Stoke Old Boy's were formed in 1921. It has had a long and successful history.
Below is an extract from the Stoke School Magazine from Midsummer 1932 giving an insight into the history of this great Club:
THE "SCS" MAGAZINE
SCHOOL RUGBY FOOTBALL
A RETROSPECT
In this, the first issue of our School Magazine, it is perhaps appropriate to recall to mind the notable achievements of the past thirteen years. No other primary school in the whole country can look back upon such a glorious record.
School sports were suspended during the War, and this article only deals with the period commencing September 1919, when Rugby Football was recommenced at Stoke. Our first Captain was Walter Duckham, now cricket professional for Formby, and in that first fifteen were AlbertGascoigne, the Warwickshire scrum half, and Frank Turner, who has always been such a staunch stalwart of the Stoke XV.
In the following season 1920-21 we started our long list of shield successes in that never to be forgotten final against Broad St when Billy Hall scored a try in the last minute and Wilf Pearce converted from the touchline with an amazing kick, the ball hitting an upright, falling onto the cross-bar and over on the right side for us to win by a goal to a try. That season also saw the resumption of the International Match, England v Wales, and Hall and Pearce were the first Stoke boys to gain the height of every schoolboy’s ambition, an international cap.
Our next season’s XV 1921-22 was the best we ever had, containing as it did, no less than five Schoolboy Internationals, in Alf Wyman, Tom Mayo, and Billy Hall who were capped that season, and Sid Baker and Arthur Rowley who gained their caps in the next year. Also in this team of all the talents were Cliff Wilkinson, who played in the East v West match, and Arthur Gilbert. A glance at the Old Boy’s Rugger notes will show what these seven stalwarts have achieved in senior Rugby.
Space forbids mention of every season’s triumphs, so a summary of our principal successes must suffice:
The shield was won in 1921 W Pearce Capt, 1922 T Mayo, 1923 A Rowley, 1924 A Spicer, 1925 F Prescott, 1927 W H Cutts, and 1932 C Barnett.
Schoolboy Internationals:
1921 – W Pearce, W H Hall
1922 – W H Hall, T F Mayo, A A Wyman
1923 – S T Blake, A J Rowley
1925 – T H Barton, R Cooper, This was the only English victory since the war.
1927 – W H Cutts, L Harper
1928 – W H G Well
1930 – A B Collyer, N A Shortland
1931 – J Proctor, F Blake
1932 – C Barnett
Last season’s XV deserves a special word of congratulations on bringing back the Shield in spite of two serious handicaps. The loss of Harold Jaynes, who lost a leg through rheumatism, and of Billy Nicol who went to the J.T. School, deprived the team of two of their best backs, but by sheer determination and enthusiasm the rest of the team brought the season to a triumphant conclusion, by defeating our old rivals Broad St. in the semi-final and Frederick Bird in the final, after a replay. Frederick Bird were not only a much heavier side, but were faster than Stoke, so that last season’s side do deserve an extra pat on the back.
Old Boy’s Rugger
The Stoke Old Boys’ Club was founded in 1921 and for the last seven or eight seasons has run three XVs. It has enabled our scholars to continue playing the grand old game without a break on leaving school. Here again space only allows a summary of the Club’s cup successes:
Junior Cup (Under 16 ½)
Minor Cup (Under 21) The last 6 seasons in succession
Ralli Cup 1932
Seven Aside Cup 1932 This is the first time the Old Boys have entered for the last two-named trophies. Last seasons full results:
Played Won Lost Drawn Pts For Pts Against
1st XV 30 27 1 2 705 112
2nd XV 29 23 5 1 396 133
3rd XV 24 21 3 - 572 151
The 1st XV accepted an invitation to play a XV selected by T Coulson, the Coventry Captain and International, in aid of the Hospital, and emerged victorious from a very keen game.
The strength of the Old Boys’ Club is all the more creditable when it is remembered what a great contribution it has made to 1st Class Football. The following honours have been gained by ex-members:
International Cap (England v South Africa)
A J Rowley
International Trial
T P Mayo
Warwickshire County Caps
A Gascoigne, T P Mayo, A J Rowley, S Blake, A A Wyman, C Wilkinson, S H Bonham.
In addition to the above the following have also played more or less regularly for the Coventry First XV:
A Gilbert, F Prescott, J Mayo, R Hall and also L Gilchrist who had the misfortune to break a leg against Cardiff in the beginning of what promised to be a most brilliant career.
What a wonderful record for a club, the oldest members of which were at school twelve years ago!
In our next issue we hope to give a review of past Cricket, Swimming and Athletic seasons.
M.G.T
RFU.com 
Club Search
