At 4.30pm on October 23, 1880, Leicester kicked off the opening chapter in the club’s history with a match against Moseley at the Belgrave Cricket & Cycle Ground on Belgrave Road.
With Leicester in an all-black kit, the teams played out a 0-0 draw, although in some sources Moseley claimed the victory having scored a disputed try. This was in the days before referees when games were officiated by two non-playing umpires, one from each team, hence the difference of opinion.
On the 130th anniversary of that historic occasion, Tigers secured a 21-15 victory over Welford Road visitors Bath with Toby Flood kicking all of the points.
The Leicester team on October 23, 1880 comprised two full-backs, two three-quarters, two half-backs and nine forwards, and lined up as follows: William Wheeler, Herbert Foster; Arthur Porter, Tom Hart; Alexander Brice (capt), Lawrence Young; Charles Worthington, F Sheen, Henry Biggs, A Turner, Jack Lovett, Willie Porter, Thomas Pickering, Arthur Burford, J Gilbert.
With thanks to club statistician Stuart Farmer.
