Fagan mentions the [1823] impact of William Webb Ellis on the development of rugby - yet elsewhere he rejects the Webb Ellis story as a myth, preferring to nominate fellow rugby student Jem Mackie's actions in the late 1830s (Mackie was expelled from the school, so not considered a good role model)
December 17, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Fagan mentions the [1823] impact of William Webb Ellis on the development of rugby - yet elsewhere he rejects the Webb Ellis story as a myth, preferring to nominate fellow rugby student Jem Mackie's actions in the late 1830s (Mackie was expelled from the school, so not considered a good role model)
Australian rugby historian Sean Fagan's contribution to the story of the development of the combination/passing game in rugby (unfortunately, he doesn't acknowledge the influence of the Scottish football players in England)
saintsandheathens.com/2013/01/10/w...
saintsandheathens.com/2013/01/10/w...
AUSTRALIA’S WEBB ELLIS
Schoolboy William Webb Ellis first ran with the football, but it took a young Aussie from the The King’s School in Parramatta to show the Rugby world how to make spectacular use of it. More t…
saintsandheathens.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Australian rugby historian Sean Fagan's contribution to the story of the development of the combination/passing game in rugby (unfortunately, he doesn't acknowledge the influence of the Scottish football players in England)
saintsandheathens.com/2013/01/10/w...
saintsandheathens.com/2013/01/10/w...
@groktr.bsky.social has Trump conceded that he did not win the 2020 election?
December 6, 2025 at 4:55 AM
@groktr.bsky.social has Trump conceded that he did not win the 2020 election?
@pollytics.bsky.social - looks wonderful - I'll be right around!
November 21, 2025 at 9:32 AM
@pollytics.bsky.social - looks wonderful - I'll be right around!
Stephen Alonzo ('Sam') Spragg died from appendicitis in February 1904
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
Death of
Sportsmen in Sydney received a sad shock on Friday last when the news came brought from Brisbane of the death of S. A., Spragg, the well-known ...
trove.nla.gov.au
October 28, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Stephen Alonzo ('Sam') Spragg died from appendicitis in February 1904
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
30,000 spectators watched Australia defeat Great Britain 13-3 in the rugby First Test, played at the SCG in June 1899
Match report and photos:
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
Match report and photos:
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL—ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA. - The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) - 1 Jul 1899
THE first match ever played between teams representing England and Australia at football took place on the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday afternoon under most favourable conditions as ...
trove.nla.gov.au
October 28, 2025 at 4:40 AM
30,000 spectators watched Australia defeat Great Britain 13-3 in the rugby First Test, played at the SCG in June 1899
Match report and photos:
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
Match report and photos:
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
Hi @gedboy58.bsky.social - welcome home to Glasgow!
Out of curiosity - how did QPFC practice at night back then (especially given the short days of the Scottish winter) - do you know what sort of lighting they employed?
Out of curiosity - how did QPFC practice at night back then (especially given the short days of the Scottish winter) - do you know what sort of lighting they employed?
October 19, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Hi @gedboy58.bsky.social - welcome home to Glasgow!
Out of curiosity - how did QPFC practice at night back then (especially given the short days of the Scottish winter) - do you know what sort of lighting they employed?
Out of curiosity - how did QPFC practice at night back then (especially given the short days of the Scottish winter) - do you know what sort of lighting they employed?
@gedboy58.bsky.social - Sean Fagan discusses early football in Melbourne
saintsandheathens.com/2013/03/21/m...
saintsandheathens.com/2013/03/21/m...
WERE THE SOUTH YARRAS OF 1858 A RUGBY CLUB?
Is Melbourne FC our nation’s first football club? Or should the honour reside instead with the South Yarra club of 1858? And what football code did they play? In traditional histories recount…
saintsandheathens.com
October 3, 2025 at 5:20 AM
@gedboy58.bsky.social - Sean Fagan discusses early football in Melbourne
saintsandheathens.com/2013/03/21/m...
saintsandheathens.com/2013/03/21/m...
Here is a collection of Sean Fagan's excellent articles - his focus is rugby union, but he also touches on other codes
saintsandheathens.com/author/jotti...
saintsandheathens.com/author/jotti...
Sean Fagan
Sean Fagan
saintsandheathens.com
October 3, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Here is a collection of Sean Fagan's excellent articles - his focus is rugby union, but he also touches on other codes
saintsandheathens.com/author/jotti...
saintsandheathens.com/author/jotti...
As an aside - a slightly related story by prominent Australian rugby football historian, Sean Fagan
saintsandheathens.com/2013/03/03/a...
saintsandheathens.com/2013/03/03/a...
AFL’S FIRST GAME WAS RUGBY
Australian rules football lore tells us the code began with the celebrated school match of 7th August 1858 between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar. What the ‘Australian rulers’ don…
saintsandheathens.com
October 3, 2025 at 3:06 AM
As an aside - a slightly related story by prominent Australian rugby football historian, Sean Fagan
saintsandheathens.com/2013/03/03/a...
saintsandheathens.com/2013/03/03/a...
The first train from Ipswich to Brisbane, crossing the bridge across the river, opened in 1876.
Previously, transport between Brisbane and Ipswich was via a lengthy boat trip
Previously, transport between Brisbane and Ipswich was via a lengthy boat trip
October 1, 2025 at 5:38 AM
The first train from Ipswich to Brisbane, crossing the bridge across the river, opened in 1876.
Previously, transport between Brisbane and Ipswich was via a lengthy boat trip
Previously, transport between Brisbane and Ipswich was via a lengthy boat trip
I note from the 1875 article that the Brisbane FC travelled to Woogaroo by rail - this rail line had opened only two months before! (although they had to cross the river by ferry)
The advent of rail transport expedited the growth of football competitions in the Brisbane-Ipswich region in the 1880s
The advent of rail transport expedited the growth of football competitions in the Brisbane-Ipswich region in the 1880s
October 1, 2025 at 4:20 AM
I note from the 1875 article that the Brisbane FC travelled to Woogaroo by rail - this rail line had opened only two months before! (although they had to cross the river by ferry)
The advent of rail transport expedited the growth of football competitions in the Brisbane-Ipswich region in the 1880s
The advent of rail transport expedited the growth of football competitions in the Brisbane-Ipswich region in the 1880s
Comparing the 1863 London FA laws with 1866 Victorian rules shows more similarities than differences
So much for the notion that the Melbourne rules were developed from scratch ("a game of our own!")
Reminds me of Sean Fagan's assertion that first Melbourne game in 1858 was probably actually rugby
So much for the notion that the Melbourne rules were developed from scratch ("a game of our own!")
Reminds me of Sean Fagan's assertion that first Melbourne game in 1858 was probably actually rugby
October 1, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Comparing the 1863 London FA laws with 1866 Victorian rules shows more similarities than differences
So much for the notion that the Melbourne rules were developed from scratch ("a game of our own!")
Reminds me of Sean Fagan's assertion that first Melbourne game in 1858 was probably actually rugby
So much for the notion that the Melbourne rules were developed from scratch ("a game of our own!")
Reminds me of Sean Fagan's assertion that first Melbourne game in 1858 was probably actually rugby
1863 London FA laws:
9. No player shall carry the ball.
1866 Victorian rules:
8. The ball may be taken in hand at any time, but not carried further than is necessary for a kick; and no player shall run with the ball unless he strikes it against the ground in every five or six yards.
9. No player shall carry the ball.
1866 Victorian rules:
8. The ball may be taken in hand at any time, but not carried further than is necessary for a kick; and no player shall run with the ball unless he strikes it against the ground in every five or six yards.
October 1, 2025 at 3:53 AM
1863 London FA laws:
9. No player shall carry the ball.
1866 Victorian rules:
8. The ball may be taken in hand at any time, but not carried further than is necessary for a kick; and no player shall run with the ball unless he strikes it against the ground in every five or six yards.
9. No player shall carry the ball.
1866 Victorian rules:
8. The ball may be taken in hand at any time, but not carried further than is necessary for a kick; and no player shall run with the ball unless he strikes it against the ground in every five or six yards.
Woogaroo vs Brisbane FC - August 1875
"One rule provided that the ball should not be handled nor carried, and this condition gave a great advantage to the "bedlam" folks, as the active little Brisbane fellows thereby lost half the benefit of their "lissomeness"
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
"One rule provided that the ball should not be handled nor carried, and this condition gave a great advantage to the "bedlam" folks, as the active little Brisbane fellows thereby lost half the benefit of their "lissomeness"
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
Football. - FOURTH MATCH OF THE SEASON. BRISBANE CLUB V. WOOGAROO ASYLUM. - The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933) - 9 Aug 1875
IN accordance with a challenge issued by the Woogaroo players, eighteen "braves" of the Brisbane Football Club donned their war paint, left Brisbane per rail at 12.5 on Saturday last, ...
trove.nla.gov.au
October 1, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Woogaroo vs Brisbane FC - August 1875
"One rule provided that the ball should not be handled nor carried, and this condition gave a great advantage to the "bedlam" folks, as the active little Brisbane fellows thereby lost half the benefit of their "lissomeness"
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
"One rule provided that the ball should not be handled nor carried, and this condition gave a great advantage to the "bedlam" folks, as the active little Brisbane fellows thereby lost half the benefit of their "lissomeness"
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
2 June 1866
"A MEETING of the members of the newly-formed [Brisbane] Foot-ball Club was held at the Metropolitan Hotel on Thursday evening"
It was resolved to adopt "the laws of football passed at a meeting of delegates of clubs held in Melbourne on the 8th ult."
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
"A MEETING of the members of the newly-formed [Brisbane] Foot-ball Club was held at the Metropolitan Hotel on Thursday evening"
It was resolved to adopt "the laws of football passed at a meeting of delegates of clubs held in Melbourne on the 8th ult."
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
FOOT-BALL CLUB. - The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939) - 2 Jun 1866
A MEETING of the members of the newlyformed Foot-ball Club was held at the Metropolitan Hotel on Thursday evening. About 20 members were present; and the first business ...
trove.nla.gov.au
October 1, 2025 at 2:10 AM
2 June 1866
"A MEETING of the members of the newly-formed [Brisbane] Foot-ball Club was held at the Metropolitan Hotel on Thursday evening"
It was resolved to adopt "the laws of football passed at a meeting of delegates of clubs held in Melbourne on the 8th ult."
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
"A MEETING of the members of the newly-formed [Brisbane] Foot-ball Club was held at the Metropolitan Hotel on Thursday evening"
It was resolved to adopt "the laws of football passed at a meeting of delegates of clubs held in Melbourne on the 8th ult."
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
I have reservations about 'The Footballer' magazine's assertion that many of these 1875 games were played according to the rugby rules
Brisbane FC clearly adopted the 'Victorian rules' at its formation - I have not found any local reports that they diverged from this, until the 1876 season
Brisbane FC clearly adopted the 'Victorian rules' at its formation - I have not found any local reports that they diverged from this, until the 1876 season
October 1, 2025 at 1:47 AM
I have reservations about 'The Footballer' magazine's assertion that many of these 1875 games were played according to the rugby rules
Brisbane FC clearly adopted the 'Victorian rules' at its formation - I have not found any local reports that they diverged from this, until the 1876 season
Brisbane FC clearly adopted the 'Victorian rules' at its formation - I have not found any local reports that they diverged from this, until the 1876 season
"agreed to play rugby against two newly *formed* clubs
October 1, 2025 at 1:42 AM
"agreed to play rugby against two newly *formed* clubs
Dr John Jaap was indeed unwell - he died in early 1877 - not yet 40 years old
October 1, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Dr John Jaap was indeed unwell - he died in early 1877 - not yet 40 years old
Hi Ian - as you know, the Brisbane FC formed in 1866 and resolved to play according to the Victorian rules
I have not found any reports of them diverging from this until early 1876, when they reluctantly agreed to play rugby against two newly former clubs (Bonnet Rouge and Rangers)
I have not found any reports of them diverging from this until early 1876, when they reluctantly agreed to play rugby against two newly former clubs (Bonnet Rouge and Rangers)
October 1, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Hi Ian - as you know, the Brisbane FC formed in 1866 and resolved to play according to the Victorian rules
I have not found any reports of them diverging from this until early 1876, when they reluctantly agreed to play rugby against two newly former clubs (Bonnet Rouge and Rangers)
I have not found any reports of them diverging from this until early 1876, when they reluctantly agreed to play rugby against two newly former clubs (Bonnet Rouge and Rangers)
Woogaroo Asylum vs Brisbane FC - July 1873 [sic] - the football rules of the day were not identified, but probably 'Victorian rules'
I recall that @iansyson.bsky.social discovered that Woogaroo superintendent Dr Jaap was a Glaswegian?
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
I recall that @iansyson.bsky.social discovered that Woogaroo superintendent Dr Jaap was a Glaswegian?
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
FOOTBALL MATCH AT WOOGAROO. - The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947) - 21 Jul 1873
ON Saturday afternoon fifteen gentlemen, members of the Brisbane Football Club, proceeded to the Lunatic Asylum in answer to a challenge to play a game against the warders ...
trove.nla.gov.au
September 30, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Woogaroo Asylum vs Brisbane FC - July 1873 [sic] - the football rules of the day were not identified, but probably 'Victorian rules'
I recall that @iansyson.bsky.social discovered that Woogaroo superintendent Dr Jaap was a Glaswegian?
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...
I recall that @iansyson.bsky.social discovered that Woogaroo superintendent Dr Jaap was a Glaswegian?
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/ar...