Tommy Vile

Tommy Vile

Vile in his Newport jersey
Full name	Thomas Henry Vile
Date of birth	(1882-09-06)6 September 1882
Place of birth	Newport,Wales
Date of death	30 October 1958(1958-10-30) (aged 76)
Place of death	Newport, Wales
School	Newport Intermediate School
Occupation(s)	businessman
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) ? 1902-1921 ? ? 1912-1914 1907-1913 Pill Harriers RFC Newport RFC London Welsh RFC Blackheath F.C. Barbarian F.C. Monmouthshire ? 299 ? ? 4 10 () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1908-1921 1904 Wales Great Britain 8 3 (0) (0)

Position(s)	Scrum-half
Amateur team(s)
Years	Team	Apps	(Points)
? 1902-1921 ? ? 1912-1914 1907-1913	Pill Harriers RFC Newport RFC London Welsh RFC Blackheath F.C. Barbarian F.C. Monmouthshire	? 299 ? ? 4 10	()
National team(s)
Years	Team	Apps	(Points)
1908-1921 1904	Wales Great Britain	8 3	(0) (0)

Major Thomas Henry "Tommy" Vile MBE (6 September 1882– 30 October 1958) was a Welsh international rugby union player. He played club rugby predominantly for Newport, captaining the side twice and played county rugby for Monmouthshire. He also represented the British Isles in Australia, and after retiring from playing became an international referee. He fought in both World Wars, became a president of the Welsh Rugby Union, was a Justice of the Peace, businessman and High Sheriff of Monmouthshire.

Vile took part in a trial for Newport in 1900 at the age of 17 and despite his slight build was chosen as a forward. Due to injuries to other players, Vile got his chance and was accepted into the Newport ranks and in 1902 made his first-class debut for the club. During the 1903/04 season he became the club's regular scrum-half. Vile was a master of the reverse pass and was also a strong kicker who scored many drop goals for his club.

In 1909 he was made captain of Newport and showed himself as a great offensive tactician; and in the 1911/12 season lead his team to the Club Championship. In 1912, Vile alongside team partner Walter Martin were impressive in the match against the touring South Africans, which saw Newport win 9-3.

Vile made his debut for Wales against England in 1908, mainly due to injuries to the Swansea pairing of Dicky Owen and Dick Jones. Vile was reportedly very nervous before the match as fog had descended and reduced visibility to 50 yards; and Vile presumed the game would be abandoned, allowing Owen time to recover and regain his place. Although Vile played well, when Owen and Jones were fit they were the first choice pairing for the Welsh selectors, and it wasn't until Owen declined to play in 1912 that Vile got a regular place in the Welsh squad.

After a terrible display against England in 1913 Vile was dropped by the selectors, but, surprisingly, was reselected after the First World War to captain Wales against Scotland in 1921 at the age of 37.