William Webb Ellis statue outside Rugby School, Warwickshire

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Bronze statue of William Webb Ellis (1806 - 1872) in front of Rugby School Warwickshire. He is reputed to have "invented" the game of rugby football when, at the of 16 in 1823, whilst playing football (soccer) with fellow pupils, he picked up the ball (in defiance of the rules) and ran with it - placing it in the goal. In fact, some authorities have it that he might actually have been demonstrating the ancient Irish game of 'caid', which was similar to rugby, and may have been introduced to William by his father who had been stationed as a soldier in Ireland. Sculptor: Graham Ibbeson

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Size: 3500px × 5265px
Location: Rugby Warwickshire england
Photo credit: © Peter K.Lloyd / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: boy, innovator, pgs, pioneer, rugby, running, school, statue, warwickshire, youth