Tom Crumbie

Thomas Henry Crumbie (1 February 1868 – 13 March 1928) was a player and administrator for rugby union team Leicester Tigers. He has been described as a visionary and ahead of his time, his reforms and developments in the 1920s still setting the club up for its success in the 1990s.[1]

Tom Crumbie

Birth name	Thomas Henry Crumbie
Date of birth	1 February 1868
Place of birth	Leicester, England
Date of death	13 March 1928 (aged 60)
Place of death	Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England
Spouse	Rosa Crumbie
Occupation(s)	Owner of Printing Firm Honorary Secutary of Leicester F.C.
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 1892–97 Leicester Tigers 3 (0)

On 2 August 1895 Crumbe was appointed as secretary of Leicester Tigers following the resignation of predecessor Tom Pettifor whose business interests took him too often away from the city. Crumbie held the position for the rest of his life, a period of 33 years.[2]

Crumbie has been credited with bringing the club to national prominence, he disbanded reserve and third teams making the First XV an invitation side and introducing players from all over the country. During his tenure 26 players from the club became capped at international level.[3]

During Crumbie's tenure Welford Road was significantly redeveloped with the capacity rising to 35,000 and the ground hosting 5 England test matches before the RFU developed their own stadium at Twickenham. The south stand at Welford Road is named in his honour.

References

1. "Memorial to Tigers legend restored". Leicester Tigers. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
2. Farmer, Stuart; Hands, David. Tigers - Official history of Leicester Football Club. The Rugby DevelopmentFoundation. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-9930213-0-5.
3. Farmer, Stuart; Hands, David. Tigers - Official history of Leicester Football Club. The Rugby DevelopmentFoundation. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-9930213-0-5.