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New Tredegar RFC The Club was founded in 1977 when Ray Davies (Mulldoon) and Keith Hynam (Tommy Bonar) decided it was time to start a Senior rugby team in New Tredegar. Although the Youth XV had already been in existence since 1963 there was no Senior village side for these Youth players to join and they consequently left for other sides in the area. A few characters were press ganged into service as Committeemen, such as Keith Hynam, Ron Meek (Fixture Secretary), Ivor Leonard, Reg Ingram, Dai Vaughan, Billy Mills, Ken Baker, Ian Jones, Malcolm Thomas with Ray Davies (Chairman), Phillip Price (Secretary) and Andrew Millar (Treasurer) as the first Officers of the Club. Soon the Chairmanship was taken over by the one and only Ron Hope who ran the Club with the spirit of fun and hard work that still stands today. |
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The first two Coaches were Mulldoon and Gareth Davies and who had a mixture of boys in their first year out of Youth Rugby, a banned soccer player (Trucky) and a few old timers such as John Hope, Alan Johnson, and Wayne Vowles etc. |
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The first headquarters were in the Bonar Law Club and the Club joined the Gwent District Rugby Union. Ron Meek had hastily arranged a full fixture list and the boys were soon discovering what the back of the goalposts looked like. Despite some heavy defeats, the one thing that stood out was the team spirit and the after match sing songs led by Jeff Thomas (Tin Tin) and the fact that whenever we played away the bus stayed until stop tap. This continued for a few years and then we discovered an even later drop off spot in the old RENCO Club. There was a young bouncer on the door who later became one of the cornerstones of the side for many years. As we all trooped across the long concrete path he could be seen disappearing inside trying to lock the doors before we could get there. Yes, little did Jeff Morgan (or as he’s most commonly known as Charlie Chan) realise he would later play over 650 games for the Club as a fine prop forward and Clubman. The Club progressed both on and off the playing field with new players joining and the founder players reaping the reward of their hard work in training. In only the third year the Club started a Second XV which is still just as strong and an important part of the Club today. This year the First XV reached the Semi Final of the Cyrus Davies Cup losing a tight game to the eventual Cup winners Nantyglo who also reached the final of the Brewers Cup that year. This was a fine achievement to make the Semi Final, as at that time the Gwent District was one of the strongest Districts in Wales with strong sides such as Fleur De Lys, Tredegar Ironsides, Pontllanfraith, Brynithel, Hollybush and Trefil a major force Welsh District Rugby. The Club continued to improve playing performances with some of the better players such as John Williams, Ryan Buckley, Chris Evans, Dylan Meredith and Ian Evans going on to play First Class Rugby. When the Gwent District set up a league structure the First XV played in the First Division and had many a hard battle with some of the afore mentioned sides. In the early 90’s the side reached one of it’s peaks culminating in two Cyrus Davies Semi Finals and eventually winning the Cup in 1994 beating Deri in a close final at Blackwood. The Club also reached the Brewers Cup Quarter Finals twice and Semi Finalists in 1995 losing a close match to Fairwater at Rodney Parade. They also won the Division One title and the Second XV also won their Second Team Cup twice during this period.
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The 1994 –95 Season was to be the last played as a District side, as the Club was granted full Welsh Rugby Union status and thus began another exciting periods in the short lifetime. One disappointment was felt that the side never got to a Brewers Cup Final at the old Arms Park, an achievement which many felt the players deserved during this period, but still bigger challenges lay ahead. The side played their first season in Division 8 East and took on Machen at home in their first encounter. Although the side suffered a first defeat the signs were there that we would be very competitive. Indeed, as the season progressed, so did the confidence and emphasis on the style of rugby that the Club still plays today. The season ended as Champions of the Division, scoring an average of four tries per game in the process. The presentation evening at the Angel Hotel was a great night for the lucky ten selected to represent the Club, so much so, that one individual failed to make the bus home. Now there’s a recurring story. Since that inaugural season the side has progressed to Division 3 East mainly through the League re-structure programme and also gaining promotion from 4 East as Runners Up. During this short history, the Club has had a few Headquarters, moving from the Bonar Law to the Liberal Club, on to the Tredegar Arms and on Friday November 11th 1988 the Club took over the Liberal Club as it’s own Headquarters. In 1999 the Brewery debts were paid off and the Club now owns its Headquarters and has a good Social aspect as well as the strong rugby side of things. The Club has come a long way in its short history thanks to the hard work of many individuals far too many to mention. Some of the original founder members are still actively working on the Committee or in other capacities, such as Ray Davies, Wayne Thomas, Malcolm Thomas, Mervyn Edwards, Keith Macarthur, David Jones, Gerwyn Evans, Ray Hopkins, Jack Lias and many others. Long may this great Club continue to flourish and keep it’s sense of enjoyment, team spirit and good rugby values. By Ray "Mull Doon" Davies Click here to visit New Tredegar RFC home page |
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