Roger Spong

Roger Spong (23 October 1906 – 27 March 1980) was a rugby union international who represented England from 1929 to 1932.

Early life

Roger Spong was born on 23 October 1906 in Barnet

James and his wife Frances Elizabeth Scott had a number of children, including suffragettes Dora Spong and her sisters. The eldest Spong child was Roger's father, James William, (born in 1868). Like his father, James William was educated at Mill Hill School and in 1902 he joined his father's company. Shortly after joining the company, James William married Alice Spencer and they had Donald William in 1904 and Roger Spencer in 1906.

Career In 1935, Spong became a director of Spong and Co, following his brother who had become a director in 1932. Donald and Roger becoming joint managing directors in 1944, with the company still a leader in the production of kitchen utensils such as, mincers, slicers, shredders, graters, coffee mills, baking tins and various metallic and plastic scourers.

In 1955 Spong's son, Christopher, had joined the company. In 1960 Spong and Co became a Public Company, and in 1962 had moved to Crompton Close, Basildon, Essex. Christopher saw the company through a number of changes including the 1980 sell off of the hardware section of the company to Salter Housewares Ltd, and the change of name of Spong Holdings plc, to Lion Heart plc and then to Brit Nit which itself was eventually sold to Cafetiere Household Articles.

Christopher's sons, Nicholas and Simon Spong also went to Mill Hill School and excelled at sport, especially rugby. They both now have successful careers but outside sport.

Rugby union career Spong made his international debut on 1 April 1929 at Colombes in the France vs England match. Of the 13 matches he played for his national side he was on the winning side on 4 occasions.

He played his final match for England on 16 January 1932 at St Helen's, Swansea in the Wales vs England match.