Lausanne was a nineteenth century football club that fielded teams playing both the association football and rugby football codes. It is notable for being one of the twenty-one founding members of the Rugby Football Union.

[edit] History

Lausanne was established in 1867 with about sixty members. It fielded two teams of twenty aside for rugby matches but also played by Association rules. The derivation of the club's name appears to have been lost in the midsts of time. The teams colours were violet with an amber stripe on the left arm.^[1]

On 26th January, 1871, they sent representation to a meeting of twenty-one London and suburban football clubs that followed Rugby School rules (Wasps were invited by failed to attend) assembled at the Pall Mall Restaurant in Regent Street. E.C. Holmes, captain of the Richmond Club assumed the presidency. It was resolved unanimously that the formation of a Rugby Football Society was desirable and thus the Rugby Football Union was formed. A president, a secretary and treasurer, and a committee of thirteen were elected, to whom was entrusted the drawing-up of the laws of the game upon the basis of the code in use at Rugby School. Although Lausanne was considered prominent enough to have been invited, they did not gain any of the thirteen places on the original committee.^[2]

The club played its football at the Rosemary Branch Grounds (once east of the current Blake's Road, and now covered by the vast North Peckham Estate). Lausanne were known to have used the pub called the "Rosemary Branch", on Southampton Street, Peckham, to change. In 1874 the club relocated to New Cross Gate and then in 1875 to Dulwich, and whilst there they changed at the Greyhound pub in Dulwich Village.^[1]

[edit] Disbandment

The club disbanded in 1881 after just fourteen seasons.^[1]

[edit] Notable Players

Despite their apparent prominence, the club produced no international players.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Dick Tyson, London's Oldest Rugby Clubs, p44 (JJG Publishing), 2008
2. ^ Marshall, Francis, Football; the Rugby union game, p68, (1892) (London Paris Melbourne, Cassell and company, limited)