Tales from Twickenham Stadium: Harlequins 14-10 Richmond, 2nd October 1909
In just a few short days, Twickenham Stadium will be rebranded for the first time in its 115-year history.
The 10-year deal, worth a reported £100 million, will see the second-largest stadium in the United Kingdom renamed as the Allianz Stadium from the start of September.
Now with an official capacity of 82,000, the stadium is a far cry from the ground that greeted the meagre 2,000 fans that attended its opening match in 1909.
Contesting the very first international rugby match between Scotland and England in 1871, the national side hopped between various grounds, the Rugby Football Union agreeing in 1907 that a national stadium should be established.
Eventually settling on a site in Twickenham, known colloquially as Billy Williams’ Cabbage Patch, after the RFU committee member sent to find a location.
2 October 1909. The first rugby football match was played at Twickenham, between Harlequins and Richmond. pic.twitter.com/LffC3rLN2h
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 2, 2020
Spanning 10.5 acres, the ground was purchased for £5,572 12s and 6d, with two covered stands for 3,000 spectators each, and a southern terrace that could house a further 7,000 fans.
Originally founded as Hampstead Football Club in 1867, Harlequins spent their early years playing at a number of London venues, before reaching an agreement with the RFU to play at their new national stadium.
During a time when England would play only a small handful of international fixtures each year, a permanent tenant was vital to the stadium’s early success.
Harlequins vs Richmond, 2nd October 1909
#OnThisDay in 1909 @Twickenhamstad hosted its first ever rugby match, with Harlequins beating Richmond 14-10. pic.twitter.com/NS36HDSAl1
— World Rugby Museum (@wrugbymuseum) October 2, 2019
Hosting local rivals Richmond, Harlequins held the first-ever match at the new Twickenham Stadium in front of 2,000 fans – a far cry from today’s 82,000 capacity.
Battling against a week of torrential rain and overgrown grass, Harlequins ran out 14-10 victors to christen Twickenham Stadium.
Among the Quins squad were two legendary figures that still hold immense poignance in Twickenham today, Adrian Stoop and Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Poulton Palmer.
England’s captain at the outbreak of the First World War, Poulton Palmer was killed in the Belgium in 1915, supposedly uttering his last words: “I shall never play at Twickenham again.”
In his honour, a soil transfer was conducted by another former England captain, Lewis Moody, between his grave and Twickenham Stadium and buried beneath a pitch-side memorial.
Credited for revolutionising backs play in rugby, Stoop has become a well-known name in English rugby, with Harlequins naming their stadium after him, with the club still known for their flashy paced attack.
The legacy of 1909
Three months later, on 15th January 19010, Twickenham Stadium would host its first international rugby match.
England beat Wales 11-6 on their way to claiming their fourth ever Five Nations title, also beating Scotland and France, as well as drawing 0-0 to Ireland.
Defeating Wales 30-17 in the 2010 Six Nations, England wore one-off retro jerseys to celebrate a centenary of international rugby at Twickenham.
While no centenary fixture was played between Harlequins and Richmond, the sides faced off in 1959 for the stadium’s Golden Jubilee, with the Twickenham-based side still playing at the ground annually.
Historically a participant in the London Double Header, the fixtures would open mark the start of the Premiership Season between 2004 and 2017.
Since 2008, Harlequins have hosted The Big Game as an annual fixture between Christmas and New Year, featuring the club’s women’s side since 2019.
Keen to rebuild their finances following the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Harlequins have also held the now-annual Big Summer Kick Off at the ground, affirming Twickenham Stadium’s status as the club’s second home.
