Gilbert Rugby
Men's Gilbert Rugby Boots in Sizes 12, 13, 14 and 15
In the early 1800s William Gilbert was a big local name, and the official boot and shoemaker to Rugby School. In 1823, operating from a small high street shop in Cambridge, Gilbert was already supplying footballs of all sizes to the school, when William Webb Ellis picked up and ran with the ball, and the game of Rugby Football began. These early balls were larger and rounder than today's balls and could be kicked a long distance. At that time there was no fixed shape or size to the ball - it depended on the dimensions of the pig's bladder used.
