Celebrating 40 years of a soccer renaissance

It will surprise many OBs to discover that the very first reported team match (1867) was a game against the Town played under association football rules. Perhaps it will be even more of a surprise to learn that two OBs become association football internationals long before all but one of our OB international rugby legends. 

Joining the school from Friars Bangor, midfielder Wilfred Pierce Owen (CCB 1879-1880) made 12 appearances for the Wales XI (1880-1884). Similarly from Bangor, half back Humphrey Jones (CCB 1879-1882) made 14 appearances (1885-1891). He captained the Welsh side in 13 of those matches - and also played a game (1891) for Everton FC.  

By the time of Jones’ first appearance for the Wales XI, the oval ball was the one most commonly seen on the hallowed pitches of Christ College. But it was not the last connection to the Wales XI: W Alan Durban, who coached cricket and tennis at the school in 1964, made 27 appearances for the Wales XI (1966-1972). He also happens to be the only Welsh Football International (ever) to have competed in the All England tennis championships at Wimbledon.  

It took another century for a long-awaited renaissance of association football at Christ College. It was not an easy path. There was a sporting hierarchy to contend with and an entrenched belief that the only XIs that would ever be seen on the school grounds would be Cricket and Hockey. 

In 1985 Paul W Smith (Staff 1982-2014) led the way in energetically developing a Soccer XI. As a result of his not insignificant efforts in championing the cause, fixtures gradually began to appear in the Calendar. 

Supported by Tony Reeves (Staff 1984-2020) and John Layden (Staff 1984-87), and inspired by the enthusiasm of boys who were otherwise designated to afternoons of what was then known as ‘Second Game’, PWS persevered. Looking back on those early days, he says he was especially inspired by two particular pupils: 

Enthusiasts who need the biggest shout out are Steve Morris (Orchard 1977-84) and  David Dowling (SHR 1982-87), who pressed the case for the game. It's true to say that soccer at Christ College wouldn’t have happened without them. 

Even in the 1980s rugby was still referred to as “rugby football” or just “football” in schools like Christ College. “Soccer” became the nomenclature for the determined XI side and the first matches were played against King Henry VIII Abergavenny and Downside in Lent 1985.

The school provided the footballs but the goalposts, the nets and the kit were generously sponsored by Messrs Smith, Layden and Reeves. The green and nearly gold shirts worn by the XI were supplied off the peg. They were first team colours, but there remained the small matter of the Newcastle United logos that revealed their origins as the Magpies’ away strip - and the reason for the knock down price.

A closer look at the 1988/89  photo (above) reveals the shirts, and the beginnings of future records. The Captain of the 1989 Soccer XI, J G Lowry (SHB 1981-89), scored 21 goals in 11 games over two seasons. As well as holding the record for the highest points tally in the history of rugby at Christ College, we believe he also remains the school's highest goal scorer in soccer. Tell Huw if you know differently!

Soccer took its place in the Calendar and the popularity of the game increased, not least because of the enthusiasm of the managers (now led by AR following the transfer of PWS to cross-country) and the players. 'The Breconian’ of 1992 records a number of "firsts" for soccer at the school: it was the first season in which there was a Second XI (managed by renowned Wolves suppporter, Richard C Slaney - Staff 1987-2010) and in which "block" fixtures were played against other schools.

At the time, “Reevsie” reported

More fixtures were arranged (16) played (13) and cancelled (3) than in any previous season. Suffice to say, the (big) round ball game is firmly established at CCB and some 75 boys were involved in Senior and Junior Soccer (not including indoor 5-A-Side) during the 1992 Lent Term.

In 1994 the first award of Soccer XI Colours was made. The recipient was Carwyn Williams who had captained the side for two seasons and whose free kick technique was said to be the stuff of legend. The award was also the signal that the game had begun to secure its status in the school, thanks to the energy and enthusiasm of the players, the determination of the coaches and the loyalty of the game’s supporters. 

To celebrate those early years and their legacy, we’ve posted a Gallery of the Soccer XI photos we hold in the Archive. We hope you enjoy them!

Soccer XI v OB XI Januay 2025

With forty years of soccer to look back on, we are sure there are more photos out there. If you have one you’d be willing to donate or loan for scanning, or if you can supply names to any of the team photos posted, let Felicity know.  

Feel free to Comment if the photos spark any memories. If you have a longer story to tell or some stats. to share, contact Huw or Felicity. We really would love to hear from you. 

Tempest photographs (from 2002 onwards in the Gallery) are the copyright of Tempest Photography and are reproduced as low resolution images with their kind permission.

You can order your own copies by contacting Tempest Group photography directly.