King Edward VI School
Fives were a topic of excitement and interest in the early editions of the King Edward VI School Chronicle. An article from 1872 debates the origin of the name and how it was invented. While the game had existed for centuries it was only in the 1870s when the game became the fashion at public schools, did KES consider building their own fives facilities.
While no record of Fives games have been found in the archive from the 19th century, we can infer from several articles written in the school Chronicle that games were played in the cloisters of KES, much to the ruin of the pupils appearance! One old boy remarked…
The [new fives courts] were very necessary if the game continued to as popular as when we were in the school…Never shall we forget the gravel and dust of that playground and the colour of our boots after the interval for recreation, when we often returned to our classroom looking more like coal-heavers than youthful votaries of the classic Muses.
KES Chronicle 1877 Issue No: 31
Play in the cloisters continued until an official space for the game was found.
On 31st May 1876 it was noted in the Governor Order Books that the Estates Committee reported that a plan had been agreed upon for a playground wall and fives court. The fives court would cost £96 to build.
It was completed the same year and the Chronicle remarks upon the first few weeks of its use:
Since the last issue of the Chronicle the new Fives Court has been completed and play has taken place there throughout the last fortnight. It lies at the right-hand corner of the playground, from which it is shut off by a wall. Entrance to the court is gained by means of a door, which can be kept shut during play. The advantage gained by this arrangement is obvious when we consider that players will be subject to no interruption, whatever, either from stray balls or from boys pursuing some other game, to both of which, annoyances players in the cloisters are especially exposed. But one advantage which the courts in the cloisters possess, is that they are not open to the rain, whereas the new one is; so that in wet weather it is impossible, or at least very inconvenient to play in the latter. However, in spite of this—we might almost say—necessary disadvantage and the slight inconvenience that is caused by the rough surface of the walls, we have no hesitation in saying, that for really good play the new court is infinitely superior to the courts that have hitherto been in use; and that it will do much to increase the popularity of the pastime and consequently contribute in no small degree to the improvement not only of the physique, but also of the mind of those who indulge in the healthy and scientific game of Fives.
KES Chronicle 1876 Issue No: 28
A Fives championship was quickly established, open to all boys who attended the school.
The game fell in and out of popularity over the next few decades with a club of around fourty boys being established in 1891. In 1895 the King Edwards first inter-school fives match against Bromsgrove, was played in their court on December 3rd, KES winning 2 games to 0. With the introduction of the King Edward VI Grammar Schools, Fives Courts were subsequently built at both Camp Hill Boys and Five Ways schools, making more local inter school games possible, both against current pupils and Old Edwardians.
A new Fives court was built in the school playground in 1904 in memory of Mr Levett (Master 1869-1903). This encouraged inter-house championships to expand. Two more fives courts were built by the order of Mr Heath in 1929 and the rules were updated to enforce the wearing of pumps on the court. A specific Fives badge was also introduced - crossed gloves and ball in white on a ground of House colours. The result of the new courts was an increased interest in Fives leading to the award of Fives colours from 1930.
With the move of the school from New Street to Edgbaston in 1936 there was a lapse in Fives being played due to a delay in building the courts.
“We regret that since the school has been moved fives has died a painless death. There are no courts and unhappily not even any convenient brick walls to play against. It is feared that by the time the new School is built there will be no one left who remembers how to play…”
KES Chronicle July 1936 Issue Number 282
Despite the lack of space to play the game, Fives Captains were still nominated every year, so the chain of captains was at least unbroken and occasional games were played at the Camp Hill Boys, Five Ways and other schools courts.
In 1938 the game recommenced after a three year hiatus…
“Since the six new courts were officially opened, late this term, they have been in constant demand. Only four of them are for general use, the other two being reserved for school matches. Much new equipment was bought when the courts were opened. There are now enough gloves for every court, but we should like to see more players with gloves of their own. The method at the old school of selling balls has been revived, and boys have been quick to profit by the opportunity.”
KES Chronicle December 1938 Number 289
Four of the six courts were named after four men who were closely connected with the school -Levett, Heath, Lee and Vawdrey.
The school and pupils were very aware that they were, at the beginning, not up to the standard of the pre-war and old school days, owing much to the evacuation and the loss of the courts. However, a new system of regular practice and consistent coaching was introduced to help with the fives revival. Fives balls however, seemed to be in short supply, with appeals going out to any Old Edwardians who might have any they would be willing to donate to the schools Fives club.
However, the game bounced back and in 1953 the school won the Public Schools Eton Fives Championship for the first time, beating Eton in the final. The Old Edwardians Fives club flourished, with many matches being played in London and annual Fives tours of London allowed pupils to play clubs further afield.
In 1991 King Edward VI Camp Hill school for Boys stopped playing Fives which meant that local matches diminished. Similarly, King Edward VI Five Ways lost their Fives courts…
Fives is now only played at King Edward VI School with a small but dedicated following.
Notable players in KES history include:
AJ Gordon Campbell, (1953) Eight times winner of the All England Eton Fives Championship in partnership with Tony Hughes (1956)
Tony Hughes (1956) Nine times winner of the All England Eton Fives Championship, on eight occasions partnered by Gordon Campbell (1953).
Peter Knowles (1964)
Barber Cup semi-finalist, County finalist and Veterans finalist. Archivist
