History of Rugby, Warwickshire
Rugby School, one of England's oldest and most prestigious public schools, rose to national prominence in the 1820s through the teaching methods pioneered by its headmaster, Dr Thomas Arnold, which contributed to a radical change in Public School education in England. Most of the present school buildings, near the centre of the town, date from this period. In 1823 William Webb Ellis is said to have invented Rugby Football when he picked up the ball and ran with it.
Newport (Salop) Rugby Union Football Club
Rugby was first played in Newport in 1871 when the new Headmaster of Adams' Grammar School, Tom Collins, introduced the game to the boys. In the same year a game was played between the school and a Town team on the Chetwynd End ground. In 1876 a Town team played Stafford and lost. It seems that, after 1882 when, again, there was a local newspaper report of a match between Newport and Stafford at both Town and School levels, there is no further record of rugby being played in the Newport District, apart from at school level, until 1932, when a club was formed at Shifnal. Many of the players were from Newport, being the School Masters and boys from Adams' Grammar. One of those stars of the early days was Ron Anderson, a master at Adams', who later played for and served Newport RUFC for many years, including 18 years as President. As with a large number of Clubs, the Second World War curtailed activities. However, at the cessation of hostilities the Club was never reformed.