Working Class Rugby Union after 1895? Especially in England

[SouthBedfordshireFan]

Hi,

I have recently got into the game of rugby union and I have always been interested in the demographics of the game.

What information is out there regarding the game amongst the English working classes post 1895 schism?

I am aware that a number of the Midland/West Country clubs do have working class connections like Northampton, Leicester and Gloucester.

Why did those clubs not join the Northern Union/RFL with regards to professionalism and broken time?

Thank you.

 

[SéniorHuevo]

Tony Collins is a great place to start on any of this. The real mystery is why Wales didn't go over, the lack of the international game (familiar) severely hampering RL as well as a soon to be entrenched parochial attitude that prevented a Glasgow team joining.

Potentially,the soon to be collapse in salaries in the Premiership as it becomes unsustainable combined with the increasing internationalisation of private schools whose students don't care about the sport may force the game to go and get more working class lads for whom the reduced salary would still be attractive.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Loads of working class lads play rugby across the country. The reason you see more at the higher level is because at private schools they train 6 days a week where as normal people only train once or twice.

I’d also be interested to understand what working class means these days.

 

[Which Tyler]

Loads of working class lads play rugby across the country. The reason you see more at the higher level is because at private schools they train 6 days a week where as normal people only train once or twice.

I’d also be interested to understand what working class means these days.

Not to mention the private schools handing out scholarships like candy for 6th form (and earlier).
And definitely no mention of so many state schools selling off their sports pitches decades ago.

 

[Saintjay]

The Police / Military have or had teams feeding the RFU system. Again like public schools more time/opportunity to play and train.

This also mixed the working class in with the middle/upper classes.

 

[Seeker]

Loads of working class lads play rugby across the country. The reason you see more at the higher level is because at private schools they train 6 days a week where as normal people only train once or twice.

I’d also be interested to understand what working class means these days.

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

 

[Seeker]

The Police / Military have or had teams feeding the RFU system. Again like public schools more time/opportunity to play and train.

This also mixed the working class in with the middle/upper classes.

We have the same thing here in America, although not as much. Some military members play rugby (playing other service men and women from other bases). And some of the larger Police and Fire Departments play rugby. Cops and Firefighters have a rivalry going way back and they take it out on the rugby pitch.

 

[Vaquer]

Loads of working class lads play rugby across the country. The reason you see more at the higher level is because at private schools they train 6 days a week where as normal people only train once or twice.

I’d also be interested to understand what working class means these days.

People attending rugby union games in the UK don't seem particularly working class or non-'doing fine' compared to soccer which has no shortage of wealthy people going at this point.

 

[Saintjay]

People attending rugby union games in the UK don't seem particularly working class or non-'doing fine' compared to soccer which has no shortage of wealthy people going at this point.

Wealthy people have always been going to sport. I know more people going to see Cambridge United than Prem football teams this weekend.

Depends on your definition of working class i guess. Personaly I don't think it means having to be poor.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Loads of working class lads play rugby across the country. The reason you see more at the higher level is because at private schools they train 6 days a week where as normal people only train once or twice.

Difference in coaching standards is crazy as well,
Our school rugby side was taught by the PE teacher who had played for the local club in his youth,
My mate moved to a private school for sixth form and their rugby "programme" was run by a recently retired pro player whose full time job was just focusing on the rugby teams there
Think Mike Brown and Dylan Hartley both went to private schools after retiring

 

[Brown Bottle]

...

Think Mike Brown and Dylan Hartley both went to private schools after retiring

Yeah, but Dylan went to do his GCSEs.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

People attending rugby union games in the UK don't seem particularly working class or non-'doing fine' compared to soccer which has no shortage of wealthy people going at this point.

I mean what’s your sample size for that statement. How many of the clubs we’ve got have you been to, professional, championship and amateur because the answer is going to be different for each and then also different compared to the area.

Comparing Quins and Gloucester for example would be a stupid comparison as you’ll get local people and the wealth of areas change and what not.

Personally having played rugby in the midland an area for around 20 odd years I’ve seen all different classes of people depending on the clubs. Then at premiership clubs I see a mix but at England games it’s a lot more corporate which appear as upper/moddle class but maybe they just got their Barbour jacket from Vinted for the day so you can’t really judge class by looking at someone.

 

[Vaquer]

I mean what’s your sample size for that statement. How many of the clubs we’ve got have you been to, professional, championship and amateur because the answer is going to be different for each and then also different compared to the area.

Comparing Quins and Gloucester for example would be a stupid comparison as you’ll get local people and the wealth of areas change and what not.

Personally having played rugby in the midland an area for around 20 odd years I’ve seen all different classes of people depending on the clubs. Then at premiership clubs I see a mix but at England games it’s a lot more corporate which appear as upper/moddle class but maybe they just got their Barbour jacket from Vinted for the day so you can’t really judge class by looking at someone.

Going by crowds I see on TV at professional games