In this podcast, I speak to four people involved in the telling of the story of Argentinian club Newell’s Old Boys. Founded in 1903, the Rosario-based club was inspired to play by the influence of Isaac Newell, born in Kent, England, who moved to Argentina and set up a school where football and physical education complemented academic studies.
In this podcast, we hear from (in order):
- Adrian Pope, who has been campaigning for a statue of Isaac Newell in his hometown of Strood for more than 20 years
- Amanda J. Thomas, who’s writing a biography of Isaac Newell
- Jon Rye, who curated an exhibition about Newell in 2022
- Margarita Newell, great-great-granddaughter of Isaac Newell and great-granddaughter of Claudio Newell, the club’s founder
In this podcast, we cover:
- We explore the life and legacy of Isaac Newell, a Kent-born educator whose vision helped shape Argentine football. After leaving Strood at 16, he moved to Rosario, Argentina, where he founded a school in 1884 that blended education and sport. This dual focus laid the groundwork for what later became Newell’s Old Boys, one of Argentina’s most famous football clubs
- Adrian Pope stumbled upon the story in 2002 while working in Argentina. Discovering that the club was named after an English teacher from his home county of Kent was a transformative moment. From then on, Adrian dedicated himself to raising awareness of Isaac Newell’s legacy, eventually leading to campaigns for a statue and other commemorative efforts
- Amanda J Thomas, an author and historian originally from Strood, became involved after editing local history journals and uncovering consistent Argentine interest in Isaac Newell. This led her to write his biography, currently in progress, which aims to shed light on his early life and the educational ideals that defined him
- Isaac Newell and his wife Anna Margareta were deeply committed to combining sport with education. Their school in Rosario welcomed local children regardless of background and promoted a holistic approach to development, with football, arts and music integrated into learning
- Amanda’s research suggests Newell’s influence on Argentine football may predate the better-known Alexander Watson Hutton in Buenos Aires. Their shared emphasis on Methodism, work ethic and reading as moral foundations hints at possible ideological, if not personal, connections between them
- A persistent myth about Newell’s Old Boys’ colours—red and black—being inspired by German heritage is debunked by Amanda. Anna Margareta’s family were Danish and anti-German, having fled to London from Schleswig-Holstein. Amanda is currently tracing the true origins of the club’s colours, hinting at a more symbolic or personal meaning still under investigation
- Jon Rye curated a 2022 exhibition titled Isaac Newell: More Than a Game in Rochester, which explored Isaac’s early life, the school in Rosario, and the birth of Newell’s Old Boys. The exhibit showcased how sport, education and community identity intertwined, and how the club evolved into a major institution with youth houses and training facilities.
- A permanent exhibition now resides at Strood Sports Centre, complete with banners and visuals from the original show. From there, visitors can overlook the Isaac Newell Soccer Centre—another tribute to his influence. Plans are in motion to expand the exhibit with physical memorabilia and further educational material
- The long-anticipated statue of Isaac Newell is targeted for completion by 2028, near the site of his birthplace on Taylor’s Lane, Strood. The initiative, driven by the Isaac Newell Heritage Group, is part of a larger redevelopment project and reflects a growing sense of local pride and international recognition
- Margarita Newell, Isaac’s great-great-granddaughter, speaks warmly about her family’s legacy and her personal connection to both Rosario and Kent. She described Isaac’s mission as one of empowerment through education, sport and culture. Her frequent visits to the UK feel like a homecoming, affirming the powerful transatlantic bridge her ancestor helped build
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