Stewart Wrightson Trophy – It’s what the Army Navy is all about!

First discussed in 1977. Then representatives of  Willis Faber were hosted at the 1978 Army Navy game.  This match, fortunately for all concerned, was an absolute thriller and eventually won by the Navy 17-16.   Willis Faber agreed to become match sponsors and start a long running relationship with the Army Rugby Union and Royal Navy Rugby Union.  This began in 1979 and also saw the commissioning (designed by John Willmin) and presentation of the Stewart Wrightson Trophy to the winning side.  Willis Faber also offered the use of their marketing team to help address the falling crowds.  From thirty thousand in the fifties the crowd by 1965 had dwindled to less than 4000.  Willis Fabor / AFFAS / Willis Coroon / Willis Group stayed involved until the 2002 match when, in 2003, today’s sponsor Babcock took over.  Both partnerships have been hugely responsible for the growth of the Army Navy match where it is now a realistic aim that before too long the game will sell out Twickenham.  Future articles will show why you can thank the Navy that the game is played at Twickenham but the Army take considerable credit for securing the sponsorship of Willis Fabor.