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The whole of the club's history is far too detailed to go into on these pages. The history was put together by John Kelland during the centenary year and has been published in the booklet "Five Golden Keys" a few of which remain at the club house or can be purchased through this site at the supporters club page. The extracts below are totally thanks to John Kelland and the above mentioned booklet.
Llantwit Fardre
the present name is an anglicised contraction of its old Welsh form "Llan-Illtyd Faerdref". A reasonably accurate interpretation of Llan-Illtyd Faerdref would be "The church of St. Illtyd on the home farm of the Prince."
The parish comprises five main villages - Llantwit, Efail Isaf, Church Village, Upper Church Village and Tonteg. Originally the parish was more extensive and it is believed to have extended as far as High Street, Pontypridd to a point at the junction of the Taff and Rhondda Rivers. The Club Badge comprises of a Welsh Dragon holding a bunch of five keys, symbolic of St. Illtyd celebrated as the saint of the five keys of;-
Youth, Learning, Chivalry, Priesthood and Knighthood.
His memory is associated with the great fifth century college of Llantwit Major.
The Early Years
The Llantwit Fardre Parish Magazine 1956 contains the following statement; "Parish Rugby was played as early as 1886 on the Duffryn Bach field and continued to be played there until 1908 when the team moved to Tynywaun field, Hollybush, where the game continued until the Great War. At about the same time as the senior side, a junior club came into existence. Before 1908 this team played in the field where, later, The Parade and Lewis Street were built." This suggests that two rugby sides existed in the parish at the end of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century. Using 1886 as the starting point for my (John Kelland) research I went through the sports sections of every Friday, Saturday and Monday edition of The South Wales daily news, The Western Mail and The South wales Echo printed during the rugby seasons from 1886 onwards. Contrary to my expectations the sports sections of these news papers contained far more rugby details than present day newspapers. It seemed that every town, village, church and pub had a rugby team. There were detailed lists of fixtures, teams, results and referees.
Many familiar names were there;- Pentyrch, Llantrisant, Pontyclun, Treforest, Cilfynydd, Pontypridd etc. but not a single mention of Llantwit Fardre. If a Llantwit side had been in existence, it would have been reasonable to expect them to have played one of the 'local rugby sides'. The only mention of a side playing in the parish was in The South Wales daily news November 5th 1898 when Llantrisant Juniors played Church Village Juniors at the Vicarage Field Llantrisant. Perhaps church Village Juniors were the junior side mentioned in the Parish magazine 1956. A side called Gelynnog rangers played at Beddau during the 1897-98 season. Although there were plenty of references to them playing local sides during the season, there was no reference to them playing Llantwit Fardre.
A South Wales Daily News article for December 1900 named a Llantwit Fardre team that played Ystrad Stars. Some of these players appear in photographs of the 1908 and 1911 Llantwit Fardre teams in the Clubhouse, confirmation that Llantwit Fardre RFC was in existence in the season 1900-01.
1911-12
By the 1911-12 season three sides played in Llantwit. Llantwit Firsts, Llantwit Reserves and Llantwit Juniors. It is worth making it clear at this point that 'Juniors' had nothing to do with the age of the individuals playing. Junior rugby sides played at a lower level of rugby than senior sides. Llantwit Juniors may have been a different club than Llantwit Fardre or part of the same club.
1919-25
After the First World War, Llantwit Fardre Rugby Football Club was a member of the Pontypridd and Rhondda League. There was a First XV and a Reserve XV. During the seasons 1919-20, 20-21, 21-22 the league included Llantwit Fardre, Pontypridd Reserves, Treorchy All Whites, Treorchy Boys, Treorchy Reserves, Ferndale, Cilfynydd, Ynysybwl, Talbot, Cambrian Boys, Trebanog, Ynyswen Stars, Penyrenglyn, Caegarw, Tylorstown, Blaenllechau, Penygraig, Blaenrhondda and Wattstown.
1926
From 1926 onwards, information about Llantwit Fardre Rugby Club is hard to come by. An article in the Welsh Rugby Magazine, June 1970, suggests that the club disbanded due to pitch problems but other factors may have played a part. The Llantwit Fardre Parish Magazine 1956 states "An abortive attempt was made to start a Rugby League side." It is a fact that in the late 1920's the Rugby League Commission For Wales was set up by The Rugby league with a view to establishing Rugby League Football in South wales. In 1928 there was a Glamorgan Amateur League which included sides from Cardiff, Pontypridd, Rhydyfelin (2 sides) Nantgarw, Tonyrefail, Norton Rangers, Abertridwr, Beddau, Graigwen, Cilfynydd, Penycoedcae, Abercynon and Treforest. A Pontypridd and District League also existed but there is no reference to Llantwit Fardre Rugby Football Club in either of these leagues.
Some of the sides mentioned above eg. cardiff and Pontypridd were separate from the Rugby Union sides with the same name but others such as Beddau, Nantgarw, Abertridwr, Gilfach Goch and Trebanog were only Rugby League sides.
Soccer was on the up in the parish. There were successful soccer sides in Tonteg and Church Village. This may have contributed to the Rugby Club's demise. Whatever the reason or reasons, Rugby Football took a back seat in Llantwit Fardre until 1946 but there is some evidence that rugby survived in the parish in a much reduced role. The Football Express (Football Echo) saturday 12th October 1929 contains the following;- "Dr. D Washington Evans of Llantwit fardre, for years an ardent supporter of amateur junior rugby has consented to act as President of the Union. (Pontypridd and Rhondda Rugby Union.)" Dr. washington Evans captained Llantwit Fardre Rugby Football Club in the 1920's when they reformed after the First World war. He also became President of llantwit Fardre Rugby Club when it reformed in 1946; so he provides a link between the 1920's and the 1940's.
The Present day Club 1946-60
The present day club was founded in 1946 as a result of a casual meeting at the Carpenter's Arms, Efail Isaf. A public meeting was held at Bethel Baptist Church in The Parade, Church Village, on Wednesday 22nd May 1946. This was later to become the site of the new clubhouse in 1961. In June 1946 the local cricket club was contacted with regard to joining with the newly formed rugby club, but nothing came of this.
On Saturday 19th September 1946 the Club played its first match in the Pontypridd & Rhondda League away to Rhondda Transport, and won 11 points to nil. The Club colours were black shirts with white collars. From 1946 to the end of the 1949 season home fixtures were played on fields at Duffryn Dowlais Farm, thanks to assistance provided by farmer Granville Hughes. At the beginning of the 1949-50 season the team transferred to the Vicarage Field owned by farmer Dilwyn Jenkins. Club Headquarters and changing rooms were based at the Cross Inn, Church Village, some distance from the playing fields, so on match days the team had a long walk before kick off. Within 3 seasons the Club achieved membership of the WRU. By the end of the 1949-50 season the Club were fielding a second fifteen.
From the Observer, Leader & Free Press - Saturday October 7th 1950.
Llantwit's election to membership of the Welsh Rugby Union after three full seasons since the formation of the club has caused a surprise in Welsh rugger circles, writes Frank James. It has been recognised, however, that the honour was the reward of playing attractive football and conducting the club according to the spirit of the rules laid down by the governing body. Llantwit are not a "super side" and may never progress beyond the front rank of the second class, but many of our present day "glamour" clubs could take lessons from their example.The big thing about them is that they are a team; players, officials and rank and file supporters all work together to further the cause of rugby and to maintain the clubs healthy position. As an example of the fine team spirit prevailing, it is worth noting that no record of individual scorers is compiled and no one is likely to be hailed as a record breaker. The team scores the points and it is a matter of indifference who touches down for the try or kicks the goal. (Editors note - another 5 paragraphs follow, in equal praise and can be read in the official history)
In the 1950's the club went from strength to strength. A major step forward took place in 1951 when the Llantrisant and Llantwit Fardre Rural District Council made a field available at Cae Fardre, Church Village. It was officially opened on September 1st 1951 with Pontypridd RFC providing the opposition.
On March 25th 1952 the first Club Constitution was drawn up. The Club Badge was chosen from a design by Dilwyn Lewis - local historian, school teacher and author of "Under The Parish Lantern" July 8th 1952. Recipients of the badge in the 1950's and 1960's had to earn the right to wear it. A Club Badge Committee was set up in October 1952 and club members did not receive a badge unless it was first passed by the Badge Committee.
Club colours were still black and white but blue and white jerseys were also in use together with a strip of green jerseys.
Local rugby was going through a period of much change and activity in the 1950's. Beddau RFC was reformed in 1952 and, on occasions from 1953-55 were given use of Llantwit's playing fields and dressing rooms.
It would be inconceivable, nowadays, to imagine rugby international matches not being televised. Rugby as we know it would not be able to survive without the revenue from television companies. Also, the number of tickets allocated to clubs for international matches is far from sufficient to meet the growing demands from rugby supporters. Back in the 1950's things were completely different. International matches were not televised and even smaller clubs, like Llantwit Fardre received an allocation of international tickets that can only be envied today. Home Internationals - 53 stand tickets, 25 enclosure tickets, 200 field tickets. England v Wales at Twickenham - 4 stand tickets, 25 enclosure tickets and 45 field tickets.
Observer, Leader & Free Press February 25th 1961 - Rugby Clubhouse Opened At Llantwit Fardre (one third of article copied here, the rest in the Centenary booklet.)
The new £4,500 Llantwit Fardre RFC Clubhouse was opened officially by Mayor W.H. Clement, Secretary of the Welsh RU on Tuesday night. The guests includedprominent Welsh sportsmen and local civic dignitaries. Club officials paid tribute to the former chairman, the late councillor Dewi Chubb.
Gap to be filled in as and when webmaster has time.............................!
1994-5
Winners of League division 8A Central and promoted to division 7 along with Treherbert who were runners up.
1995-6
Winners of League division 7B and promoted to division 6
1996-7
Finished mid table in division 6 Central. The league was reorganised and Llantwit were placed in division 5 Central
1997-8
1998-9 The league was reorganised and Llantwit were placed in division 4 East
1999-2000
Centenary Year, seniors in Division 4 gain promotion to Division 3
2000-2001
Firsts in division 3, Seconds win the Ifor Williams Cup
2001-2002
Firsts go the whole season without losing a match and gain promotion to Division 2. TV cameras at the last match with the celebrations shown on BBC Scrum V. Coach Justin Burnell has made a coaching statement which will see him go on to coach Premiership side Cardiff , the Wales under 19 side and be Director of the Blues Academy - all three positions at the same time..
2002-2003
Firsts in Division 2, at the end of the season Division 2 and 3 are split and renamed Divisions 2 West and 2 East.
2003-2004
Penygraig, who won the Silver Ball Final, against Pontypridd at the end of last season, had a series of appeals against a mass suspension. After the final, most of the squad had refused a drugs test and were suspended. The appeals went on until May 2004 when it was decided that the 17 players would be suspended for 15 months each, with their secretary suspended for 2 years. The results on their league position were devastating, as they conceded 2076 points, regularly being beaten by over 100 points a game. Throughout the season they only won one game - and that was against us !
The Cae Fardre pitch is mentioned above in the history on many occassions. During this year it was bulldozed up to make way for the new Garth Olwg school pitch. Farewell for a while to the place immortalised in history as the sacred home of Jenks' kicking practice. See his autobiography at rugby where you can read such snippets as;- "Your throat is dry, your cheeks are burning, you feel breathless. All that stands between you and glory is an oval-shaped ball and a set of posts. You sense the nervousness of the crowd, some of whom are willing you to succeed while others are doing their best to put you off. You wonder why you are not sitting in front of the television with your feet up, clutching a can of cold beer and watching someone else audition for a part he is not sure of: hero or fall guy. You only wonder for a second. You blot out the noise, the nerves, the tension and the occasion. You pretend you are somewhere else, long ago, when nobody apart from your family and your school friends had ever heard of you. You are in a park not far from your home practising your goal kicking. No one is around apart from a couple of souls walking their dogs, but they do not take even a cursory interest. There is nothing at stake: you can miss everything and tell your father you were unerringly accurate. Only you know."
Llantwit finished 4th in the league after a poor start and a long unbeaten run at the end of the season. The speeches at the Club Dinner held in May, were very optimistic as we already have a strong squad. Head coach Matthew Lloyd was helped out by Damian Lawler, Greg prosser, Philip Jones and Nigel Powell while Dai Barnett was physio for about the twentieth year.
The Second Team had an indifferent league season but managed to reach the final of the Coleman Cup losing narrowly to Beddau - the WRU officials at the game commented that it had been the best final that they had seen in many a season. Chris Smith and Glyn Williams looked after the team all year.
The Youth team had a tremendous season, not only winning their league but also winning the Merit Table Final. Coaching staff were Julian Burnell, Chris Morgan, Robert Searle and Alan Saunders. Barry Laskey was manager while Owen Pearce carried out the physio function.
The season was rounded off by the club being invited to play in The Millennium Stadium during Neil Jenkins Testimonial, against Barking who were Jason Leonard's first club. We won at senior, under 8's and under 9's level - but the important thing was that we saw Neil off and the players got to play in a magnificent setting. The main match, Jenkins v Leonard was full of present and past internationals.
2004 - 2005
The highlight of the season was not only playing in the final rounds of the Konica Cup but beating Llandovery away. It was deemed the performance of the round and Llantwit were presented with a silver plate at the Millennium Stadium in recognition. One game off the quarter finals we went to Beddau and went out of the competition by a narrow margin. BBC Wales scrum five attended and were totally amazed by the size of the crowd for this local derby. Unfortunately, unknown to scrum five and every one else, the crowd were apparently mainly non paying sponsors and the 50% revenue to Llantwit was on a par with a normal league game at Parc Canol.
Fixtures were hard to arrange as yet again we were without the Cae Fardre pitch, a change in contractors seeing chaos and delays.
In the league it was a case of being there or thereabouts all through the season but, being a village side, when it comes to a crowded end of season with rearranged matches and loads of injuries, we fell back to fourth position for the second year in a row.
Financially, the club became stable and, at an extraordinary general meeting, the members voted to take out a mortgage on the house next to the club house, to renovate it, and to let it to families. For the sake of the clubs history the first tennants were Sarah and Andre Boone from New Zealand who arrived this year as a twosome (Andre playing centre for the club) and left the following year with baby Imogen to return to New Zealand.
2005 - 2006
Apart from not having a cup run the history of the club for this year could read "see above".
The Cae Fardre pitch was finished but is not playable there being a problem with drainage that solicitors and contractors are trying to sort out.
For the third year in a row we finished in fourth spot in division 2 East, this time with three to gain promotion, and, yes, it was down to rearranged fixtures and end of season injuries.
The club was suffering from members travelling to other hostelries to watch sport on Sky. A Sky sub committee was set up and did admirably by forming a Supa Lotta sweepstake, drawn every Monday, the proceeds gaining the club a projector and large screen, not only for the bar but for the lounge also. Well done Sky committee. The clubhouse is now the premier place in the village for watching sport, even if that meant watching Syr Clive's Lions fail in New Zealand due to picking English oldies rather than Welsh young ones from a Grand Slam winning team.
2006 - 2007
Cae Fardre pitch is back - it is playable and also flat for the first time in its history. We also have the use of an all weather pitch which we share with the new school. A new coach as Matthew Lloyd moves on and his position is taken up by Steve Goddard, who has been with the club for a while, captaining his side at Youth, Second and First Team level.
Early exits from both cups mean we can concentrate on the league but 7 games into the season we are, yet again, suffering from injury and losing to teams at the bottom of our division. As above where Penygraig won their only game of the season against us, this season we manage to lose at home and away to Abergavenny who only win four games. We wonder why we can raise our game against the higher clubs but not those at the bottom.
The injury crisis gets worse with at one point 17 players from the senior squad injured. This along with the break for the Autumn internationals and then the flooding for a number of weeks of the Parc Canol pitch, meaans that we are struggling and playing catch up rugby at the end of the season.
Things go badly for us and teams that are struggling bring in permit players to face us pushing us further down the league. Our fate is sealed when Nantymoel beat an already promoted and weakened Rumney team in the penultimate match of the season to leave us third from bottom with three to go down. Division 3 next year. The good thing to come out of the season is the number of players from youth and seconds that have stepped into the first team and will now be very difficult to dislodge. We are, once again, a community village side with players moving from mini and junior to first team level over the years.
The youth team won the Taff Rhondda Youth District Cup with six players from that side pushing for places in the senior sides.
Llantwit Twos had a disapointing season as they played little rugby due to the unavailability of games, referees and players.