William Percy Carpmael

William Percy Carpmael (born 1853 - died 27 December 1936) was the founder and first president of the rugby union Barbarian Football Club. Carpmael was born the eldest of eight in Briscobel, Stretham in England.Starmer-Smith (1977), pg 13.]

Education and early career

He was educated at Christ's College, Finchley where he was a border, and later at Jesus College, Cambridge. On completing university he joined his fathers firm of patent agents; 'Carpmael and Ransford' of Chancery Lane. He would eventually become senior partner of the firm.

While at Cambridge, Carpmael, or 'Tottie' as he was known, was a keen sportsman. He played cricket, rowed for the Lent Boat and was a keen steeplechaser; but it was rugby that he enjoyed playing the most. In 1885 he won his Blue in a varsity match as a forward. Due to Carpmael's close ties with his university the Barbarains, as a club, were also close to Cambridge and Blackheath.

The Barbarians

In the early 1880s there were very few touring teams; clubs would travel to matches, but rarely would they undertake a schedule of matches that stretched over days. In December 1884, Jesus College undertook such a 'tour', playing four northern clubs over five days in Yorkshire. Carpmael was part of the touring team, and believed it to be a very successful venture.Starmer-Smith (1977), pg 14.]

In 1889 Carpmael himself organised a tour with Clapham Rovers, in which the team faced five or six clubs in the Midlands and Yorkshire areas.Starmer-Smith (1977), pg 15.] The next year saw a tour with the Southern Nomads and later the first Barbarian tour. On 8 April, 1890 at Leuchter's Restaurant in Darley Street, Bradford; Carpmael took his Southern Nomads for a meal to put forward his idea of a touring rugby club. Later that night, at the Alexandra Hotel, the 'high-spirited' team agreed to Carpmael's plan and the Barbarians were formed.Starmer-Smith (1977), pg 20.] His idea was to create a touring team that would play the provinces at holiday times and not only contain Englishmen but players from Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Carpmael took the Barbarians very seriously and it was his dedication over the early years that created the foundations for a club that would last the coming decades. Not only would he organise and promote, but he also administered the club, writing up the club records on manuscript every season.Starmer-Smith (1977), pg 16.] He was the club's first Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, running the club from his father's business at 24 Southampton Buildings in Chancery Lane. In 1902 he resigned his role as secretary, but in 1913 he took up the role of club President.

Carpmael not only ran the Barbarians but also played for the club. He represented the Ba-Baa's on twenty occasions usually as a forward.

Later life and death

Carpmael's later years were plagued by ill health, and in 1925 he retired from work, suffering from chronic arthritis. In 1927 he emigrated to Menton in the South of France for health reasons. He retained in close touch with his Barbarians, sending a telegram to their headquarters, at the Esplanade in Penarth, every Easter. On 27 December 1936, Carpmael died at his home in France after a long struggle with cancer. He was laid to rest on the hill above Menton and the Barbarian match played against Leicester on the 28 December saw both teams wearing black armbands in his honor.Starmer-Smith (1977), pg 18.]

External links

* cite news
author=
title=History of the Barbarians
date=2003-05-21
work=BBC News
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/2949399.stm
accessdate=2008-08-09 BBC
* cite news
author=
title=History of the Barbarians
date=2007-12-05
work=BBC News
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/7109002.stm
accessdate=2008-08-09 BBC
* [http://www.news24.com/News24/Columnists/Guest_Column/0,,2-1630-1647_2228229,00.html BaaBaa fixture must stay: Columnists: Guest Column: News24 ] at www.news24.com News24.com
* [http://www.sportsillustrated.co.za/static/feature/story.php?* Sports Illustrated - Know It All ] at www.sportsillustrated.co.za Sports Illustrated

Bibliography

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References