Edward Copus - Half back
Swansea
| Place Of Birth | Swansea |
| Clubs | Swansea, Cambria FC, Swansea Workingmen's Club |
Clubs: Swansea, Cambria F.C. (Swansea), Swansea Workingmen's Club F.C.
E C (Edward) Copus was one of the earliest recorded players for Swansea Rugby Football Club. As with other early players who turned out in the winter months for the "football" club, Copus was already an established player with the cricket club.
The denoting of player positions in early matches was nominal and Copus is variously named in contemporary match reports as playing at "back", "three-quarter back" and "half-back". As many players appeared as both forwards and backs in different matches, this does not of itself mark him as a back player. But in the six matches we know he played in, he is quoted playing at "half-back" with H R Knill and twice in that position partnering F C Jones.
His first known appearance for Swansea is on 26th December 1874 in a drawn match away to Brecon College with his playing position not stated. In a match played on the "Constitution Hill Ground" - that is, the early ground on Primrose Hill, he played in a win over Llandovery College at "half-back" with H R Knill. He went on to play for Swansea when they moved to the St Helens ground in October 1876 and played in the South Wales Challenge Cup wins over Carmarthen Grammar School (away - 15th Dec 1877) and Neath (St Helens - 20th Jan 1878). These are the last games where Copus is recorded as playing.
He went on to serve as a touch judge with the Club and also served on the committee. The photograph here - which is the only known image of him with the club - was taken from the 1889-90 season's 1st XV photograph when the Club were the 'Premier' side in Wales. Within a decade, Swansea would embark on its "Golden Era" and E Copus' connection with the club spanned its earliest days at Primrose Field to the heady days of Championships at St Helens.
E C (Edward) Copus was one of the earliest recorded players for Swansea Rugby Football Club. As with other early players who turned out in the winter months for the "football" club, Copus was already an established player with the cricket club.
The denoting of player positions in early matches was nominal and Copus is variously named in contemporary match reports as playing at "back", "three-quarter back" and "half-back". As many players appeared as both forwards and backs in different matches, this does not of itself mark him as a back player. But in the six matches we know he played in, he is quoted playing at "half-back" with H R Knill and twice in that position partnering F C Jones.
His first known appearance for Swansea is on 26th December 1874 in a drawn match away to Brecon College with his playing position not stated. In a match played on the "Constitution Hill Ground" - that is, the early ground on Primrose Hill, he played in a win over Llandovery College at "half-back" with H R Knill. He went on to play for Swansea when they moved to the St Helens ground in October 1876 and played in the South Wales Challenge Cup wins over Carmarthen Grammar School (away - 15th Dec 1877) and Neath (St Helens - 20th Jan 1878). These are the last games where Copus is recorded as playing.
He went on to serve as a touch judge with the Club and also served on the committee. The photograph here - which is the only known image of him with the club - was taken from the 1889-90 season's 1st XV photograph when the Club were the 'Premier' side in Wales. Within a decade, Swansea would embark on its "Golden Era" and E Copus' connection with the club spanned its earliest days at Primrose Field to the heady days of Championships at St Helens.
