On 19 December 1857, as the Christmas holidays were approaching, a group of young Liverpool lads were bored and at a loose end. One of them, Frank Albert Mather, a Merchant’s son living at Bootle Hall, had an idea. A scholar at Rugby School, he wrote to one of his school friends, Richard Sykes, who was the school captain, and invited him to bring his friends to play against a team from Liverpool.

Sykes, who lived in Manchester, accepted and the game took place on 19 December on the Liverpool Cricket Ground, then located at Spekefields in Wavertree. It is reported that around 50 players took part in a game played as “Rugby versus the World” and there and then the Liverpool (Rugby) Football Club was formed.

In 1986 the Liverpool club merged with St Helens Rugby Football Club and now play at Moss Lane, St Helens. The club is the first club in the world to reach the 150 year landmark.

On 19 December 2007, a group of young Merseyside boys and girls will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the formation of the club by re-enacting that first match. Over 40 youngsters from 24 local Primary and High Schools (all of whom take part in the current LSH Junior and mini rugby development programme) will play a game under 1857 rules (20 a side) wearing replica 1857 clothing, kindly produced and provided by former Liverpool player and England International, Fran Cotton.

Additional details

*  Kick off 2pm on Wednesday 19 December at Moss Lane, Windle, St Helens

 (for directions see website  - Find the Club)

*  Former Liverpool and England International Kevin Simms (15 caps, 1985-88) will kick off the match.

*  For a more detailed history and information see website – click on The Club and go to Archive.

Further information and contact
All media are welcome to attend. A further more detailed press release will be issued on Wednesday19 December.

Further information is available from John Williams, LSH Press Officer, on 07767441978 or johnawilliams@blueyonder.co.uk