I don't think he went to war but I think he deserves a place here ! Adrian Stoop Perhaps the name most associated with the club, it is Adrian Stoop who the Stoop Memorial Ground is named after. His association with Harlequins lasted from his debut against Oxford University in November 1901 until 1950 when he ended his 30 year stint as president of the club. He played his last game in Quins colours in 1939, at the age of 56. He made 182 appearances in total, captained the side 143 times and scored 86 tries, being club captain for 8 consecutive seasons from 1906/07 to 1913/14. Stoop was born on 27th March 1883 in Cromwell Road, London. His father was Dutch and his mother was half Scottish/half Irish.. He went to Rugby School, where he played for the school team and then to Oxford University, where he was captain of the rugby team in 1904. It was whilst he was still at Rugby school that he was asked to join Harlequins. He had also been approached by Blackheath, who at the time were a bigger name than Quins, but he decided to accept the offer from Quins. How different things may have been if he had chosen differently. He made his debut, against Oxford University whilst he was at the university, and as mentioned earlier, he went on to play for the university as well. In 1905, Stoop made his debut for England against Scotland and it was also against Scotland that he earned the last of his 15 caps in 1912. During this time he captained the national side twice, including the first ever international played at Twickenham in 1910. Had it not been for a broken collarbone in 1907 he would have added to his international appearances. Stoop is widely credited with revolutionising back play. Previously, the two half backs were designated as “left and right”, but Stoop incorporated ideas already being used in Wales and New Zealand to introduce the concept of the Scrum Half and Outside Half. He used these ideas to great success for both Harlequins and England. Stoop was recognised as a great leader and captain. He was responsible for a number of positional changes amongst the Harlequins players which invariably were to the benefit of the player and the team. As well as being club captain from 1906-1914, Stoop was secretary from 1905-14 and from 1920-38 as well as president from 1920-1950. He was also president of the RFU in 1932 and was a member of the selection committee. In addition to Quins and England he also represented Surrey and The Barbarians. He died on 27th November 1957, aged 74. It is appropriate that Stoop's name should live on with the Stoop Memorial Ground. His lifelong association with the club was of great benefit to Harlequins and the success that the club had in the early part of the season was very much down to him. He was the first of the great names to be associated with the club.
Stoop, Adrian Dura MC played for England Internationals: 15 : 1905 S- ; 1906 S+ F+ (1t) SA= ; 1907 F+ W- ; 1910 W+ I= S= ; 1911 W- F+ (1t) I- S+ ; 1912 W+ S- Adrian Stoop was born on 27 March 1883, in London Played as a Scrum half/Fly half for: Dover College, Rugby School, Oxford University (Blue 1902-1904), Harlequins, Surrey, Barbarians Profession: Barrister War service: Served from 3 September 1914, when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 1/5th Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment. Temporary Lieutenant from 7 March 1915 and acting Captain from 20 July 1917 and again from15 December 1918. The 1/5th Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment were in the 12th Brigade, 15th Indian Division; wounded in Mesopotamia and Mentioned in Despatches, MC Gazetted 1 January 1919: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. He commanded the Lewis guns of his battalion with great skill and daring under heavy fire, rendering valuable assistance, and only desisted on being seriously wounded. He has previously done good work as a Lewis gun officer. Remarks: He is described as a ‘legendary figure in Rugby Football, who applied much thought to techniques of half-back play, of which he was a superb exponent’. [dd] Brother of F M Stoop (4 caps). Played for Barbarians: v Swansea (6-26) v Cardiff (8-5) v Devonport (3-11) in 1905; v Cardiff (0-38) in 1906; v Penarth (8-5) v Cardiff (0-17) v Devonport (9-0) in 1907; v Cardiff (16-5) v Swansea (0-11) in 1910. Secretary and President of Harlequins; President of Surrey RFU; RFU selector 1927-1931, President 1932-1933; Central District representative 1911-1933. International Board representative 1923. Refereed the first Edgar Mobbs Memorial Match, East Midlands (14) v Barbarians (19) on 10 February 1921, mistakenly blowing no side after 68 minutes. Players returned from changing rooms to complete the match after spectator protests. He died on 27 November 1957. Harlequins RFC now play at the Stoop Memorial Ground.
Blues Register STOOP, Adrian Dura Born 1883. Educated at Dover College, Rugby and University College, Oxford. Played in Oxford Fifteen 1902, 1903 & 1904. International football, England v Scotland 1905, 1906, 1910; v Ireland 1910; v Wales 1907, 1910; v South Africa 1907; v France 1906, 1907. Barrister. Address: West Hall, Byfleet, Surrey; Goldsmith Building, Temple, E.C. Picture of 1902 Oxford Rugby Fifteen, Stoop is the far left of the three sitting cross legged on the ground. Andy
