Law FC
Encyclopedia
Law, or The Law Club as they were also known was a 19th century football club that fielded teams playing by rugby football
codes. It is notable for being one of the twenty-one founding members of the Rugby Football Union
and for producing in a very short life span, a number of international players.
, the club effectively played only away matches. The teams colours were Black with a red cross on the breast.
On 26 January 1871, they sent representation to a meeting of twenty-one London and suburban football clubs that followed Rugby School
rules (Wasps were invited by failed to attend) assembled at the Pall Mall Restaurant
in Regent Street
. E.C. Holmes, captain of the Richmond Club
assumed the presidency. It was resolved unanimously that the formation of a Rugby Football Society was desirable and thus the Rugby Football Union
was formed. A president, a secretary and treasurer, and a committee of thirteen were elected, to whom was entrusted the drawing-up of the laws of the game upon the basis of the code in use at Rugby School. Law was considered prominent enough to have been invited, and also gain one of the thirteen places on the original committee in the person of R. Leigh.
(1873 vs Scotland; Morse received two more caps whilst playing for Marlborough Nomads
) Ernest Cheston
(1873 vs Scotland; Cheston received four more caps whilst playing for Richmond F.C.
)
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
codes. It is notable for being one of the twenty-one founding members of the Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
and for producing in a very short life span, a number of international players.
History
Law was established in 1870 as a closed club for members of the legal profession. Presumably because of the demands of their profession, the club could only play on Wednesdays. The club was also nomadic, and so despite having a secretary based at Lincoln's Inn FieldsLincoln's Inn Fields
Lincoln's Inn Fields is the largest public square in London, UK. It was laid out in the 1630s under the initiative of the speculative builder and contractor William Newton, "the first in a long series of entrepreneurs who took a hand in developing London", as Sir Nikolaus Pevsner observes...
, the club effectively played only away matches. The teams colours were Black with a red cross on the breast.
On 26 January 1871, they sent representation to a meeting of twenty-one London and suburban football clubs that followed Rugby School
Rugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
rules (Wasps were invited by failed to attend) assembled at the Pall Mall Restaurant
Pall Mall Restaurant
The Pall Mall Restaurant was a hostelry situated at Number 1 Cockspur Street, Westminster, London, just off Pall Mall and near Trafalgar Square...
in Regent Street
Regent Street
Regent Street is one of the major shopping streets in London's West End, well known to tourists and Londoners alike, and famous for its Christmas illuminations...
. E.C. Holmes, captain of the Richmond Club
Richmond F.C.
Richmond Football Club is a rugby union club from Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs...
assumed the presidency. It was resolved unanimously that the formation of a Rugby Football Society was desirable and thus the Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
was formed. A president, a secretary and treasurer, and a committee of thirteen were elected, to whom was entrusted the drawing-up of the laws of the game upon the basis of the code in use at Rugby School. Law was considered prominent enough to have been invited, and also gain one of the thirteen places on the original committee in the person of R. Leigh.
Notable players
Despite their short longeivity, the club produced three international players with nine caps between them: P. Wilkinson (1872 vs Scotland) Sydney MorseSydney Morse
Sydney Morse was a rugby union international who represented England from 1873 to 1875. -Early life:Sydney Morse was born on June 1, 1854 in Birmingham. He was the son of Rev Francis Morse, MA, and his wife Clarissa Catharine Morse. Francis, at the time of Sydney's birth, was the incumbent of the...
(1873 vs Scotland; Morse received two more caps whilst playing for Marlborough Nomads
Marlborough Nomads
The Marlborough Nomads was a 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....
) Ernest Cheston
Ernest Cheston
Ernest Cheston was a rugby union international who represented England from 1873 to 1876.-Early life:Ernest Cheston was born on 24 October 1848 in Hackney the sixth son of Chester Cheston of Clapton. He attended Haileybury and Imperial Service College where he was the captain of the school rugby XX...
(1873 vs Scotland; Cheston received four more caps whilst playing for Richmond F.C.
Richmond F.C.
Richmond Football Club is a rugby union club from Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs...
)