Pontypridd RFC experienced a successful period during the 1990s under head coach, Dennis John, referred to as the club's "Golden Age",[2] and enjoyed further success between 2001 and 2003 with the appointment of head coach, Lynn Howells. The transition to Regional Rugby in Wales in 2003 saw the downgrading of Pontypridd to a semi-professional team, followed by financial difficulties for the club,[3] and eventual demise of Pontypridd's "Celtic Warriors" region.[4]
Pontypridd RFC has since refinanced and restructured,[5][6] and, despite a mooted stadium sale,[7][8] it continues to be regarded as a beacon for rugby in the south Wales Valleys.[9]
Pontypridd RFC are generally accepted to have been formed in 1876[12] by a number of young local men who had moved into the area during the Industrial Revolution of the late 19th century. However, the first reported match involving Pontypridd was played on 18 December 1873 against Roath (Cardiff).[13] They were represented at a meeting in Tenby in 1880 that would later lead to the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1881[14] and had a player, Edward Treharne, named in the very first Welsh International side also in 1881, who also played for Cowbridge Grammar School as a student.[15] Pontypridd supplied two more players to the Welsh team before the turn of the century, Tom Williams and Ernie George.
In their early days, Pontypridd RFC played their home games at Taff Vale Park in Treforest, the current home of their junior section, before moving to the People's Park alongside the River Rhondda. However, in 1908 they moved once more to a new home in Ynysyngharad Park in Pontypridd itself,[16] where they would stay for 65 years.
1945–1989
Pontypridd have long been regarded as one of the more unfashionable Welsh clubs, and during this period were over-shadowed by the more prominent Welsh clubs, Llanelli, Swansea, Neath, Cardiff and Newport, known collectively as the Big Five. Players with Pontypridd often found it hard to break into the international team while at the club, meaning a number would leave for higher profile teams each season. Despite this the club were consistently successful, achieving a long line of top ten finishes in the unofficial Welsh league, a competition they won for the first time in the 1962/1963 season.
However the 1970s would bring Pontypridd its first period of real success. Following the redevelopment of the A470 trunk road near their home ground, the team moved to its current home of Sardis Road in Pontypridd in 1974.[16] This move was immediately followed by success in the unofficial league championship, winning it in 1975–76, 1977–78 and 1978–79[17] whilst never falling from the top four for seven years under the captaincy of two of Pontypridd's greatest ever players – Bob Penberthy and Tommy David.
1990–2002
The 1990s saw a huge change in Welsh rugby, especially with the inauguration of the first official Welsh leagues in 1990. Pontypridd were placed in the top (first) division for that season and have never yet been out of the top-level in the Welsh game. They consistently finished in the top five, which was considered an achievement due to the stature and pedigree of the clubs they finished among. Third places in 1991–92, 1993–94 and 1995–96 plus a runner up finish to Cardiff RFC in 1994–95 was a promising return for the club.
During the 1993–94 season there was speculation about an Anglo-Welsh competition containing only the 'Big Four' Welsh clubs of Cardiff, Neath, Swansea and Llanelli. Pontypridd's 27–12 victory over Neath in November was considered to have made the case for a 'Big Five', and coach Dennis John expressed pleasure at having put an end to such speculation later in the season following a narrow defeat to Cardiff in the Welsh Cup semi-final.[18][19]
In 1996 the club won its first official major honour, beating Neath RFC in the final of the Welsh Cup, a match still considered one of the best ever. They repeated this achievement again in 2002 and 2006. The following season (1997) saw them win the Welsh League, narrowly over the same opponents. Both of these successes were obtained by what many consider Pontypridd's best ever team, led by Nigel Bezani and including players such as Richie Collins, Neil Jenkins, Paul John and Dale McIntosh.
During the 2001–02 season, Pontypridd enjoyed an incredibly successful campaign, winning the Principality Cup and narrowly losing to Sale Sharks in the final of the Parker Pen Shield competition.[20]
From then until 2003 Pontypridd consistently finished in the top five of the league but failed to challenge for top spot (and to qualify for the Heineken Cup – Europe's top tournament) as they struggled to cope with the added financial pressures of the newly professional game, losing a number of players to larger clubs and relying heavily upon their much admired youth academy system. However, in 2003 the Welsh Rugby Union would change the game in Wales forever with the advent of Welsh Regional Rugby.
2003–present
Celtic Warriors badge – 2004–05 season (unplayed)
After much negotiation and rumour of a merger with local rivals Cardiff RFC, Pontypridd finally found themselves in a partnership with Bridgend RFC, forming the Celtic Warriors that would represent the whole of the South Wales Valleys region.[21]
However financial difficulties at Pontypridd lead the team to sell its stake in the Warriors to Bridgend RFC benefactor Leighton Samuel and all games were moved away from Sardis Road before the club was controversially dissolved by the WRU in the summer of 2004.[22]
They were then reformed as Ponty Rugby Ltd playing at a semi professional level in the newly formed Welsh Premiership and unpopularly placed under the umbrella of local rivals Cardiff Blues by the WRU, Pontypridd continue to be the top team in the Glamorganshire south Wales Valleys and are considered by many of their fans to be the Valleys' regional representative side, with Cardiff still perceived by the residents of the Valleys as rivals.[23]
In 2005 Pontypridd were beaten finalists in the WRU Challenge Cup, narrowly losing to Llanelli 24–25, having been leading 24–8 with only 10 minutes remaining until a former Pontypridd player Neil Boobyer was brought into the game and helped turn them game around in Llanelli's favour.[24]
The following year they would surpass their previous season's record as Saturday 6 May 2006 Pontypridd beat Neath 26–25 to win the WRU Challenge Cup (then called the Konica Minolta Cup, and currently called the SWALEC Cup after the sponsors of the tournament) in a well fought final at the Millennium Stadium.[25] Neath were pre-match favourites having recently secured the Welsh Premier league by a large points margin, and going into the game chasing a league and cup 'double'. This was a replay of the classic 1996 final, when Pontypridd had also stopped Neath RFC 'doing the double'.
17 May 2008 saw Pontypridd enter a repeat performance against Neath at the Millennium Stadium. The score, however, was not to be repeated, as Neath beat Pontypridd 28–22.
In 2010–11 the Swalec Cup was secured after victory over Aberavon, 35–24 at the Millennium Stadium and Ponty finished in first place in the Principality Premiership with 107 points but with play-offs to crown the overall league champions introduced they lost in the final at Sardis Road against 3rd placed Llanelli to deny Ponty a historic double, reaching the Semi-Finals of the British & Irish Cup before losing to eventual winners Bristol was also a fine achievement.
The club again reached two finals the following season, losing to Cross Keys in the final of the Swalec Cup 32–19 on 7 May 2012 before being crowned Welsh Champions for the first time in 15 years after a second successive first-place finish in the Principality Premiership this time led to a Play-Off final win over Llanelli at Sardis Road on 18 May. The club also made the Quarter-Finals of the British & Irish Cup, losing away to Leinster 'A'.
The 2012–13 season was arguably the most successful in the club's history as Ponty won an historic league and cup double. First beating Neath in the final of the Swalec Cup on 4 May 2013, 34–13 and then after finishing 23 points clear in the Principality Premiership with 21 wins from 22 matches they secured the title in style by defeating Llanelli in the Play-Off Final at Sardis Road on 18 May by 47–15.
The 2013–14 season saw Ponty repeat their success of the previous year, winning an unprecedented Double Double, claiming the Swalec Cup on 4 May 2014 against Cross Keys at the Millennium Stadium by 21–8, and after finishing top of the Principality Premiership for the fourth successive season, a third league title in a row was secured on 18 May 2014 with 38–17 victory over Cross Keys in the Play-Off Final at Sardis Road. The club also defeated London Welsh, London Scottish and Cornish Pirates on the way to the British & Irish Cup Semi-Finals before exiting the competition against Leinster 'A' following a defeat on try count following a 22–22 draw. The 2014–15 saw Ponty reach a fifth successive Swalec Cup final before going down to a surprise defeat by Bridgend, while a fifth successive 1st-place finish in the Principality Premiership led to a fourth league title in a row after a 28–14 victory over Ebbw Vale at Sardis Road on 17 May 2015 in the play-off final.
Despite remaining successful at the highest level attainable by a non-regional side, Pontypridd RFC has seen a huge loss in their fan base due to the disenfranchisement of Welsh rugby supporters in the Valleys[26] over to the appointment of Cardiff Blues as their 'regional' team. Yet despite this, Pontypridd's hardcore support base remains one of the biggest club followings in Wales[27]
The club shield denotes the town of Pontypridd's famous arched bridge – once the largest single-span bridge in Europe[28] – built by William Edwards in 1756 and known as the "Old Bridge".
Pontypridd's most notable main sponsor was local company, Buy As You View. The company began life as Just Rentals in Tonypandy in 1976, and sponsored Pontypridd RFC from the early nineties until 2004. It employed numerous former players, including Neil Jenkins and Lee Beach and ran the Buy As You View Schools Rugby Initiative, working in partnership with Pontypridd RFC.[32]
Pontypridd's main sponsor from 2004 to 2009 was Pontypridd-based environmental and waste management company, Egan Waste Services.[33]
In 2009, Pontypridd-based company Amber Electrical become the club's main sponsors in a highly publicised partnership deal.[34]
2010 saw Egan Waste Services step up their support of Pontypridd by becoming the club's main sponsors once more.[35]
Club kit has been supplied by numerous firms, including Umbro, Hogger Sports, Cica, Rossco, Canterbury of New Zealand, Kukri Sports, Errea, Rhino Rugby and Mizuno. Kappa became the club's kit suppliers for the start of the 2018–19 season.
Statistics
Club honours
Welsh Premier Division Champions – 1996–97, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15 Welsh Premier Division Runners Up – 1994–95, 1998–99, 2010–11, 2015–16 WRU Merit Table Champions – 1975–76 WRU Merit Table Runners Up – 1977–78, 1978–79 Western Mail Welsh Championship Winners – 1963, 1976, 1978, 1979 WRU National Cup Winners – 1995–96, 2001–02, 2005–06, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2013–14 WRU National Cup Runners Up – 1978–79, 1994–95, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2016–17 WRU Premiership Challenge Cup Winners – 2015–16 WRU Challenge Trophy Winners – 1997–98 WRU Challenge Trophy Runners-Up – 1998–99 WRU Champions Challenge Winners – 1996 European Rugby Shield Runners Up – 2001–02 European Rugby Shield Semi-Finalists – 2002–03 British & Irish Cup Semi-Finalists – 2010–11, 2013–14 WRU National 7s Tournament Winners – 2013 WRU National 7s Tournament Runners Up – 2014, 2015 Abercynon 7s Tournament Winners – 2008, 2009, 2010 Abercwmboi 7s Tournament Winners – 2017
Welsh Leagues
Season
Division
Pos
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
Play-Offs
1990–91
1
5th
44
30
2
12
1991–92
1
3rd
47
35
0
12
1992–93
1
5th
40
24
3
13
1993–94
1
3rd
22
17
1
4
1994–95
1
2nd
22
17
0
5
1995–96
1
3rd
22
16
1
5
1996–97
1
1st
22
20
0
2
1997–98
Premier
3rd
14
8
2
4
1998–99
Premier
2nd
20
12
0
8
1999–00
Welsh/Scottish
4th
22
14
2
6
2000–01
Welsh/Scottish
9th
22
10
0
12
2001–02
Welsh/Scottish
7th
20
9
0
11
2002–03
Premiership
6th
16
6
1
9
2003–04
Premiership
3rd
30
20
2
8
2004–05
Premiership
10th
32
17
1
14
2005–06
Premiership
3rd
30
21
0
9
2006–07
Premiership
4th
26
16
1
9
2007–08
Premiership
3rd
26
16
1
9
2008–09
Premiership
5th
26
16
2
8
2009–10
Premiership
4th
26
16
1
9
2010–11
Premiership
1st
26
23
1
2
Lost to Llanelli 18–24
2011–12
Premiership
1st
26
19
0
7
Beat Llanelli 15–13
2012–13
Premiership
1st
22
21
0
1
Beat Llanelli 47–15
2013–14
Premiership
1st
22
16
1
5
Beat Cross Keys 38–17
2014–15
Premiership
1st
22
21
0
1
Beat Ebbw Vale 28–14
2015–16
Premiership
1st
22
17
0
5
Lost to Ebbw Vale 12–38
2016–17
Premiership
5th
22
13
0
9
2017–18
Premiership
3rd
29
23
0
6
2018–19
Premiership
3rd
30
22
0
8
2019–20
Premiership
5th*
18
10
0
8
*Season cancelled
2021-22
Premiership
7th
11
7
0
4
2022-23
Premiership
10th
22
5
0
17
Cup Final history
Year
Opponent
Result
Score
Competition
1979
Bridgend
Lost
12–18
Schweppes Cup
1995
Swansea
Lost
12–17
Swalec Cup
1996
Neath
Won
29–22
Swalec Cup
1996
Neath
Won
60–19
WRU Champions Challenge
1998
Cardiff
Won
15–10
WRU Challenge Trophy
1999
Llanelli
Lost
18–41
WRU Challenge Trophy
2002
Llanelli
Won
20–17
Principality Cup
2002
Sale Sharks
Lost
22–25
Parker Pen European Shield
2005
Llanelli
Lost
24–25
Konica Minolta Cup
2006
Neath
Won
26–25
Konica Minolta Cup
2008
Neath
Lost
22–28
Konica Minolta Cup
2011
Aberavon
Won
35–24
Swalec Cup
2012
Cross Keys
Lost
19–32
Swalec Cup
2013
Neath
Won
34–13
Swalec Cup
2014
Cross Keys
Won
21–8
Swalec Cup
2015
Bridgend
Lost
15–19
Swalec Cup
2016
Bedwas
Won
38–34
Fosters Challenge Cup
2017
RGC 1404
Lost
11–15
WRU National Cup
Team Management, Players & Former Players
Team Management
Pontypridd RFC have been led by a number of high-profile coaches since the 1980s, Clive Jones – a prominent figure in Treorchy RFC's 1993/94 Heineken League successes – was instrumental in ensuring Pontypridd's place in the top tier during the latter part of the eighties.[2]
In 1992, Dennis John took over as head coach, assisted by former Pontypridd flanker, Lynn Howells, and led Pontypridd into what is widely regarded as their "Golden Age",[2] with Ponty winning the Welsh Cup Final in the 1995–96 season, and winning the Welsh Premier League in the 1996–97 season.
With the departure of John in 1999, former Pontypridd and Wales flanker, Richie Collins became head coach, and while some significant scalps – notably a win over Heineken Cup winners Leicester in 2000[36] – came his way, his tenure in charge was short-lived.
In September 2001, Clive Jones rejoined Pontypridd as director of rugby, and had, by December 2001, brought Lynn Howells back from Cardiff,[37] who then proceeded to marshal the club to become Principality Cup winners in May 2002[38] and guided the team to the final of the Parker Pen European Shield days later.[39] The advent of Regional Rugby in 2003 saw Howells depart to become coach of parent-region, the Celtic Warriors, with former Pontypridd flanker, Justin Burnell filling the void.[40]
Burnell's departure in 2004 was followed by the appointment of former Pontypridd flanker, Simon King[41] who, along with assistant coach, former Pontypridd and Wales captain and scrum-halfPaul John, guided Pontypridd to the final of the Konica Minolta Cup in 2004–05, before winning it in 2005–06.[42]
Paul John took over as head coach in at the commencement of the 2006–07 season, and, assisted by former Pontypridd and Wales back row, Dale McIntosh, led the club to the final of the Konica Minolta Cup in 2007/08.[43]
During May 2010, it was decided that Paul John and Dale McIntosh would switch roles, as the demands on John in his capacity as head coach of the Wales Sevens team were becoming too great. Dale McIntosh therefore leads Pontypridd into the 2010–11 season as head coach, while Paul John assumes the mantle of assistant coach.[44]
McIntosh left his role in October 2013 to take up a full-time position with the Cardiff Blues, leading to a restructure of the Pontypridd coaching team with Paul John as head coach, being backed up by Gareth Wyatt and Geraint Lewis with another former Wales international Garin Jenkins also joining the backroom staff. After playing his part in continuing the club's success, Lewis has since departed to become a full-time WRU skills coach being replaced as forwards coach by another former Pontypridd player in Robert Sidoli.
Justin Burnell returned to Pontypridd as director of rugby in the summer of 2017, replacing the previous coaching team of John and Sidoli, whilst Paul Matthews replaced Wyatt, who departed to join up with the Wales Women's team the following year.
The current team manager is former Pontypridd player, Dan Godfrey, and the Forwards coach is Lee Davies.[45]
With the loss of their extremely successful Academy set up that was handed over to their Cardiff rivals by the WRU, Pontypridd RFC re-formed a Youth side in 2006, coached by Sean Oliver and Wayne Gristock (formerly Porth Harlequins RFC).
Starting in the bottom division of the Blues league, the side made notable progress that saw them punch well above their weight and earn the nickname the 'Upstarts', when after hugely successful first season that saw them promoted seven divisions to the BB League (Blues Second Division).
The following season saw the formation of a second Youth team who again had to start in the bottom league and were coached by former Pontypridd players Dai Legge and Mike Kelleher. By the end of the 2007/8 season both youth teams had won their perspective leagues outright and earned automatic promotion, with the senior youth now playing in the top division in only their third season since forming. Several youth players have gained notable honours, including representative honours with Welsh Crawshays and Welsh Schoolboys, with players in the Cardiff Blues Academy and several older players now training with Pontypridd RFC's senior team.
Behind this successful youth setup is the Pontypridd Mini & Junior Section that was formed in 1997, the section started out with just a handful of junior players and volunteer coaches, but has grown into one of the biggest and most successful junior sections in Wales. The section contains every age group from under 7s to under 16s, with the youth sides containing players under the age of 19; with almost 300 young players in their ever-swelling ranks. The section is hugely successful, winning dozens of tournaments and trophies each season, and competing successfully in international tournaments throughout Europe where they have won every foreign tournament they have entered.
At the commencement of the 2008–09 season, it was decided that both Senior and Junior Youth teams would merge, forming a large and capable new Pontypridd Youth section. The new season will see a single squad of 35 players being selected, playing in the 2008–09 RAF Youth League: Blues Region. The squad is coached by Wayne Gristock and Sean Oliver, and managed by Chris Kingsbury MBE.
Prior to the commencement of the 2010–11 season, notification was given of a major change in the running of the Youth section, as it was decided that the section would transfer from the hands of the Mini & Junior Rugby section, and would instead fall under the remit of the senior Team Management. The hope is to discover new stars of the future, who will regularly train alongside the main body of the senior XV, echoing the past achievements of the Pontypridd Youth setup in bringing Michael Owen, Gethin Jenkins and Ceri Sweeney, amongst others, to the attention of the World.[52]
The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in the country of Wales, recognised by the sport's international governing body, World Rugby.
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Matthew Dean Nuthall is a rugby union player for Pontypridd RFC in the Principality Premiership. Nuthall shot to fame at the end of the 2001/02 season with a man of the match performance in his first ever senior outing for Pontypridd against Bridgend. His rise to stardom continued with a place in the Ponty team which clinched the 2002 Welsh Cup against Llanelli, whilst still qualified at the youth age level. Nuthall was drafted into the Celtic Warriors regional squad in 2003, but turning out regularly for Pontypridd at club level.
Dafydd Lockyer is a semi-professional rugby union player for Pontypridd RFC in the Principality Premiership and Abercwmboi RFC. Lockyer also works as an electrician.
Christopher David Dicomidis is a rugby union player for Pontypridd RFC in the Principality Premiership, and for the Cyprus national team.
Welsh regional rugby is the top tier of professional Welsh club rugby and is composed of the Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff Rugby and the Dragons which compete in the United Rugby Championship.
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The 1998–99 rebel season in rugby union occurred when two clubs affiliated to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), Cardiff RFC and Swansea RFC, refused to play in the WRU-sanctioned Welsh Premier Division that season and instead opted to play friendly matches against clubs from the English Premiership. The two clubs' position came about after the WRU rejected requests by the club to pursue changes to the league structure in Welsh club rugby and in particular to set up a cross-border league involving other clubs in Britain, and the two clubs refused to sign up to a loyalty agreement with the WRU committing them to the current league setup.
Smith, David; Williams, Gareth (1980). Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ISBN0-7083-0766-3.
Thomas, J.B.G. (1980). The Illustrated History of Welsh Rugby. London: Pelham books Ltd. ISBN0-7207-1268-8.
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