Peters’ caps to be restored at World Rugby Museum
When they were at Twickenham Stadium for the England v Tonga Test in the Autumn Nations Series, Dave Venables and his family, the driving force behind Plymouth Albion RFC, were accompanied by a piece of history.
They brought four caps awarded to England’s first ever black player, Jimmy Peters, who in 1906 represented his nation.
Jimmy played for Plymouth and his granddaughter Barbara Dunbar, now 91, still lives in the city and some time ago sent the caps on loan to his club.
I am delighted they are getting attention now at Twickenham. He was my pride and joy!”
Barbara Dunbar, Jimmy Peters' granddaughter
“I have got lovely memories of my grandfather and, as a family, we are all very proud of him,” she says. “I would show his caps to my school pals and later took them to work, my two daughters used to take them to school to show everyone. I am delighted they are getting attention now at Twickenham. He was my pride and joy!”
Having been framed and not inspected for some years, Jimmy’s caps for England, Devon, Somerset and Plymouth RFC will be receiving some TLC.
Said Dave Venables: “Jimmy Peters was way ahead of his time as England’s first black player and there’s a lot of history in those caps. We are proud of him as a Plymouth player and it’s great to see the caps restored and Jimmy getting recognition.”
World Rugby Museum curator Phil McGowan, who together with Museum Ambassador, former England captain Lewis Moody, received the caps, said: “We will take Jimmy’s caps out of their frame, check their overall condition and make sure they are in a stable condition. How we clean them depends on how fragile they are. We’ll also check for pests, deal with anything that comes up, and make sure they can be enjoyed for another 115 years.”
