Gilbert Rugby

Industry

Description

Gilbert makes rugby equipment, from match balls, boots and bags to body armour and benchwear. It was founded in the early 19th century by William Gilbert, boot and shoe maker to Rugby School, and legend holds that the ball William Webb Ellis ran with in 1823 was a Gilbert ball. After William died in 1877 his nephew James took over, by which time Gilbert was stitching 2,800 balls a year, and the company later exported to Australia. Gilbert is owned by Grays of Cambridge, the family-run business that also owns Grays hockey and Gray-Nicolls.

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