a world first
A treasure trove of rugby football memorabilia
The Webb Ellis Rugby Museum is a treasure trove of rugby football memorabilia which has been collected over the last 180 years. In 1842, the building was originally a workshop for William and then James Gilbert, and this long term involvement with rugby football gives the building the prestige of having the longest continuous association with the game of any site in the world.
the beginnings
Rodney Webb
The collection itself was started by former England international, Rodney Webb, when he took over the running of James Gilbert Ltd in the early 1980’s. During his tenure of the Gilbert company, many existing artefacts were in severe disrepair, and required extensive restoration. Once this had been achieved and display cases installed, the collection could took its place at the home of rugby, in St.Matthew’s Street.
a global collection
Open for 44 years
Since its inception in 1982, countless individuals, clubs, schools, organisations, and unions from all over the world have visited the museum. Many of them have donated all manner of items to the collection, with a special mention to the Barbarian Football Club whose unique contribution warrants its own Baa-Baas display room within the museum.
In 2002, Webb Ellis has taken on the operation of the museum, and has kept history, tradition and the core values of the game central to the museum’s appeal.
Acknowledgments
The Webb Ellis rugby Museum would like to formally express their gratitude to the following :
- Rodney Webb
- Guy Steele ‘Bodger’ & the late Mickey Steele Bodger
- The Barbarians Football Club
- The late John Batchelor
- Paul Jackson
- Mike Pike
