Percival Coles
Percival Coles (2 May 1865 – 24 February 1920) was an English sportsman and sporting administrator. Although Coles did not play any sport at an international level, in rugby union he was one of the founding members of the Barbarians Football Club and later became Secretary of the Rugby Football Union. As a cricketer he played for Oxford University and Sussex. Personal history Percival Coles was born in Eastbourne in 1865 to John Henry Campion Coles (1832–1915), a solicitor who practised in the town. Coles was one of seven children and was educated at Rugby School before matriculating at University College, Oxford. He became a solicitor by profession working in the family practice in Eastbourne. Rugby career Coles' first game to note was a rugby player, when he represented Oxford University. He played in three early Varsity matches, winning his sporting Blue. His first game for Oxford was the 1884 victory over Cambridge, in which Oxford won by three goals, against the odds: the Oxford forwards were weak, and Coles and the rest of the newcomers to the team were described as of a "poor standard". Despite this performance, Coles played in the next two Varsity games, and was made