Llandaff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Llandaff, a district of Cardiff in Wales. They presently play in the Welsh Rugby Union WRU League 3 East Central B.
| Full name | Llandaff Rugby Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1876[1] | |
| Location | Llandaff, Wales | |
| Ground(s) | Bishop's Field | |
| Chairman | Mark Woodman | |
| Coach(es) | Mike Connor
Luke Somerset Daf Rees Calum Digby | |
| League(s) | WRU Division 3 East Central | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| www | ||
History edit
Llandaff RFC was formed in 1876 by Cambridge graduate Illtyd Thomas, and these links are reflected in the team still playing in Cambridge blue.[1] It is believed that Llandaff were one of nine teams that were represented at the Tenby Hotel in 1880, in an early attempt to found the Welsh Rugby Union.[2]
In 1881 Llandaff RFC player, Leonard Watkins, played in the first Welsh international, against England.
For the 1887/1888 season. Llandaff's record was; Played 18, Won 13, Drew 3, Lost 2. Llandaff had drawn 2 matches with Penarth RFC and won against Cardiff RFC 2nds.[3] The following season, 1888/1889, Llandaff's record was; Played 22, Won 11, Drew 6, Lost 5. The 2nd XV's also won 10 out of 12 matches.[4] Llandaff also reached the Cardiff District Challenge Cup final, losing to Penarth by 2 goals, 1 try and 3 minors to 1 minor on 13 March 1889 at the Cardiff Arms Park.[5]
Playing against other South Wales club sides, they gained early success winning the South Wales Challenge Cup during the 1891/92 season. Unusual for a Welsh rugby team, Llandaff have played their rugby on the same pitch, Bishop's Field,[6] since their inception, though like all clubs in Wales the team ceased playing during the First World War. The team reformed after the war but lost their WRU status, and could not play in official competitions. It wasn't until 1948 that Llandaff reapplied and were successful in regaining membership of the WRU.
Club honours edit
- 2008/09 WRU Division Four East - Champions
- 2022/23 WRU Division Four East Central - Champions
Notable former players edit
Chris Czekaj (6 caps)- Leonard Watkins (1 cap 1881)[7]
- Rex Willis (21 caps)
- Louis Rees-Zammit (7 caps)
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b Fields of Praise, The Official History of the Welsh Rugby Union 1881-1981, David Smith, Gareth Williams (1980) pg24 ISBN 0-7083-0766-3
- ^ Fields of Praise, The Official History of the Welsh Rugby Union 1881-1981, David Smith, Gareth Williams (1980) pg37 ISBN 0-7083-0766-3
- ^ "FOOTBALL.-I|1888-04-12|The Western Mail - Welsh Newspapers".
- ^ "LLANDAFF FOOTBALL CLUB.|1889-04-22|South Wales Daily News - Welsh Newspapers".
- ^ "-----I FOOTBALL. ||1889-03-14|South Wales Daily News - Welsh Newspapers".
- ^ Llandaff, Past and Present pp97, John B Hilling (1978) ISBN 0-900807-28-8
- ^ Fields of Praise, The Official History of the Welsh Rugby Union 1881-1981, David Smith, Gareth Williams (1980) pg473 ISBN 0-7083-0766-3
External links edit
- http://www.llandaffrugby.com/ Official Site
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