Vincent’s Club was founded in Oxford in 1863 by the notably unconventional undergraduate oarsman Walter Bradford Woodgate of Brasenose College. It started life above “Vincents” the printers at 90 High Street, Oxford. Woodgates vision was to bring together 100 of Oxford University’s leading sportsmen and “all-round characters”. His “originals” were chosen to reflect the founders own lively disregard for convention. Vincent’s Club, in Woodgate’s own phrase “At once acquired a special prestige, which never left it”.
Characterised over 150 years by its unique combination of informal fellowship and sporting achievement, Vincent’s Club members are of distinction in every field and at every period. At its centenary in 1963 members included the Prime Minister of the day Harold Macmillan, his successor Alec Douglas-Home and sportsmen such as the Olympic gold medallist Olav V King of Norway. Half a century later a roll call of Vincent’s Club members prominent in public life include the Prime Minister of Australia.
In approx 1921/22 the club in association with Walters & Co, 10 Turl St, Oxford designed the club tie that is used by members today.
Up until 1920 club ties had only been available in striped designs but with the invention of the Jacquard tie in 1920 crested ties became a lot more popular, thus the Vincent’s tie was born.
Walters & Co is proud to continue its long association with Vincent’s and offers club formalwear in its store and online on our Vincent’s Club page.
The club has amassed a richly entertaining account of superhuman sporting feats, wild eccentricities, fascinating anecdotes and connections, as well as humbling accounts of indomitable courage and endurance. With a membership composed of Prime Ministers, Presidents, ambassadors, Vice Chancellors, international sporting champions, at least one Head of the Secret Service, CEO’s and entrepreneurs and not forgetting a walk-on part by the Beatles in 1964, this is a club continues to enshrine the ethos and spirit set in 1863 as it was, as it is, and as it will continue to be.