Francis Luscombe
Encyclopedia
Francis Luscombe was a rugby union international who represented England
from 1872 to 1876. He also captained his country.
, then in Surrey
. He was baptised at Ifield Church and with his family soon after moved to Croydon
His father, John Henry Luscombe (1797 to 1883), was a shipowner who had married late in life at the age of fifty to Clara Bristow (1823 to 1910), twenty-six years his junior. Francis, known as Frank in his family, had at least three siblings, an older brother John Henry "Harry" (1848–1937), a younger brother, Alfred (1851–1942) and a younger sister Clara Elizabeth "Kitty" (1854–1900). He attended Tonbridge School
. and after leaving school worked for the insurance brokers, Lachlan & partners. By 1871 he was a partner at Vaughan Smith & Co., a brokerage specialising in Russia.
were the first brothers to appear together in a rugby international, in the very first international in 1871. However, this is a misconception because Francis Luscombe did not play in that very first international, though his brother did. Prior to the first international and also before the foundation of the Rugby Football Union
, Francis Luscombe had not only established himself as a formidable rugby forward, but had also been instrumental in the creation of the Gipsies Football Club
. It was founded in October 1868, by three Old Tonbridgians, Francis Luscombe, J. A. Body, and W. J. Parker. These three men were keen on football and wanted to provide a football club in London with which Tonbridge
's former pupils could affiliate, much as the Marlborough Nomads
served Marlborough College
. These three soon recruited a number of likeminded individuals and in the summer of 1868 they were able to arrange a card of matches for the season 1868-69. After the two first matches had been played a meeting was called on the 17th of October 1868 and "The Gipsies Football Club" was formed with Francis Luscombe elected as honarary secretary. The team was based in Peckham
. and was unbeaten in its first season (with 7 matches won and 11 drawn) and in the next season, 1869–70, the club continued its good form playing 18 out of which they drew 13, won 3 and lost just 2. Among the many opponents attracted to play the team were Blackheath FC, Richmond FC, Oxford
and Cambridge Universities, Ravenscourt Park
, Marlborough Nomads
, Woolwich, Sandhurst, Cooper's Hill, St. Andrew's Rovers
, Clapham Rovers, and West Kent
. Such was the reputation of the club, that on 26 January 1871, the Gipsies were one of the twenty-one London and suburban football clubs that followed Rugby School
rules that assembled at the Pall Mall Restaurant
in Regent Street
and formed the Rugby Football Union
was formed. Francis Luscombe was not only present but also became one of the thirteen original committee members. The first instance of the RFU trialing its laws was in 1871 in a match between the Football Company and Harlequins FC. Francis Luscombe, who along with John Bentley
had been instrumental in founding the Football Company, played in that match. It is interesting to note that the Football Company adopted the all white strip of Rugby School
, and following this match it was decided that England should also wear white.
He did not find a place in that first Scotland vs England match in 1871 but was selected for the return match in 1872. Luscombe made his international debut on 5 February 1872 at The Oval
in the England
vs Scotland
match. In total he played four times against Scotland and twice against Ireland. He played his final match for England on 6 March 1876 at The Oval
in the England
vs Scotland
match. In the following 1877/78 season he was vice-president of the Rugby Football Union
.
in West Sussex
. Although married to Mary Edith Hogg on 5 April 1877, he had no children. Similarly, his sister Clara, had no issue, but he did have a number of nieces and nephews via his two brothers.
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...
from 1872 to 1876. He also captained his country.
Early life
Francis Luscombe was born on 1849 in NorwoodUpper Norwood
Upper Norwood is an elevated area in south London, England within the postcode SE19. It is a residential district largely in the London Borough of Croydon although some parts extend into the London Borough of Lambeth, London Borough of Southwark and the London Borough of Bromley. Upper Norwood...
, then in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
. He was baptised at Ifield Church and with his family soon after moved to Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
His father, John Henry Luscombe (1797 to 1883), was a shipowner who had married late in life at the age of fifty to Clara Bristow (1823 to 1910), twenty-six years his junior. Francis, known as Frank in his family, had at least three siblings, an older brother John Henry "Harry" (1848–1937), a younger brother, Alfred (1851–1942) and a younger sister Clara Elizabeth "Kitty" (1854–1900). He attended Tonbridge School
Tonbridge School
Tonbridge School is a British boys' independent school for both boarding and day pupils in Tonbridge, Kent, founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judd . It is a member of the Eton Group, and has close links with the Worshipful Company of Skinners, one of the oldest London livery companies...
. and after leaving school worked for the insurance brokers, Lachlan & partners. By 1871 he was a partner at Vaughan Smith & Co., a brokerage specialising in Russia.
Rugby union career
A number of sources suggest that Francis and his brother JohnJohn Luscombe
Sir John Luscombe was a rugby union international who represented England in the first international match in 1871. He was the brother of another rugby international, Francis Luscombe, and was a highly successful insurance broker, becoming chairman of Lloyds of London and being knighted for his...
were the first brothers to appear together in a rugby international, in the very first international in 1871. However, this is a misconception because Francis Luscombe did not play in that very first international, though his brother did. Prior to the first international and also before the foundation 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...
, Francis Luscombe had not only established himself as a formidable rugby forward, but had also been instrumental in the creation of the Gipsies Football Club
Gipsies Football Club
The Gipsies 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:The Gipsies...
. It was founded in October 1868, by three Old Tonbridgians, Francis Luscombe, J. A. Body, and W. J. Parker. These three men were keen on football and wanted to provide a football club in London with which Tonbridge
Tonbridge School
Tonbridge School is a British boys' independent school for both boarding and day pupils in Tonbridge, Kent, founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judd . It is a member of the Eton Group, and has close links with the Worshipful Company of Skinners, one of the oldest London livery companies...
's former pupils could affiliate, much as the 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....
served Marlborough College
Marlborough College
Marlborough College is a British co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils, located in Marlborough, Wiltshire.Founded in 1843 for the education of the sons of Church of England clergy, the school now accepts both boys and girls of all beliefs. Currently there are just over 800...
. These three soon recruited a number of likeminded individuals and in the summer of 1868 they were able to arrange a card of matches for the season 1868-69. After the two first matches had been played a meeting was called on the 17th of October 1868 and "The Gipsies Football Club" was formed with Francis Luscombe elected as honarary secretary. The team was based in Peckham
Peckham
Peckham is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Southwark. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
. and was unbeaten in its first season (with 7 matches won and 11 drawn) and in the next season, 1869–70, the club continued its good form playing 18 out of which they drew 13, won 3 and lost just 2. Among the many opponents attracted to play the team were Blackheath FC, Richmond FC, Oxford
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
and Cambridge Universities, Ravenscourt Park
Ravenscourt Park Football Club
Ravenscourt Park 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:Ravenscourt Park was founded...
, 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....
, Woolwich, Sandhurst, Cooper's Hill, St. Andrew's Rovers
St. Andrew's Rovers FC
St. Andrew's Rovers FC was a 19th century rugby football club. It was formed by people of Scottish origin living in London, and is notable for being both one of the earliest football clubs and also for its part in the formation of London Scottish FC.-History:St. Andrew's Rovers was established in...
, Clapham Rovers, and West Kent
West 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...
. Such was the reputation of the club, that on 26 January 1871, the Gipsies were one of the 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 that 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...
and formed 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. Francis Luscombe was not only present but also became one of the thirteen original committee members. The first instance of the RFU trialing its laws was in 1871 in a match between the Football Company and Harlequins FC. Francis Luscombe, who along with John Bentley
John Bentley
John Bentley may refer to:* John Edmund Bentley, English rugby international* John Bentley * John Bentley , English dual-code international rugby footballer* John Bentley , British actor...
had been instrumental in founding the Football Company, played in that match. It is interesting to note that the Football Company adopted the all white strip of 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:...
, and following this match it was decided that England should also wear white.
He did not find a place in that first Scotland vs England match in 1871 but was selected for the return match in 1872. Luscombe made his international debut on 5 February 1872 at The Oval
The Oval
The Kia Oval, still commonly referred to by its original name of The Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth. In the past it was also sometimes called the Kennington Oval...
in the 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...
vs 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...
match. In total he played four times against Scotland and twice against Ireland. He played his final match for England on 6 March 1876 at The Oval
The Oval
The Kia Oval, still commonly referred to by its original name of The Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth. In the past it was also sometimes called the Kennington Oval...
in the 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...
vs 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...
match. In the following 1877/78 season he was vice-president 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...
.
Personal life
Luscombe later bred horses and was the owner of the Tilgate Forest Stud near CrawleyCrawley
Crawley is a town and local government district with Borough status in West Sussex, England. It is south of Charing Cross, north of Brighton and Hove, and northeast of the county town of Chichester, covers an area of and had a population of 99,744 at the time of the 2001 Census.The area has...
in West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
. Although married to Mary Edith Hogg on 5 April 1877, he had no children. Similarly, his sister Clara, had no issue, but he did have a number of nieces and nephews via his two brothers.