South Wales RLFC (1995)

Last updated
South Wales RLFC
Founded 1995
Discontinued 1997
ColoursRed, green and white
Stadiums Talbot Athletic Ground
(Capacity 3,000)
Morfa Stadium
(Capacity 1,200)
Cardiff Arms Park
(Capacity 12,500)

South Wales RLFC was a rugby league club formed in 1995. South Wales during their existence played at Morfa Stadium, Swansea, the Talbot Athletic Ground, Aberavon and Cardiff Arms Park.

Contents

A team formed in late 2009 also used the name South Wales RLFC before going on to become known as South Wales Scorpions then South Wales Ironmen before moving to West Wales and playing as West Wales Raiders.

History

History of rugby league in South Wales

The South Wales region had always been an attractive area to the rugby league because of its similarities to Yorkshire and Lancashire in having a mass industrial population which followed rugby enthusiastically. In 1907 a team representing Aberdare was formed, and by 1908-09 there were six Welsh rugby league teams with clubs based in Ebbw Vale, Merthyr Tydfill, Mid Rhondda, Treherbert and Barry. All of these clubs were defunct by 1912. Ebbw Vale survived the longest, five seasons.

Encouraged by the 22,000 strong crowd which attended the Wales vs England match in 1926, local promoters established a club in Pontypridd. The club initially experienced good sized crowds however poor results soon saw attendances drop, and the club only lasted eight games into its second season before folding.

A team was formed in Cardiff and played in the 1947/48 and 1951/52 seasons.

Rugby league would not revisit south Wales until 1981 to 1985 when the Cardiff City Blue Dragons existed as a club. Much like its predecessors initial interest waned when the club suffered from poor results, low attendances and a relocation to Bridgend before they finally disbanded at the end of the 1985 season.

South Wales RLFC

South Wales RLFC during their first season (1996) in the Rugby Football League were reasonably successful and came fifth in the second division; winning twelve games and losing ten. Games were played at Talbot Athletic Ground Aberavon, one game was played at Morfa Stadium Swansea against Bramley and all the games for the second half of the season were at Cardiff Arms Park. They were coached by Clive Griffiths and assisted by Danny Sheehy. [1]

Initially the club had no playing kit of their own so they borrowed the Welsh international team's kit for the first three games. After that they wore a specially designed plain red strip with the traditional three feathers logo to distinguish them from the national side.

The first home game played at Aberavon on 31 March 1996 saw an attendance of 1,876, when the club played Hull Kingston Rovers and lost 70-8. Crowds fluctuated depending upon where the club played, and the last home game of the season saw a crowd of only 400 witness the club defeating York 20-16 at Cardiff Arms Park.

Due to the relative success of the club and their geographical location outside the heartlands of British rugby league, the club had high hopes that it would be awarded a Super League franchise. A case was put forward by Mike Nicholas and Clive Griffiths and was initially accepted after a 16-11 vote by the RFL council. However at the beginning of September, the RFL Board of Directors refused a final endorsement of a Super League place with a £1 million guarantee of support deemed 'insufficient'. The franchise was then awarded to Gateshead Thunder instead. A meeting a few days later decided to place the South Wales in the second tier of British rugby league, the First Division, but the club decided that this would not be financially viable and the decision was made to disband the club altogether before the start of the 1997 season.

Players

During their first, and only, season South Wales utilised forty-two players. [2]

№NameDate of Birth (Age)DébutPosition Appearances Tries Goals Drop goals Points Age on DébutRepresentativeRecords/Notes
1 Ioan Bebb 2 September 1970 (age 53)31 March 1996 Fullback 16745011825 yrs 6 mths 29 days Search for "Bebb" at rugbyleagueproject.org
2 Ian Perryment 28 November 1972 (age 50)31 March 1996 Right wing 126002423 yrs 4 mths 3 days Search for "Perryment" at rugbyleagueproject.org
3 Andy Currier 8 April 1966 (age 57)31 March 1996Right-Centre 2214005629 yrs 11 mths 23 days
4 Mike Riley 22 November 1970 (age 52)31 March 1996Left-Centre 227002825 yrs 4 mths 9 days [3]
5 Sean Marshall 1 June 1968 (age 55)31 March 1996 Left wing 2115006027 yrs 9 mths 30 days Search for "Marshall" at rugbyleagueproject.org
6 David Rees 23 September 1965 (age 58)31 March 1996 Stand-off 31401230 yrs 6 mths 8 days Search for "Rees" at rugbyleagueproject.org
7 James Churcher 28 May 1973 (age 50)31 March 1996 Scrum-half 10201922 yrs 10 mths 3 days for "Churcher" at rugbyleagueproject.org
8 Barry Picton 29 April 1972 (age 51)31 March 1996Left-Prop 5000023 yrs 11 mths 2 days Search for "Picton" at rugbyleagueproject.org
9 Byron Lloyd 19 April 1970 (age 53)31 March 1996 Hooker 4000025 yrs 11 mths 12 days Search for "Lloyd" at rugbyleagueproject.org
10 Hugh Waddell 13 November 1958 (age 64)31 March 1996Right-Prop 15100436 yrs 6 mths 30 daysalternative (incorrect?) date of birth of 1 September 1959 given at walesrugbyleague.co.uk
11 Matthew Taylor 28 April 1973 (age 50)31 March 1996Left-Second-row 1000022 yrs 11 mths 3 days Search for "Taylor" at rugbyleagueproject.org
12 Andrew Lippiatt 16 October 1975 (age 48)31 March 1996Right-Second-row 5000020 yrs 5 mths 15 days Search for "Lippiatt" at rugbyleagueproject.org
13 Dave Williams 20 May 1967 (age 56)31 March 1996 Loose forward 94001628 yrs 10 mths 11 days Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Heritage № 376
14 James Alvis 1 September 1970 (age 53)31 March 1996145002025 yrs 6 mths 30 days Search for "Alvis" at rugbyleagueproject.org
15 Mike Jarman 14 September 1971 (age 52)31 March 19961000024 yrs 6 mths 17 days Search for "Jarman" at rugbyleagueproject.org
16 John McAtee 11 November 1975 (age 47)5 April 19963000020 yrs 4 mths 25 days [4]
17 Anthony Hatton 9 October 1975 (age 48)5 April 1996215042420 yrs 5 mths 27 days Search for "Hatton" at rugbyleagueproject.org
18 Nick Romanello 22 April 1968 (age 55)5 April 19964000027 yrs 11 mths 14 days Search for "Romanello" at rugbyleagueproject.org
19 Mark Isherwood 9 March 1969 (age 54)5 April 19965000027 yrs 0 mths 27 days Search for "Isherwood" at rugbyleagueproject.org
20 Clint Rylance 1 September 1973 (age 50)5 April 199610000022 yrs 7 mths 4 days Search for "Rylance" at rugbyleagueproject.org
21 Anthony Thomas 19 July 1967 (age 56)5 April 19967000028 yrs 8 mths 17 days Search for "Thomas" at rugbyleagueproject.org
22 Mike Healy 29 August 1965 (age 58)8 April 1996811804030 yrs 7 mths 10 days Search for "Healy" at rugbyleagueproject.org
23 Mark Wysocki 16 June 1965 (age 58)8 April 19966200830 yrs 9 mths 23 days Search for "Wysocki" at rugbyleagueproject.org
24 Neil Kelly 20 January 1973 (age 50)12 April 19965100423 yrs 2 mths 23 days Search for "Kelly" at rugbyleagueproject.org
25 Ian Moffatt 30 June 1970 (age 53)12 April 19961000025 yrs 9 mths 13 days Search for "Moffatt" at rugbyleagueproject.org
26 John Fieldhouse 28 June 1962 (age 61)21 April 199614000033 yrs 9 mths 24 days
27 Gerald Williams 4 January 1968 (age 55)21 April 199618200828 yrs 3 mths 17 days
28 Nigel Morris 2 October 1974 (age 49)5 May 19965200821 yrs 7 mths 3 days Search for "Morris" at rugbyleagueproject.org
29 Paul Williamson 27 November 1969 (age 53)12 May 199633001226 yrs 5 mths 15 days [5]
30 Steve Warburton 6 February 1969 (age 54)12 May 19966100427 yrs 3 mths 6 days [6]
31 Paul Moriarty 16 July 1964 (age 59)17 May 19965100431 yrs 10 mths 1 days Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Heritage № 350
32 Gerald Cordle 29 September 1960 (age 63)26 May 199664001635 yrs 7 mths 27 days Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Heritage № 357
33 Mark Wallington 12 July 1972 (age 51)26 May 1996144031923 yrs 10 mths 14 days [7]
34 Paul Mills 17 April 1974 (age 49)16 June 199611100422 yrs 1 mths 30 days Search for "Mills" at rugbyleagueproject.org
35 Nick Jenkins 24 February 1974 (age 49)16 June 199611200822 yrs 3 mths 23 days [8]
36 Stewart Cash 12 January 1973 (age 50)16 June 199611000023 yrs 5 mths 4 days Search for "Cash" at rugbyleagueproject.org
37 Shane McIntosh 22 December 1968 (age 54)23 June 19962000027 yrs 6 mths 1 days Search for "McIntosh" at rugbyleagueproject.org
38 Neil Mawdsley 28 July 1972 (age 51)30 June 19965100423 yrs 11 mths 2 days [9]
39 Marcus Barnard 7 October 1970 (age 53)30 June 19968200825 yrs 8 mths 23 days Search for "Barnard" at rugbyleagueproject.org
40 Nigel Edmunds 27 June 1969 (age 54)14 July 19967000027 yrs 0 mths 17 days Search for "Edmunds" at rugbyleagueproject.org
41 Paul John 25 January 1970 (age 53)14 July 19963000026 yrs 5 mths 19 days Search for "John" at rugbyleagueproject.org
42 John Doherty 6 January 1977 (age 46)28 July 199651221019 yrs 6 mths 22 days Search for "Doherty" at rugbyleagueproject.org

Seasons

SeasonLeague Play-offs
DivisionPWDLFAPtsPos
1996 Division Two 2212010528548246thDid not qualify

Related Research Articles

David Watkins was a Welsh dual-code rugby international, having played both rugby union and rugby league football for both codes' national teams between 1963 and 1974. He captained the British and Irish Lions rugby union side, and made six appearances for the Great Britain rugby league team. With the Wales national rugby league team he played in every match of the 1975 World Cup, and with English club Salford he played more than 400 games over 12 seasons.

Rugby league is a sport played in Wales. The governing body of the game in Wales is the Wales Rugby League.

Rugby is played in Cardiff in both rugby league and rugby union forms.

William Raymond "Ray" Cale was a Welsh dual-code international rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Wales, and at club level for Ebbw Vale RFC, Newbridge RFC and Pontypool RFC, as a flanker, and representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for St. Helens, as a second-row, or loose forward.

Rowland David Phillips is a Welsh former rugby union and rugby league footballer.

Mark Alun Jones is a Welsh dual-code international professional rugby union and rugby league rugby player who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played representative level rugby union for Wales, and at club level for Tredegar RFC, Tredegar Ironsides RFC, Neath RFC, Ebbw Vale RFC, Pontypool RFC (2001–03), Aberavon RFC, as a flanker, i.e. number 6 or 7, or number eight, and representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level for Hull F.C. and Warrington, as a prop, or second-row, i.e. number 8 or 10, or, 11 or 12.

Paul Ringer is an English-born former Welsh dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer. He played representative level rugby union for Wales and at club level for Ebbw Vale RFC, Llanelli RFC and Leicester, as a flanker. Having turned professional, he played representative level rugby league for Wales and at club level for Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons, as a loose forward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Ellis (rugby)</span> Wales international rugby league & union footballer

Kevin Stewart Ellis is a Welsh former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. A Great Britain and Wales national representative. He played club level rugby union (RU) for Bridgend RFC, Maesteg RFC, Treorchy RFC, Sale Sharks, London Irish, Cardiff RFC, Pontypool RFC and Ebbw Vale RFC, at representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for Warrington Wolves, Workington Town, Gold Coast Chargers, Bridgend Blue Bulls and Celtic Crusaders, as a stand-off, scrum-half, or loose forward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy O'Neill (rugby)</span> Rugby player

William O'Neill, often recorded as Billy O'Neil or Billy Neil, was a Welsh dual-code international rugby union and rugby league front row player who played club level rugby union (RU) for Cardiff and Aberavon, and as a professional rugby league footballer he represented Warrington. O'Neill was capped eleven times for the Wales rugby union national team, and twice for the Wales national league team. Although playing throughout the 1904/1905 season, he missed the classic 1905 Wales win over the Original All Blacks. He is often registered in many sources under the name Billy Neill or Neil because the Welsh Rugby Union didn't want him to sound like he was Irish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Dowell</span> Wales dual-code international rugby footballer

William Dowell was a Welsh dual-code international rugby union and rugby league footballer who played rugby union for Newport and Pontypool and rugby league with Warrington RLFC. He won seven caps for the Wales rugby union team and after switching to league, played one match for the Wales league squad.

John Mantle was a Welsh dual-code international rugby player. He was capped for Wales at rugby union, and Great Britain and Wales in rugby league.

William Davies, also known by the nickname of "Avon", was a Welsh dual-code international rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1910s and 1920s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Wales, and at club level for Aberavon and Swansea as a centre, and representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level for Leeds, as a wing.

Arthur Bassett was a Welsh dual-code international rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Wales, and at club level for Maesteg, Neath, Glamorgan Police RFC, Aberavon RFC, Cardiff, switching to professional rugby football in 1939. He played representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level for Halifax and York, as a wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ted Ward</span> Former GB & Wales international rugby league footballer

Edward H. Ward was a Welsh rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, and coached rugby league in the 1950s. He played club level rugby union (RU) for Amman United RFC, Llanelli RFC, and representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level for Wigan, Oldham and Cardiff RLFC, as a goal-kicking centre, and coached club level rugby league (RL) for Wigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elliot Kear</span> Wales international rugby league footballer

Elliot Kear, is a Welsh professional rugby league footballer who plays as a wing, centre or fullback for the Batley Bulldogs in the RFL Championship and Wales at international level. He is now the record 2nd all time Welsh cap holder with 32 caps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glyn Turner</span> Wales dual-code international rugby footballer

Glyndwr Turner is a Welsh former rugby union footballer who played scrum-half i.e. number 9 position for Welsh club side Ebbw Vale RFC between 1966 and 1974 before turning professional to play rugby league in England. On turning professional Turner signed for Hull Kingston Rovers in 1974 playing for them until 1978, before moving to rivals Hull F.C. in 1978 where he played until he was forced to retire in 1980 due to injury, as a centre or stand-off, i.e. number 3 or 4, or 6.

Robert Wanbon was a Welsh dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Wales, and at club level for Aberavon RFC, as a number eight, and representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for St. Helens and Warrington, as a prop, or second-row, i.e. number 8 or 10, or, 11 or 12, during the era of contested scrums.

Steve Parry is a Welsh professional rugby league footballer who plays for the West Wales Raiders in Betfred League 1, and at representative level for Wales. He previously played at club level for the Cardiff Demons and the South Wales Scorpions as a stand-off or hooker.

Melville "Mel" Aaron Rosser sometimes recorded as Melvin and Melvyn was a Welsh international rugby centre who played rugby union for Penarth and Cardiff and later turned to professional rugby league joining first Leeds, then Castleford, and then York. Rosser played international rugby for Wales under both union and league codes, and toured Australia with the Great Britain rugby league team in 1928.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyssul Griffiths</span> Wales international rugby league & union footballer

Tyssul "Tuss" Griffiths was a Welsh rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. He played representative level rugby union for Wales XV, and at club level for Newport RFC, as a full-back, and representative level rugby league for Wales, and at club level for Hunslet, Doncaster, Halifax, and Dewsbury, as a fullback.

References

  1. ↑ "The final (so far) attempt to establish a Welsh professional Rugby League team was the South Wales Club which played for the 1996 season in the Second Division". members.tripod.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "South Wales RLFC 1996". walesrugbyleague.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Mike Riley Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "John McAtee Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. ↑ "Paul Williamson Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. ↑ "Steve Warburton Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Mark Wallington Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  8. ↑ "Nick Jenkins Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "Neil Mawdsley Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.

See also

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.