 According to N. L. Jackson, while de Winton was studying at Cambridge in 1846, "two old Shrewsbury boys, Messrs. H. de Winton and J. C. Thring, persuaded some Old Etonians to join them and formed a [football] club.Matches were few and far between, but some were played on Parker's Piece.Unfortunately, the game was not popular at the 'Varsity then, and the club did not last long".