Llandovery RFC
Encyclopedia
Llandovery RFC are a Welsh
rugby union
club based in Llandovery
in Carmarthenshire
, Wales
. The club is an inaugural member of the Welsh Rugby Union
and is a feeder club for the Scarlets.
refers to a rugby game between 'Llandovery' and other local teams but these were specifically named as college teams while Llandovery was not.
In 1879 there is proof that Llandovery, separate from Llandovery College, played what may be seen as their first recognised official match against Christ College, Brecon
.
Llandovery continued to have a strong rugby ethos and this is reflected in the club being an inaugual member of the Welsh Rugby Union
which was held at the on 12 March 1881 in the Castle Hotel, Neath
.
In 1894, Llandovery was one of ten clubs who became affiliated to the Welsh Rugby Union, but gave up this status in 1910.
The club continued successfully up until 1935, but due to an inability to obtain fixtures the club ceased to function in that year.
In 1956 Llandovery RFC decided to reapply for membership into the WRU, and this was granted in 1957.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club based in Llandovery
Llandovery
Llandovery is a market town in Carmarthenshire, Wales, lying on the River Tywi and the A40 road.The town is served by Llandovery railway station, where there is a park and ride to Llanelli and Shrewsbury via the Heart of Wales Line...
in Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire is a unitary authority in the south west of Wales and one of thirteen historic counties. It is the 3rd largest in Wales. Its three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. The club is an inaugural member of the Welsh Rugby Union
Welsh Rugby Union
The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the...
and is a feeder club for the Scarlets.
Early history
Prior to 1878 written evidence exists of a Llandovery rugby team, though in these reports it is not clear if this was a town or college team. On February 22, 1878 a report in the Carmarthen JournalCarmarthen Journal
The Carmarthen Journal is a newspaper founded in 1810 in Wales and now based in Carmarthen, the county town of Carmarthenshire, Wales. Published by Northcliffe Media, the regional newspaper arm of one of Europe's largest media companies, Daily Mail and General Trust, the building housing the...
refers to a rugby game between 'Llandovery' and other local teams but these were specifically named as college teams while Llandovery was not.
In 1879 there is proof that Llandovery, separate from Llandovery College, played what may be seen as their first recognised official match against Christ College, Brecon
Christ College, Brecon
Christ College, Brecon is a co-educational, boarding and day independent school, located in the market town of Brecon in mid-Wales. It caters for pupils from eleven to eighteen.Christ College was founded by Royal Charter in 1541 by King Henry VIII...
.
Llandovery continued to have a strong rugby ethos and this is reflected in the club being an inaugual member of the Welsh Rugby Union
Welsh Rugby Union
The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the...
which was held at the on 12 March 1881 in the Castle Hotel, Neath
Neath
Neath is a town and community situated in the principal area of Neath Port Talbot, Wales, UK with a population of approximately 45,898 in 2001...
.
In 1894, Llandovery was one of ten clubs who became affiliated to the Welsh Rugby Union, but gave up this status in 1910.
Inter-war period
No rugby was played in Llandovery from 1914–1919, during the Great War, but commenced again in 1920.The club continued successfully up until 1935, but due to an inability to obtain fixtures the club ceased to function in that year.
Post World War II
In November 1948 Llandovery RFC officially reformed, and began laying down the foundations that would give it future stability. Llandovery RFC moved their club headquarters to the White Hall and in 1956 the town's Improvement Committee purchased 'Barlow's Field' which was levelled and reseeded. In the subsequent two years improvements included the building of changing rooms.In 1956 Llandovery RFC decided to reapply for membership into the WRU, and this was granted in 1957.