Pontypridd Rugby Football Club ( cy, Clwb Rygbi Pontypridd) are a
rugby union
Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...
team from
Pontypridd
() ( colloquially: Ponty) is a town and a community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales.
Geography
comprises the electoral wards of , Hawthorn, Pontypridd Town, 'Rhondda', Rhydyfelin Central/Ilan ( Rhydfelen), Trallwng ( Trallwn) and Treforest (). ...
,
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Rhondda Cynon Taf (; RCT; also spelt as Rhondda Cynon Taff) is a county borough in the south-east of Wales. It consists of five valleys: the Rhondda Fawr, Rhondda Fach, Cynon, Taff (Welsh: ''Taf'') and Ely valleys, plus a number of towns and vill ...
, Wales. They compete in the Indigo Group Premiership, which they won for four consecutive seasons between 2012 and 2015, and the WRU National Cup, which they have won on 6 occasions, with the most recent being in 2014.
Established in 1876, Pontypridd RFC play their home games on the banks of the
River Rhondda
The River Rhondda ( cy, Afon Rhondda) is a river in South Wales with two major tributaries, Rhondda Fawr (meaning ''big Rhondda'') and Rhondda Fach (meaning ''little Rhondda'').
Description
The river has two major tributaries, the ''Rhondda F ...
Pontypridd
() ( colloquially: Ponty) is a town and a community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales.
Geography
comprises the electoral wards of , Hawthorn, Pontypridd Town, 'Rhondda', Rhydyfelin Central/Ilan ( Rhydfelen), Trallwng ( Trallwn) and Treforest (). ...
,
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Rhondda Cynon Taf (; RCT; also spelt as Rhondda Cynon Taff) is a county borough in the south-east of Wales. It consists of five valleys: the Rhondda Fawr, Rhondda Fach, Cynon, Taff (Welsh: ''Taf'') and Ely valleys, plus a number of towns and vill ...
in Wales, with their age-grade section playing at Taff Vale Park in Pontypridd, and Pontypridd High School Fields in nearby Cilfynydd.
Pontypridd RFC experienced a successful period during the 1990s under head coach, Dennis John, referred to as the club's "Golden Age", and enjoyed further success between 2001 and 2003 with the appointment of head coach,
Lynn Howells
Lynn Howells (born 29 May 1950) is a Welsh rugby union coach, who until March 2018 was the head coach of the Romanian national team, haven been the manager of the national side for 10 months prior to his appointment. Howells, born in Maerdy in ...
. 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, and eventual demise of Pontypridd's " Celtic Warriors" region.
Pontypridd RFC have since refinanced and restructured, and, despite a mooted stadium sale, continue to be regarded as a beacon for rugby in the south Wales Valleys.
Pontypridd RFC have produced numerous players for the
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team ( cy, Tîm rygbi'r undeb cenedlaethol Cymru) represents Wales in men's international rugby union. Its governing body, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), was established in 1881, the same year that Wales played the ...
and have long thrived on the 'unfashionable club' tag.
Club history
Early history
Pontypridd RFC are generally accepted to have been formed in 1876Smith (1980), pg 26. by a number of young local men who had moved into the area during the
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes in Great Britain, continental Europe, and the United States, that occurred during the period from around 1760 to about 1820–1840. This transition included going f ...
of the late 19th century. However, the first reported match involving Pontypridd was played on 18 December 1873 against Roath (Cardiff). They were represented at a meeting in
Tenby
Tenby ( cy, Dinbych-y-pysgod, lit=fortlet of the fish) is both a walled seaside town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, on the western side of Carmarthen Bay, and a local government community.
Notable features include of sandy beaches and the Pembroke ...
in 1880 that would later lead to the formation of the
Welsh Rugby Union
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU; cy, Undeb Rygbi Cymru) is the governing body of rugby union in the country of Wales, recognised by the sport's international governing body, World Rugby.
The WRU is responsible for the running of rugby in Wales, o ...
in 1881Smith (1980), pg 37. and had a player,
Edward Treharne
Edward Llewellyn TreharneHarris (1997), pg 22. (22 March 1862 – 29 December 1904) Scrum.com was a Welsh , named in the very first Welsh International side also in 1881, who also played for
Cowbridge Grammar School
Cowbridge Grammar School was one of the best-known schools in Wales until its closure in 1974. It was replaced by Cowbridge Comprehensive School.
Founded in the 17th century by Sir John Stradling and refounded by Sir Leoline Jenkins, it had cl ...
as a student.Smith (1980), pg 38. Pontypridd supplied two more players to the Welsh team before the turn of the century, Tom Williams and
Ernie George
Ernest Edward George (1871 – 28 November 1952) was a Welsh international rugby union forward who played club rugby for a variety of teams, but is most associated with Pontypridd and Cardiff. George was capped three times for Wales between 18 ...
.
In their early days, Pontypridd RFC played their home games at Taff Vale Park in
Treforest
Treforest ( cy, Trefforest) is a village in the south-east of Pontypridd, in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It is situated in the Treforest electoral ward, along with the village of Glyntaff (or Glyn-Taf). It is part of the P ...
, the current home of their junior section, before moving to the ''People's Park'' alongside the
River Rhondda
The River Rhondda ( cy, Afon Rhondda) is a river in South Wales with two major tributaries, Rhondda Fawr (meaning ''big Rhondda'') and Rhondda Fach (meaning ''little Rhondda'').
Description
The river has two major tributaries, the ''Rhondda F ...
. However, in 1908 they moved once more to a new home in Ynysyngharad Park in Pontypridd itself,Thomas (1980), pg 225. 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
Llanelli ("St Elli's Parish"; ) is a market town and the largest community in Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed, Wales. It is located on the Loughor estuary north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carma ...
,
Swansea
Swansea (; cy, Abertawe ) is a coastal city and the second-largest city of Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the C ...
,
Neath
Neath (; cy, Castell-nedd) is a market town and community situated in the Neath Port Talbot County Borough, Wales. The town had a population of 50,658 in 2011. The community of the parish of Neath had a population of 19,258 in 2011. Historica ...
,
Cardiff
Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. It forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a ...
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. This move was immediately followed by success in the unofficial league championship, winning it in 1975–76, 1977–78 and 1978–79Thomas (1980), pg 224. 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
Cardiff Rugby Football Club ( cy, Clwb Rygbi Caerdydd) is a rugby union club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876Parry-Jones (1989), pg 59 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, shortly afte ...
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.
In 1996 the club won its first official major honour, beating
Neath RFC
Neath Rugby Football Club ( cy, Clwb Rygbi Castell-Nedd) is a Welsh rugby union club which plays in the WRU Championship. The club's home ground is The Gnoll, Neath. The team is known as the All Blacks because of the team colours: black with onl ...
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
Neil Jenkins, (born 8 July 1971) is a Welsh former rugby union player and current coach. He played fly-half, centre, or full back for Pontypridd, Cardiff, Celtic Warriors, Wales and the British & Irish Lions. Jenkins is Wales' highest ever ...
Dale McIntosh
Dale Lynsey Manawa "Chief" McIntosh (born 23 November 1969) is a former Wales international rugby union player and former rugby union coach. He was born in Tūrangi, New Zealand.
Rugby Union career
Amateur career
He played for Pontypridd.
...
.
During the 2001–02 season, Pontypridd enjoyed an incredibly successful campaign, winning the Principality Cup and narrowly losing to
Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks is a professional rugby union club from Greater Manchester, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby.
Originally founded in 1861 as Sale Football Club, now a distinct amateur club, they adopted the ...
in the final of the Parker Pen Shield competition.
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
The European Rugby Champions Cup (known as the Heineken Champions Cup for sponsorship reasons) is an annual rugby union tournament organised by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR). It is the top-tier competition for clubs who compete in a pre ...
– 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
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU; cy, Undeb Rygbi Cymru) is the governing body of rugby union in the country of Wales, recognised by the sport's international governing body, World Rugby.
The WRU is responsible for the running of rugby in Wales, o ...
After much negotiation and rumour of a merger with local rivals
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club ( cy, Clwb Rygbi Caerdydd) is a rugby union club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876Parry-Jones (1989), pg 59 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, shortly afte ...
, Pontypridd finally found themselves in a partnership with
Bridgend RFC
Bridgend Ravens ( cy, Cigfrain Pen-y-bont) (formerly Bridgend RFC) are a semi-professional rugby union club based in Bridgend, South Wales.
They currently play in the Welsh Premier Division and are a feeder club to the Ospreys regional tea ...
, forming the Celtic Warriors that would represent the whole of the South Wales Valleys region.
However financial difficulties at Pontypridd lead the team to sell its stake in the Warriors to
Bridgend RFC
Bridgend Ravens ( cy, Cigfrain Pen-y-bont) (formerly Bridgend RFC) are a semi-professional rugby union club based in Bridgend, South Wales.
They currently play in the Welsh Premier Division and are a feeder club to the Ospreys regional tea ...
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.
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.
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.
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
The Millennium Stadium ( cy, Stadiwm y Mileniwm), known since 2016 as the Principality Stadium ( cy, Stadiwm Principality) for sponsorship reasons, is the national stadium of Wales. Located in Cardiff, it is the home of the Wales national r ...
. 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
Neath Rugby Football Club ( cy, Clwb Rygbi Castell-Nedd) is a Welsh rugby union club which plays in the WRU Championship. The club's home ground is The Gnoll, Neath. The team is known as the All Blacks because of the team colours: black with onl ...
'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 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
Pontypridd RFC continue to earn plaudits for the incredible contribution they have made to International Rugby. Former Pontypridd players seen wearing the red of Wales in recent years include Gethin Jenkins, Kevin Morgan,
Richard Parks
Richard David Parks (born 14 August 1977) is a former Wales international rugby union player turned extreme endurance athlete and television presenter.
In rugby he represented Newport RFC, Pontypridd RFC, Celtic Warriors, Leeds Tykes, Perpign ...
Martyn Williams
Martyn Elwyn Williams, (born 1 September 1975) is a former Wales and British & Irish Lions international rugby union player. A flanker, he was Wales' most-capped forward with 100 caps until surpassed by Gethin Jenkins on 30 November 2013. He ...
Brent Cockbain
Brent John Cockbain (born 15 November 1974 in New South Wales, Australia) is a former rugby union player who won 24 caps for Wales.
Club career
Although born in Australia, and with his brother Matt Cockbain having played international rugby f ...
,
Robert Sidoli
Roberto Andrew "Rob" Sidoli (born 21 June 1979), also known as Robert Sidoli, is a former Welsh international rugby union player. He has won 42 caps for Wales as a lock forward.
Born in Merthyr Tydfil, he played for his school, Bishop Hedley H ...
Ceri Sweeney
Ceri Sweeney (born 21 January 1980 in Glyncoch) is a rugby union footballer who plays at fly-half for Pontypridd RFC and Wales.
Club career
In 1998, Sweeney joined Pontypridd RFC from Glyncoch RFC.
In 2003, with the introduction of region ...
Matthew Rees
Matthew may refer to:
* Matthew (given name)
* Matthew (surname)
* ''Matthew'' (ship), the replica of the ship sailed by John Cabot in 1497
* ''Matthew'' (album), a 2000 album by rapper Kool Keith
* Matthew (elm cultivar), a cultivar of the Chi ...
,
Morgan Stoddart
Morgan Lloyd Stoddart (born 23 September 1984) is a former Wales international rugby union player. His usual position was fullback or wing.
In January 2013, Stoddart retired from rugby due to injury.
His brother Hywel Stoddart is also a profe ...
Seb Davies
Seb Davies (born 17 May 1996) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for Cardiff Rugby as a lock and can also play flanker. He is an ex-Wales under-20 international and full Welsh international.
Davies grew up in the Whitchurch area of Cardiff a ...
Tomos Williams
Tomos Williams (born 1 January 1995) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for Cardiff Rugby as a scrum half. He is a Wales international, and played for the Wales sevens team during the 2013–14 IRB Sevens World Series.
Club career
Cardiff ...
and
Jarrod Evans
Jarrod Evans (born 25 July 1996) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Cardiff Rugby. He has also represented Wales and Wales U20s.
Club career
Evans played youth rugby for Pontyclun RFC, and made his debut for Pontypridd RFC ...
.
Club shield
The club
shield
A shield is a piece of personal armour held in the hand, which may or may not be strapped to the wrist or forearm. Shields are used to intercept specific attacks, whether from close-ranged weaponry or projectiles such as arrows, by means of ...
denotes the town of Pontypridd's famous arched bridge – once the largest single-span bridge in Europe – built by William Edwards in 1756 and known as the " Old Bridge".
The chevrons are an interpretation of the ancient arms of Iestyn ap Gwrgant, the last ruler of the Kingdom of
Morgannwg
Morgannwg was a medieval Welsh kingdom formed via the merger of the kingdoms of the Kingdom of Glywysing and the Kingdom of Gwent.
Formation of Morgannwg
First under King Morgan the Generous (fl. ) until the end of the reign of his descendant ...
. The
de Clare
The House of Clare was a prominent Anglo-Norman noble house that held at various times the earldoms of Pembroke, Hertford and Gloucester in England and Wales, as well as playing a prominent role in the Norman invasion of Ireland.
They were de ...
Welsh Marches
The Welsh Marches ( cy, Y Mers) is an imprecisely defined area along the border between England and Wales in the United Kingdom. The precise meaning of the term has varied at different periods.
The English term Welsh March (in Medieval Latin ...
, under whose authority the ancient shire of
Glamorgan
, HQ = Cardiff
, Government = Glamorgan County Council (1889–1974)
, Origin=
, Code = GLA
, CodeName = Chapman code
, Replace =
* West Glamorgan
* Mid Glamorgan
* South Glamorgan
, Mot ...
was placed – used a similar design to Gwrgant's arms. Both sets of chevrons were once seen on the coat of arms of
Mid Glamorgan County Council
Mid Glamorgan County Council () was the upper-tier authority for the Welsh county of Mid Glamorgan between its creation in 1974 and its abolition in 1996.
History
Local government in England and Wales was reorganised in 1974 under the Local Gover ...
, in which the town of Pontypridd was situated prior to the Local Government Act of 1994.
An identical chevron design is now seen in the coat of arms of
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council ( cy, Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf) is the governing body for Rhondda Cynon Taf, one of the Principal Areas of Wales. The council headquarters are located in the community of Cwm Clydach ...
, which superseded Mid Glamorgan.
The black and white colours are the team colours of Pontypridd RFC.
File:Coat of arms of morgannwg.svg, Arms of ap Gwrgant
File:CoA Gilbert de Clare.svg, Arms of
de Clare
The House of Clare was a prominent Anglo-Norman noble house that held at various times the earldoms of Pembroke, Hertford and Gloucester in England and Wales, as well as playing a prominent role in the Norman invasion of Ireland.
They were de ...
family
File:Newbridge, Pontypridd.gif, Pontypridd's " Old Bridge"
Sponsorship
Pontypridd's most notable main sponsor was local company,
Buy As You View
Buy As You View (BAYV) was a retail and consumer finance company, selling a range of electrical goods and home furniture. It provided a coin meter repayment and credit facility for products bought on a hire purchase, weekly payment basis with ...
. 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
Neil Jenkins, (born 8 July 1971) is a Welsh former rugby union player and current coach. He played fly-half, centre, or full back for Pontypridd, Cardiff, Celtic Warriors, Wales and the British & Irish Lions. Jenkins is Wales' highest ever ...
and Lee Beach and ran the Buy As You View Schools Rugby Initiative, working in partnership with Pontypridd RFC.
Pontypridd's main sponsor from 2004 to 2009 was Pontypridd-based environmental and waste management company, Egan Waste Services.
In 2009, Pontypridd-based company Amber Electrical become the club's main sponsors in a highly publicised partnership deal.
2010 saw Egan Waste Services step up their support of Pontypridd by becoming the club's main sponsors once more.
Club kit has been supplied by numerous firms, including
Umbro
Umbro is an English sports equipment manufacturer founded in 1924 in Wilmslow, Cheshire and based in Manchester. They specialise in football and rugby sportswear featuring their ''Double Diamond'' logo. Umbro products are marketed in over 1 ...
Kukri Sports
Kukri Sports Ltd (pron: "kuk-ree") is an international sportswear brand specialising in manufacturing bespoke sportswear for over 100 sports, including rugby league, rugby union, netball, hockey, cricket and football.
The name 'Kukri' is taken f ...
Mizuno
() is a Japanese sports equipment and sportswear company, founded in Osaka in 1906 by Rihachi Mizuno. Today, Mizuno is a global corporation which makes a wide variety of sports equipment and sportswear for badminton, baseball, boxing, cycling ...
.
Kappa
Kappa (uppercase Κ, lowercase κ or cursive ; el, κάππα, ''káppa'') is the 10th letter of the Greek alphabet, representing the voiceless velar plosive sound in Ancient and Modern Greek. In the system of Greek numerals, has a value ...
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
Cup Final history
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
Treorchy Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team from the village of Treorchy, in the Rhondda Valley, Wales. They formed in 1886 and by 1891 were a strong voice in the Welsh Football Union and were playing in the Rhondda Division.
Club history
...
's 1993/94 Heineken League successes – was instrumental in ensuring Pontypridd's place in the top tier during the latter part of the eighties.
In 1992, Dennis John took over as head coach, assisted by former Pontypridd flanker,
Lynn Howells
Lynn Howells (born 29 May 1950) is a Welsh rugby union coach, who until March 2018 was the head coach of the Romanian national team, haven been the manager of the national side for 10 months prior to his appointment. Howells, born in Maerdy in ...
, and led Pontypridd into what is widely regarded as their "Golden Age", 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
The European Rugby Champions Cup (known as the Heineken Champions Cup for sponsorship reasons) is an annual rugby union tournament organised by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR). It is the top-tier competition for clubs who compete in a pre ...
winners Leicester in 2000 – 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
Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. It forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a ...
, who then proceeded to marshal the club to become Principality Cup winners in May 2002 and guided the team to the final of the Parker Pen European Shield days later.
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.
Burnell's departure in 2004 was followed by the appointment of former Pontypridd flanker, Simon King who, along with assistant coach, former Pontypridd and
Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
captain and scrum-halfPaul John, guided Pontypridd to the final of the Konica Minolta Cup in 2004–05, before winning it in 2005–06.
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
Dale Lynsey Manawa "Chief" McIntosh (born 23 November 1969) is a former Wales international rugby union player and former rugby union coach. He was born in Tūrangi, New Zealand.
Rugby Union career
Amateur career
He played for Pontypridd.
...
, led the club to the final of the Konica Minolta Cup in 2007/08.
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.
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.
Current Coaching Staff
Notable former management staff
* Billy Griffiths (Coach)
* Clive Jones (Coach & Director of Rugby)
* Dennis John (Coach)
*
Lynn Howells
Lynn Howells (born 29 May 1950) is a Welsh rugby union coach, who until March 2018 was the head coach of the Romanian national team, haven been the manager of the national side for 10 months prior to his appointment. Howells, born in Maerdy in ...
(Coach & Assistant Coach)
* Steve Richards (Fitness Coach)
* Richie Collins (Coach)
* Justin Burnell (Coach)
* Simon King (Coach)
* Steele Lewis (Assistant Coach)
*
Mike Griffiths
Michael Griffiths (born 18 March 1962) is a former Welsh rugby union player and British Lion,Nigel Bezani (Team Manager)
* Eddie Jones (Team Manager)
* Gary Jones (Team Manager)
* Dale McIntosh (Coach)
* Geraint Lewis (Forwards Coach)
* Garin Jenkins (Scrum Coach)
* Rob Sidoli (Forwards Coach)
* Richard Langmead (Team Manager)
* Gareth Wyatt (Assistant Coach)
* Darren Bool (Strength & Conditioning Coach)
Players
Current squad
International players
Senior International Players
*
Chris Dicomidis
Christopher David Dicomidis (born 14 September 1985) is a rugby union player for Pontypridd RFC in the Principality Premiership, and for the Cyprus national team.
Born in Pencoed, Dicomidis progressed through the junior teams of Pencoed RFC, ...
Cally James Cally is an English language, English feminine given name of Greek language, Greek origins as a diminutive form of "Callandra". It is also an English feminine given name that is a form of Carrie (name), Carrie and a diminutive form of Caroline (name ...
* Dale Stuckey
Under 20 International Players
*
Cally James Cally is an English language, English feminine given name of Greek language, Greek origins as a diminutive form of "Callandra". It is also an English feminine given name that is a form of Carrie (name), Carrie and a diminutive form of Caroline (name ...
Tom Billups
Tom Billups (born December 26, 1964) is an American former rugby union rugby player (hooker position), who played for the USA Eagles as an international and Blackheath Rugby Club, Harlequin F.C., and Pontypridd RFC as a professional. After retiri ...
Billy Boston
William John Boston, MBE (born 6 August 1934) is a Welsh former professional rugby league footballer who played as a or . Born in Cardiff, Wales, Boston started his career as a rugby union player before joining Wigan in 1953. He spent the nex ...
Brent Cockbain
Brent John Cockbain (born 15 November 1974 in New South Wales, Australia) is a former rugby union player who won 24 caps for Wales.
Club career
Although born in Australia, and with his brother Matt Cockbain having played international rugby f ...
Brett Davey
Brett derives from a Middle English surname meaning "Briton" or "Breton", referring to the Celtic people of Britain and Brittany, France. Brette can be a feminine name.
People with the surname
* Adrian Brett (born 1945) English flutist and writ ...
Seb Davies
Seb Davies (born 17 May 1996) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for Cardiff Rugby as a lock and can also play flanker. He is an ex-Wales under-20 international and full Welsh international.
Davies grew up in the Whitchurch area of Cardiff a ...
Jarrod Evans
Jarrod Evans (born 25 July 1996) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Cardiff Rugby. He has also represented Wales and Wales U20s.
Club career
Evans played youth rugby for Pontyclun RFC, and made his debut for Pontypridd RFC ...
Mike Griffiths
Michael Griffiths (born 18 March 1962) is a former Welsh rugby union player and British Lion,Cory Hill
*
Sam Hobbs
Samuel Francis Hobbs (October 5, 1887 – May 31, 1952) was a United States Representative from Alabama.
Biography
Born in Selma, Alabama, Hobbs attended the public schools, Callaway's Preparatory School, Marion (Alabama) Military Institute ...
Ellis Jenkins
Ellis Jenkins (born 29 April 1993) is a Welsh people, Welsh rugby union Flanker (rugby union), flanker who currently plays for the Cardiff Rugby and for the Wales national team.
Career
Cardiff Rugby
Jenkins made his debut for Cardiff in 2011 ...
Neil Jenkins
Neil Jenkins, (born 8 July 1971) is a Welsh former rugby union player and current coach. He played fly-half, centre, or full back for Pontypridd, Cardiff, Celtic Warriors, Wales and the British & Irish Lions. Jenkins is Wales' highest ever ...
Dale McIntosh
Dale Lynsey Manawa "Chief" McIntosh (born 23 November 1969) is a former Wales international rugby union player and former rugby union coach. He was born in Tūrangi, New Zealand.
Rugby Union career
Amateur career
He played for Pontypridd.
...
Richard Parks
Richard David Parks (born 14 August 1977) is a former Wales international rugby union player turned extreme endurance athlete and television presenter.
In rugby he represented Newport RFC, Pontypridd RFC, Celtic Warriors, Leeds Tykes, Perpign ...
Matthew Rees
Matthew may refer to:
* Matthew (given name)
* Matthew (surname)
* ''Matthew'' (ship), the replica of the ship sailed by John Cabot in 1497
* ''Matthew'' (album), a 2000 album by rapper Kool Keith
* Matthew (elm cultivar), a cultivar of the Chi ...
Robert Sidoli
Roberto Andrew "Rob" Sidoli (born 21 June 1979), also known as Robert Sidoli, is a former Welsh international rugby union player. He has won 42 caps for Wales as a lock forward.
Born in Merthyr Tydfil, he played for his school, Bishop Hedley H ...
*
Morgan Stoddart
Morgan Lloyd Stoddart (born 23 September 1984) is a former Wales international rugby union player. His usual position was fullback or wing.
In January 2013, Stoddart retired from rugby due to injury.
His brother Hywel Stoddart is also a profe ...
Ceri Sweeney
Ceri Sweeney (born 21 January 1980 in Glyncoch) is a rugby union footballer who plays at fly-half for Pontypridd RFC and Wales.
Club career
In 1998, Sweeney joined Pontypridd RFC from Glyncoch RFC.
In 2003, with the introduction of region ...
Edward Treharne
Edward Llewellyn TreharneHarris (1997), pg 22. (22 March 1862 – 29 December 1904) Scrum.com was a Welsh
* Fe'ao Vunipola
*
Tomos Williams
Tomos Williams (born 1 January 1995) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for Cardiff Rugby as a scrum half. He is a Wales international, and played for the Wales sevens team during the 2013–14 IRB Sevens World Series.
Club career
Cardiff ...
*
Martyn Williams
Martyn Elwyn Williams, (born 1 September 1975) is a former Wales and British & Irish Lions international rugby union player. A flanker, he was Wales' most-capped forward with 100 caps until surpassed by Gethin Jenkins on 30 November 2013. He ...
* 1876–1877 James Spickett
* 1877–1879 Henry Briscoe
* 1880–1881 David Treharne
* 1883–1884 William Spickett
* 1894–1895 Ernest George
* 1895–1896 Jack Morgan
* 1898–1899 Billy Rees
* 1900–? Rowley Thomas
* 1906–1907 Duncan McGregor
* 1911–?
Frank Hawkins
Frank Hawkins, Jr. (born July 3, 1959) is a former professional football player, a running back who played seven seasons in the NFL with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, from 1981 to 1987. He is also a former Las Vegas City Council member.
Foo ...
* 1920 W R Thomas
* 1928–1929 Dick Elliott
* 1945–1947 Jeff Scott
* 1947–1948 Len Arnold
* 1948–1949 Viv Jenkins/Dennis Prater/Tom Hughes
* 1949–1950 Des Jones
* 1950–1951 Des Jones/Roy Roberts
* 1951–1952 Des Jones
* 1952–1953 Bobby Narbett
* 1953–1954 Gordon Matthews
* 1954–1955 Gordon Matthews
* 1955–1958 Russell Robins
* 1958–1959 Jock Watkins
* 1959–1960 T Brian "Shrimp" Williams
* 1960–1962 Graham Gittins
* 1962–1964 Eddie Jones
* 1964–1965 Russell Jones
* 1965–1966 Tommy Coombes
* 1966–1967 Byron Broadstock/Tommy Coombes
* 1967–1968 Joe Smith
* 1968–1969 Arfon Jones
* 1969–1970 Joe Smith
* 1970–1971 Bob Penberthy
* 1971–1973 Dennis John
* 1973–1974 Wayne Evans
* 1974–1975 Bill Davey
* 1975–1977 Bob Penberthy
* 1977–1981 Tommy David
* 1981–1982 Robin Morgan
* 1982–1983 Mike Alexander
* 1983–1984 Bob Dyer
* 1984–1985 John O'Callaghan
* 1985–1987 Kerry Williams
* 1987–1988 Phil John
* 1988–1990 Ceri Jones
* 1990–1991 Paul Knight
* 1991–1992 Steele Lewis
* 1992–1996 Nigel Bezani
* 1996–1999
Neil Jenkins
Neil Jenkins, (born 8 July 1971) is a Welsh former rugby union player and current coach. He played fly-half, centre, or full back for Pontypridd, Cardiff, Celtic Warriors, Wales and the British & Irish Lions. Jenkins is Wales' highest ever ...
* 1999–2000
Dale McIntosh
Dale Lynsey Manawa "Chief" McIntosh (born 23 November 1969) is a former Wales international rugby union player and former rugby union coach. He was born in Tūrangi, New Zealand.
Rugby Union career
Amateur career
He played for Pontypridd.
...
* 2000–2001 Paul John
* 2001–2002 Dale McIntosh
* 2002–2003 Mefin Davies
* 2003–2004 Dale McIntosh
* 2004–2005 Paul Matthews
* 2005–2006 Dale McIntosh
* 2006–2010 Nathan Strong
* 2010–2013
Chris Dicomidis
Christopher David Dicomidis (born 14 September 1985) is a rugby union player for Pontypridd RFC in the Principality Premiership, and for the Cyprus national team.
Born in Pencoed, Dicomidis progressed through the junior teams of Pencoed RFC, ...
* 2014–2021 Dafydd Lockyer
* 2021-2022 Morgan Sieniawksi
* 2022- Kristian Parker
Games played against international opposition
Pontypridd youth and junior teams
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
Porth Harlequins Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team based in Porth in the Rhondda Valley. Porth RFC is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Cardiff Blues.
Club honours
* 2007/08 WRU Division Five South Eas ...
).
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.
Heineken Cup
The European Rugby Champions Cup (known as the Heineken Champions Cup for sponsorship reasons) is an annual rugby union tournament organised by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR). It is the top-tier competition for clubs who compete in a pre ...
British and Irish Cup
The British and Irish Cup was an annual rugby union competition for second tier, semi-professional clubs and the reserves or developing teams from professional clubs from Great Britain and Ireland. It took place for the first time in the 2009 ...
*
Principality Premiership
The Welsh Premier Division, () known for sponsorship reasons as the Indigo Group Premiership, (''Uwch Gynghrair grŵp indigo'') is a rugby union league in Wales first implemented by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) for the 1990–91 season.
Compet ...