Thomas Kelly (rugby player)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Kelly was a rugby union international who represented England
from 1906 to 1908. He also captained his country to a 19-0 victory over France
at the Stade Colombes
in Paris
on 1 January 1908.
. and educated at Blundell's School
.
and is the only player from that team to have captained England. He also turned out for Devon County in 39 games between 1903 and 1910, including games against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. In the 1908-09 match against Australia, he scored the only try against the visitors. As well as playing for Devon he also played for the Lancashire County Team
. After playing for Exeter he also played for London Devonians, London Civil Service, Liverpool OBs and Harlequins. Kelly played a total of 12 matches for England, but only one as captain. He made his international debut on January 13, 1906 at the Athletic Ground, Richmond
in the England
vs Wales
match. Of the 12 matches he played for his national side he was on the winning side on 5 occasions. He played his final match for England on Mar 21, 1908 at Inverleith
in the Scotland
vs England
match.
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 1906 to 1908. He also captained his country to a 19-0 victory over France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
at the Stade Colombes
Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir
The Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir - stadium in Colombes, near Paris, France . Named in memory of French rugby player Yves du Manoir in 1928. Was the main stadium for the 1924 Summer Olympics and had a capacity of 45,000 at the time...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
on 1 January 1908.
Early life
Thomas Kelly was born in 1882 in Tiverton, DevonDevon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
. and educated at Blundell's School
Blundell's School
Blundell's School is a co-educational day and boarding independent school located in the town of Tiverton in the county of Devon, England. The school was founded in 1604 by the will of Peter Blundell, one of the richest men in England at the time, and relocated to its present location on the...
.
Rugby union career
Kelly played Lock for Exeter Rugby ClubExeter Chiefs
Exeter Rugby Club are a rugby union club based in Exeter, Devon.The Exeter club was formed around 1871 and played its first match in 1873. The first team has been rebranded as the Exeter Chiefs and play in a strip of Black , White ....
and is the only player from that team to have captained England. He also turned out for Devon County in 39 games between 1903 and 1910, including games against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. In the 1908-09 match against Australia, he scored the only try against the visitors. As well as playing for Devon he also played for the Lancashire County Team
Lancashire County Rugby Football Union
The Lancashire County Rugby Football Union is the society responsible for rugby union in the county of Lancashire, England and is one of the constituent bodies of the national Rugby Football Union having been formed in 1881...
. After playing for Exeter he also played for London Devonians, London Civil Service, Liverpool OBs and Harlequins. Kelly played a total of 12 matches for England, but only one as captain. He made his international debut on January 13, 1906 at the Athletic Ground, Richmond
Athletic Ground, Richmond
The Athletic Ground, Richmond, is a rugby ground home to National League 2 South side Richmond F.C. and the RFU Championship side London Scottish...
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 Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
match. Of the 12 matches he played for his national side he was on the winning side on 5 occasions. He played his final match for England on Mar 21, 1908 at Inverleith
Inverleith
Inverleith is an inner suburb in the northern part of Edinburgh, Scotland, on the fringes of the central region of the city. It is an affluent suburb. Its neighbours include Trinity to the north and the New Town to the south, with Canonmills at the south-east and Stockbridge at the south-west...
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...
match.