Percy John Down (14 October 1883 – 24 June 1954)
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rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the Comparison of rugby league and rugby union, two codes of ru ...

player, best known as a commanding forward in the

Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city i ...

pack in the first decade of the twentieth century. He spent the major part of his playing career at the club, and in later life became club chairman.

Rugby career

Down joined

at the beginning of the 1904/05 season from the Redland club, and made his full début against

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in December 1905. Down rapidly established himself in the first team and gained himself a reputation as a tough and committed player. His performances were widely praised and meant he soon earned selection for

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. His efforts were also recognised at international level: Down was chosen as a member of the 1908 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia, played three matches in New Zealand but fell overboard as the boat left for Australia. He was rescued by New Zealand players George A. Gillett and Arthur 'Bolla' Francis, who kept him afloat until a rope was lowered from the ship upon which Down was about to sail. In addition Down played once for England's national side, against Australia in 1909; the first meeting between the two nations. Although England lost 9 – 3, Down played with distinction but was never capped again. Four days later Down, then Bristol's club captain, led a combined Bristol and

Clifton R.F.C. Clifton Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club founded in Clifton, Bristol. Over the years the club's home games have been played in a variety of locations in northern Bristol, though never in Clifton itself; since 1976 they h ...

XV against the Australian national side at Bristol's County Ground. The tourists won 11 – 3 in one of the finest games of the tour. His last game for Bristol was against

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in January 1910. In all Down had played 117 games for Bristol, scoring 12 tries, 36 points. After

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

Down was elected Bristol's vice-chairman for the 1945/46 season, but he took over the running of the club when Chairman W.J. Houlden died in office. He served as chairman until 1953/54 but died suddenly during the close season, shortly after being awarded life membership. A memorial fund was established in his name which provided for repairs and developments to the hall under the stand. Down's son-in-law, Denzil Golledge, was Bristol captain for the 1950/51 season.

References

Bristol Rugby profile

Biography

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Down, Percy 1883 births 1954 deaths Bristol Bears players British & Irish Lions rugby union players from England England international rugby union players English rugby union players Rugby union locks Rugby union players from Clifton, Bristol