Tom Graham
Encyclopedia
Thomas 'Tom' Cooper Graham (1866 – 1 December 1945) was an England
-born rugby union
international forward who played club rugby for Newport. He won 12 caps for Wales
and was seen as intelligent, mobile forward player. Graham is most notable within rugby for his captaincy of Newport, which saw the team through one of their most successful periods, including the 1891/92 "invincible" season.
to find work in Newport
. While in Newport he joined the rugby club, making his debut on 15 October 1886 against the Cardiff Harlequins
. In 1888, Graham was part of the Newport team to face the first Southern hemisphere touring team the New Zealand Māoris
. Led by Theo Harding
, Newport were out-muscled by the Māoris, losing three tries to nil. By 1890, Graham had been made the team captain, an honour he would hold for four consecutive seasons.
The Newport team of the time contained several players who would see Wales lift their first Triple Crown
trophy. His vice captain was Wales front row specialist Jim Hannan
, while the rest of the team included internationals Arthur Boucher
, Harry Packer
, Harry Day
and Welsh rugby legend Arthur Gould. Graham initiated a policy of weekly training in the teams gymnasium and an avoidance of alcohol. Welsh sports journalist 'Dromio' wrote that under Graham's captaincy '...the dressing room became a school for footballers'.
During the 1891/92 season, Newport, under the captaincy of Graham, played 33 games, winning 29, drawing 4 and losing none. With 72 goals and 95 tries scored and only three goals and five tries conceded, it was one of the greatest seasons in the team's history.
. Under the captaincy of team mate Gould, Wales drew the game 3-3 with the Welsh points coming from a try
from another Newport player, Charlie Thomas
. Although Graham missed the next Wales game, the opening match of the 1891 Championship
to England at Newport's Rodney Parade
, he was reselected for the final two games of the tournament.
After playing two matches for Wales in a disappointing 1892 season
, Graham played his only full Home Nations Championship in 1893
. After a narrow win over England in the opening game at the Cardiff Arms Park
, Wales were on fine form in an away victory over Scotland. The last match at Stradey Park
saw Wales beat Ireland and lift the Triple Crown for the first time in the country's history. Graham would play four more matches for Wales over the next two seasons, though would only play in one more win for his country, in a match against Scotland in 1894
. In Graham's penultimate international game he scored his only points for his country, when he scored a try at St. Helen's in 1895.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
-born rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
international forward who played club rugby for Newport. He won 12 caps for 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...
and was seen as intelligent, mobile forward player. Graham is most notable within rugby for his captaincy of Newport, which saw the team through one of their most successful periods, including the 1891/92 "invincible" season.
Club career
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne in the North of England, Graham had left TynesideTyneside
Tyneside is a conurbation in North East England, defined by the Office of National Statistics, which is home to over 80% of the population of Tyne and Wear. It includes the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the Metropolitan Boroughs of Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside — all settlements on...
to find work in Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
. While in Newport he joined the rugby club, making his debut on 15 October 1886 against the Cardiff Harlequins
Cardiff Harlequins RFC
Cardiff Harlequins RFC was a rugby union club located in the Welsh capital city of Cardiff. The team provided several international players during the late 19th century, most notably Gwyn Nicholls, who after leaving the club not only represented Wales but also played for the British Isles on their...
. In 1888, Graham was part of the Newport team to face the first Southern hemisphere touring team the New Zealand Māoris
1888-1889 New Zealand Native football team
The 1888–1889 New Zealand Native football team was a New Zealand football team that toured Britain, Australia and New Zealand in 1888 and 1889. The team was composed mainly of players of Māori ancestry, although several Pakeha were included in the squad. The tour was a private endeavour, and was...
. Led by Theo Harding
Theo Harding
Charles Theodore 'Theo' Harding was an English-born international rugby union player who played club rugby for Newport and international rugby for Wales...
, Newport were out-muscled by the Māoris, losing three tries to nil. By 1890, Graham had been made the team captain, an honour he would hold for four consecutive seasons.
The Newport team of the time contained several players who would see Wales lift their first Triple Crown
Triple Crown (Rugby Union)
In rugby union, the Triple Crown is an honour contested annually by the four national teams of the British Isles who compete within the larger Six Nations Championship: England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. If any one team manages to win all their games against the other three they win the...
trophy. His vice captain was Wales front row specialist Jim Hannan
Jim Hannan (rugby player)
Jim Hannan was a Welsh international rugby union player who played club rugby for Newport. A strong tactical forward his scrummaging work was excellent and could pivot the whole scrum around him....
, while the rest of the team included internationals Arthur Boucher
Arthur Boucher
Arthur Boucher was a Welsh international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Newport. Boucher was an adaptable player, who although selected mainly as a forward, often played at centre. He was strong, quick for his position and passed well on the run...
, Harry Packer
Harry Packer
Harry Packer was an English-born international rugby union prop who played club rugby for Newport and was capped seven times for Wales...
, Harry Day
Harry Day (rugby player)
Henry "Harry" Thomas Day was a Welsh international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Newport and Cardiff. Day was awarded five caps for Wales, and was most notable for being part of the 1893 Welsh Triple Crown winning team...
and Welsh rugby legend Arthur Gould. Graham initiated a policy of weekly training in the teams gymnasium and an avoidance of alcohol. Welsh sports journalist 'Dromio' wrote that under Graham's captaincy '...the dressing room became a school for footballers'.
During the 1891/92 season, Newport, under the captaincy of Graham, played 33 games, winning 29, drawing 4 and losing none. With 72 goals and 95 tries scored and only three goals and five tries conceded, it was one of the greatest seasons in the team's history.
International career
Graham made his international debut for Wales in a match against Ireland as part of the 1890 Home Nations Championship1890 Home Nations Championship
The 1890 Home Nations Championship was the eighth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 1 February and 15 March. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.-Table:-Results:...
. Under the captaincy of team mate Gould, Wales drew the game 3-3 with the Welsh points coming from a try
Try
A try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...
from another Newport player, Charlie Thomas
Charlie Thomas (rugby player)
Charles 'Charlie' Thomas was a Welsh international rugby union utility player who played club rugby for Newport and invitational rugby for the Barbarians. Thomas won nine caps for Wales.-Rugby career:...
. Although Graham missed the next Wales game, the opening match of the 1891 Championship
1891 Home Nations Championship
The 1891 Home Nations Championship was the ninth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 3 January and 7 March...
to England at Newport's Rodney Parade
Rodney Parade
Rodney Parade is a stadium in the city of Newport, south Wales. Located on the east bank of the River Usk in Newport city centre it is primarily used for rugby matches and is the home ground of Newport RFC and the Newport Gwent Dragons regional team.-History:...
, he was reselected for the final two games of the tournament.
After playing two matches for Wales in a disappointing 1892 season
1892 Home Nations Championship
The 1892 Home Nations Championship was the tenth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 2 January and 5 March. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales....
, Graham played his only full Home Nations Championship in 1893
1893 Home Nations Championship
The 1893 Home Nations Championship was the eleventh series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 17 January and 11 March. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales...
. After a narrow win over England in the opening game at the Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park , also known as The Arms Park, is primarily known as a rugby union stadium, but it also has a bowling green, and is situated in the centre of Cardiff, Wales. The Arms Park was host to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1958, and hosted four games in the 1991 Rugby World...
, Wales were on fine form in an away victory over Scotland. The last match at Stradey Park
Stradey Park
Stradey Park was a rugby union stadium located near the centre of the town of Llanelli in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It was the home of the Scarlets region and Llanelli RFC rugby teams. The stadium was a combination of seating and standing with a total capacity of 10,800...
saw Wales beat Ireland and lift the Triple Crown for the first time in the country's history. Graham would play four more matches for Wales over the next two seasons, though would only play in one more win for his country, in a match against Scotland in 1894
1894 Home Nations Championship
The 1894 Home Nations Championship was the twelfth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 6 January and 17 March. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.-Table:-Results:...
. In Graham's penultimate international game he scored his only points for his country, when he scored a try at St. Helen's in 1895.