Llandovery RFC
Llandovery RFC (Welsh: Clwb Rygbi Llanymddyfri) is a Welsh rugby union club based in Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, Wales. The club is an inaugural member of the Welsh Rugby Union, currently play in the Welsh Premier Division and is a feeder club for the Scarlets, a Pro14 club.[2]
Full name | Llandovery Rugby Football Club |
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Nickname(s) | The Drovers |
Founded | 1878 |
Location | Llandovery, Wales |
Ground(s) | Church Bank Playing Fields (Capacity: 3,000) |
Chairman | Handel Davies |
Coach(es) | Euros Evans |
Captain(s) | Richard Brooks |
League(s) | Welsh Premier Division |
2017-18 | 2nd[1] |
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 22 February 1878 a report in the Carmarthen Journal 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 Llandovery College, played their first recognised official match against Christ College, Brecon.[3] This was a college and not a town side as the match report indicated it was the first time the two schools had met.[4] are nowadays recognised as an inaugural member of the Welsh Rugby Union at a meeting held at the on 12 March 1881 in the Castle Hotel, Neath.[5] It is not certain however whether C. P. Lewis, a master at the college was representing the town as well as the college. 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
Rugby was not played in Llandovery from 1914–1919, during the Great War, but commenced again in 1920 and the club continued until 1935, but due to a lack of fixtures 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 reapplied for membership to the WRU which was granted in 1957.
Club honours
- Welsh Cup: 2006–07
- SSE Swalec Cup: 2015-16
- [ WRU Wales 7 a side champions (5 times): 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17]
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.
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Notable former players
- See also Category:Llandovery RFC players
References
- Sourced 26 November 2018
- BBC News (8 July 2004). "Wales' regional rugby map". BBC. Retrieved 1 June 2008.
- Fields of Praise, The Official History of the Welsh Rugby Union 1881-1981, David Smith, Gareth Williams (1980) pp23
- South Wales Daily News 2 December 1897 p4
- Fields of Praise, The Official History of the Welsh Rugby Union 1881-1981, David Smith, Gareth Williams (1980) pp41