Football's Forgotten Tour: The Story of the British Australian Rules Venture of 1888 by John Williamson

Book Description

Secondhand. Good condition. Wear to book corners and edges. Faint marks on top foredge. Inscribed by author (unverified). Scratch to upper spine. Interior and binding are very good.

Scarce copy.

In 1888, three English cricketers and entrepreneurs - Arthur Shrewsbury, Alfred Shaw, and James Lillywhite, brought out a team of English, Scots and Welsh Rugby players for a series of matches in the Australian and New Zealand colonies.

As well as being the first tour by any British team, the tour was unique in that as well as the 34 rugby games, the touring team also played 19 Australian Rules Football games. The highlight was the famous Port Adelaide team victory at Adelaide Oval.

This book not only traces these almost forgotten games but highlights Arthur Shrewsbury failed attempt to induce an Australian team to tour Britain and play a series of AFL exhibition games. (back cover)

Includes photos, appendices, notes on sources, bibliography, photographic index and index.