An Introduction to Vintage Rugby Team T-Shirt
The Vintage Rugby Team T-Shirt Invitation XV is a heritage style garment. It is inspired by the Invitation Rugby teams of the past.
Invitation XV rugby was conceived in 1890 at the Oyster bar in Bradford. During a rugby tour of Yorkshire and the midlands by the Southern Nomads team. The organiser William Percy Carpmael who was a Cambridge & Blackheath formed the Barbarian club. The team also included the likes of Sammy Woods, Emile de Lissa, Jock Wemyss, Percy Coles and WJ Carey.
WJ Carey a rugby union forward who played club rugby for Oxford University and Blackheath wrote the Barbarians their motto:-
“Rugby football is a game for gentlemen in all classes, but never for a bad sportsman in any class” –
This ensured that the Barbarians did not discriminate upon class, race, creed or color. And the only qualification to be a member was that you were a good rugby player and a good sportsman.
Carey was a keen all round sportsman. He won four sporting ‘Blues’ in The Varsity Match between 1894–1897 while at Cambridge as a student. Although he never played international rugby for England. He represented the British Isles on their tour of South Africa in 1896. Carey scored a try in the opening Test at Port Elizabeth and played in all four Tests against the Springboks.
The original shirt that the Barbarian team wore had a skull and crossbones along with the monogram B.F.C. over the left breast.
Manufacturing
This Ellis Rugby Vintage Rugby Team T-Shirt Invitation XV is manufactured from Satin touch 100% Cotton and features the Skull & Crossbones as a smart appliqué on the front chest. Ellis Rugby branding also features on the design on the arm. In addition herringbone detail on side vents and velvet tape on neck opening.
