, the daughter of the famous marine engineer, John PennJohn Penn (engineer)
John Penn FRS, was a marine engineer, whose firm was pre-eminent in the middle of the nineteenth century due to his innovations in engine and propeller systems, which led his firm to be the major supplier to the Royal Navy as it made the transition from sail to steam power...
of Blackheath on 1 August 1877. This was in the same year that his captain in the first international rugby match, Frederick Stokes
Frederick Stokes (rugby union)
Frederick Stokes was the first captain of the England national rugby union team, who played for and captained the team in the first three rugby internationals, all between England and Scotland...
, married Ellen's sister Isabella. Thus, he and Frederick were brothers-in-law. Joseph and Ellen had three children, Ellen May (born 1879), Daisy Maud (born 1882, who married Paul Young in 1908 and had one child Ruby Ellen Young (born 1918)) and Doris(born 1887, who married Edward Longueville in 1909).
Joseph died on 28 August 1923. Joseph's elder brother was Sir Frederick Green and both brothers were involved in F. Green & Co., the passenger and cargo-managing arm of the Green family enterprise. F. Green & Co. was later subsumed in the Orient Steam Navigation Co.