Person    | Male  Born 10/3/1862  Died 24/12/1926

Arthur 'Peggy' Bettinson

Categories: Sport / Games

Co-founder National Sporting Club. Born Arthur Frederick Bettinson at 8 Edward (now Aquila) Street, Marylebone. Brought up in Hampstead. Keen sportsman. 1882 became the British Amateur Boxing Association's lightweight champion. 1891 using his own funds he joined with Fleming to open the National Sporting Club. On Fleming's death in 1897 Bettinson took over as Managing Director. One of his sons, Lionel, succeed his father in this role. Bettinson published a number of books on boxing. Died at home, Fairfax Road, south Hampstead.

He got his nick-name through an attempt at gender shaming by his mother. She tried to break him of his left-handedness by saying that only a girl would eat like that, and so they called him Peggy. He clearly embraced the name but we can't discover if he showed equal perverseness in retaining his southpawness.

See National Sporting Club for more information.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Arthur 'Peggy' Bettinson

Commemorated ati

National Sporting Club

This building was once known as the National Sporting Club, March 1891 - Octo...

Read More

Other Subjects

Laurie Cunningham

Laurie Cunningham

Footballer. Born Laurence Paul Cunningham in Archway. One of the first black footballers to be selected for the England football team. In 1974 he made his debut for Leyton Orient moving to West Bro...

Person, Sport / Games, Spain

3 memorials
First match of association football

First match of association football

The first official game played to Football Association rules took place in Battersea Park. It was played between teams selected by the President (Arthur Pember) and the Secretary (Ebenezer Cobb Mor...

Event, Sport / Games

1 memorial
St Jude's Institute Football Club

St Jude's Institute Football Club

Boys' football club, based at the St Jude's Institute, a mission hall founded by the Reverend Stanley Bolt, vicar of the local church. The club merged with the Christ Church Rangers, to form the Qu...

Group, Sport / Games

1 memorial
Professional Footballers Association

Professional Footballers Association

The trade union for professional association footballers in England and Wales. Its aims are to protect, improve and negotiate the conditions, rights and status of all professional players by collec...

Group, Sport / Games

1 memorial
Victoria Park

Victoria Park

London's first public park. Known locally as Vicky Park or the People's Park, it was laid out by Sir James Pennethorne. It became a welcome relief from the cramped living conditions of the East End...

Place, Gardens / Agriculture, Sport / Games

2 memorials