Frank Moss (rugby union)


Frank Jacob Slazenger Moss was an English rugby union footballer who played in the 1880s. He played at representative level for England, and Lancashire, and at club level for Broughton RUFC, as a forward.

Background

Frank Moss was born at 159 York Street, Cheetham, Manchester, Lancashire, and he died aged 78 of a heart attack in Belgrade, Maine, United States.

Playing career

International honours

Frank Moss won caps for England while at Broughton RUFC in the 1885 Home Nations Championship against Wales, and Ireland, and in the 1886 Home Nations Championship against Wales.

County honours

Frank Moss won cap for Lancashire while at Broughton RUFC including against Middlesex at The Oval on Saturday 12 March 1887, that was attended by the Prince of Wales, and is believed to be the first rugby match attended by royalty.

Outside of rugby

Frank Moss' older brothers; Ralph Slazenger Moss and Albert Slazenger Moss founded the British sporting goods manufacturer Slazenger at Cannon Street, London in 1881. Frank Moss emigrated to New York City to manage the Slazenger business in the United States, opening a store on East 15th Street, Manhattan, New York in 1889, and later moving to East 28th Street, he took out several golf and tennis equipment patents.

Genealogical information

Frank Moss was the son of Joseph Moss, a tailor and draper, a descendant of Jewish German immigrants of the late-1700s. Frank Moss was the younger brother of Ralph Slazenger Moss, Mordecai Moss, Sara Slazenger Moss, Frances Ann Slazenger Moss, Ada Slazenger Moss, Marion Slazenger Moss, Isaac "Jack" Slazenger Moss, rugby union footballer for Broughton RUFC, Albert Slazenger Moss, rugby union footballer for Broughton RUFC, Horatio "Slosh" Slazenger Moss, and the older brother of Isabel "Belle" Slazenger Moss, and Mindale Slazenger Moss. Frank Moss was the husband of Blanche of 8439 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, they married on the evening of Monday 10 June 1907, they were the parents of Mary Slazenger Moss.