Blanchard Fred

Fred Blanchard

Position: Wing

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Debut game: 7th February 1885 v Volunteers

Final game: 3rd October 1886 v Gloucester

Number of Appearances: 7 ? (match records were scarce in the 1880s)

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The brothers Tom and Fred played in local rugby before 1883 but in order to get a game had often to travel to Bath or farther. Walking was generally the accepted means of getting to matches as it was much later that the bicycle became a common mode of transport for all classes. Fred with his brother played a large part in the founding of the local village club at Avonvale.

In the 7/2/1885 game Tom played as fly-half with his brother Fred on the wing.

The Blanchard family can be traced back to medieval times in the village and figures in the stained-glass window of the church depict a Crusader and his wife bearing the family name. Tom and Fred Blanchard were great-uncles of Ron Blanchard, President of Avonvale RFC. (Source: Bath Chronicle and Avonvale R.F.C. Centenary history)