From The Vaults

23 September 2024

The Autograph Hunter

The World Rugby Museum has recently acquired an unusual and unique item. It is a 75 x 75 cm scarf embroidered with the signatures of famous international rugby players from the 1950s to 1990s and is the life's work of Mrs Marlene Wright.

Marlene got the ball rolling while still a schoolgirl in 1954, by asking several of her friends to sign it first. The following year, she was volunteering at her local rugby club when half of the Irish side walked in. Seizing the opportunity, she collected eight signatures and later embroidered them in green.

It was the custom at the time, for visiting international sides to stay in Porthcawl, at the Seabank Hotel, before matches against Wales in Cardiff. To warm up before the match, they would use the local rugby club, where Marlene would often serve refreshments.

Peter Wright

Later one of the players that Marlene met recommended that she come to Penarth and support the Barbarians on their Easter Tour. She did and it was there that she gathered the signature of Blackheath prop Peter Wright.

Peter would go on to play 13 times for England, between 1960 and 1962, and tour South Africa with the 1962 British and Irish Lions. Of more importance to Marlene, he would become her husband.

This happy turn of events allowed Marlene's autograph collection to grow, as she accompanied Peter during his international career and, later, as they attended matches at Twickenham and elsewhere together into the 1990s.

The scarf

Although rugby players dominate, there are one or two other interesting signatures that Marlene had the opportunity to meet. These include sports reporter Terry O'Connor, actor Windsor Davies and Welsh singer Dame Shirley Bassey.

Who else can you spot?