Background
Percival Coles was born in Eastbourne in 1865 to John Henry Campion Coles (1832–1915), a solicitor who practised in the town.
Percival Coles was born in Eastbourne in 1865 to John Henry Campion Coles (1832–1915), a solicitor who practised in the town.
Coles was one of seven children and was educated at Rugby School before matriculating to Oxford University.
As a cricketer he played for Oxford University and Sussex. He became a solicitor by profession working in the family practice in Eastbourne. Coles first game to note as a rugby player when he represented Oxford University.
He played in three early Varsity matches winning his sporting "Blues".
The Oxford forwards were very poor, and Coles and the rest of the newcomers to the team were described as of a "poor standard". Despite this, Coles played in the next two Varsity games, and was made Oxford team captain for the 1886/87 season.
On leaving Oxford, Coles joined first class rugby team Blackheath, and while at Blackheath he met William Percy Carpmael, a fellow player. Carpmael had a vision of creating a rugby club which would consist of a touring-only team whose membership would be invitational.
In 1890 Carpmael formed his team, the Barbarians, and eleven of his Blackheath team-mates became original members, including Coles.
Coles was also one of the team"s earliest committee members. By the turn of the century, and his rugby playing career behind him, Coles continued his connection with the sport by refereeing matches. His refereed two international matches, the Wales versus
Ireland game of the 1903 Home Nations Championship and the Scotland versus
Ireland encounter of the 1905 Championship. He also refereed at club and county level, and was chosen to officiate the match between New Zealand and Devonshire in 1905.
On 25 October 1905, Coles became the first paid Secretary of the Rugby Football Union, replacing George Rowland Hill. He continued in the role for three seasons.
Coles first played cricket for Rugby School, and was part of the Rugby XI who played Marlborough at Lord"s in 1882 and 1883.
In 1885 he first played for Sussex.
Although Coles did not play any sport at an international level, in rugby union he was one of the founding members of the Barbarians Football Club and later became Secretary of the Rugby Football Union.