Cardiff City Blue Dragons
Encyclopedia
The Cardiff City Blue Dragons were a rugby league
team formed in 1981. Their home ground was Ninian Park
which was also used by Cardiff City FC
. The club spent three seasons in Cardiff before relocating to Bridgend
in 1984 as the Bridgend Blue Dragons, who were finally wound up in 1986. The team colours were royal blue shirts with a yellow and white vee. The shorts and socks were also blue.
and Fulham RLFC which were backed by Carlisle United and Fulham FC association football clubs respectively, encouraged Cardiff City Football Club
to form Cardiff City Blue Dragons for the 1981-82 season. Their managing director was David Watkins, their coach was John Mantle
. The club initially signed three (former) rugby union internationals - Steve Fenwick
, Tom David
and Paul Ringer
. A fourth (former) international, Brynmor Williams
, was signed later on.
Their first game against Salford
on 30 August 1981 attracted a crowd of 9,247. Despite finishing half-way up the Second Division in their first season, success on the field was elusive and the club failed to win promotion in three seasons at Ninian Park
. Towards the end of their tenure in Cardiff crowds had dwindled to about 500 and they were forced into liquidation after the death of City chairman Bob Grogan. Their last home game was a 28-26 loss to York RLFC
.
In July 1984 the club was bought out of liquidation by a consortium. The new owners came under pressure from the Welsh FA who wanted Ninian Park as their permanent headquarters and were opposed to ground sharing with rugby league. As a result the Blue Dragons changed their name to Bridgend Blue Dragons and relocated the club to Bridgend Town AFC's
Coychurch Road ground.
. After that attendances dropped and by February 1985 less than 200 fans were watching the home games. Their lowest gate was 148 for the final home game against Doncaster on 21 April 1985 when they went down 28-10. The club finished bottom of the Second Division with only one win.
Four days before the start of the 1986-87 season the Rugby Football League
dropped Bridgend Blue Dragons from the fixtures for failing to secure a ground and Bridgend RLFC decided not to seek reinstatement.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
team formed in 1981. Their home ground was Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
which was also used by Cardiff City FC
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
. The club spent three seasons in Cardiff before relocating to Bridgend
Bridgend
Bridgend is a town in the Bridgend County Borough in Wales, west of the capital, Cardiff. The river crossed by the original bridge, which gave the town its name, is the River Ogmore but the River Ewenny also passes to the south of the town...
in 1984 as the Bridgend Blue Dragons, who were finally wound up in 1986. The team colours were royal blue shirts with a yellow and white vee. The shorts and socks were also blue.
Early history of rugby league in Cardiff
In 1951-52, following a successful stint in the Welsh League, Cardiff was elected to the Rugby Football League. However, after one disastrous season with low attendances, the club withdrew.Cardiff City Blue Dragons RLFC
The initial success of rugby league teams CarlisleCarlisle RLFC
Carlisle RLFC were a rugby league team based in Carlisle, Cumbria.-Early rugby league in Carlisle:Carlisle City, based at Harraby Greyhound Stadium close to Gillford Park, were admitted to the Northern Rugby Football Union for the 1928-29 season. They withdrew on November 8, 1928 after only ten...
and Fulham RLFC which were backed by Carlisle United and Fulham FC association football clubs respectively, encouraged Cardiff City Football Club
Cardiff city
Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium...
to form Cardiff City Blue Dragons for the 1981-82 season. Their managing director was David Watkins, their coach was John Mantle
John Mantle (rugby player)
John Mantle is a Welsh former dual-code international rugby player. He was capped for Wales at rugby union, and Great Britain, and Wales in rugby league.-Rugby career:...
. The club initially signed three (former) rugby union internationals - Steve Fenwick
Steve Fenwick
Steven Paul Fenwick is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s, who at representative level has played rugby union for Wales, and at club level has played for Bridgend RFC, playing at Centre, i.e...
, Tom David
Tom David
Thomas Patrick "Tommy" David is a former Wales international rugby union and rugby league player. He was selected for the 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa and at the time played club rugby for Llanelli RFC. He also played for his home-town club Pontypridd RFC and while at the club was part...
and Paul Ringer
Paul Ringer
Paul Ringer is a Welsh former dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played rugby union for Wales, and at club level for Ebbw Vale RFC, Llanelli RFC, and Leicester, playing at Flanker, i.e...
. A fourth (former) international, Brynmor Williams
Brynmor Williams
David Brynmor Williams is a Welsh former dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played rugby union for British Lions, and Wales, and at club level for Cardiff RFC, Newport RFC, and Swansea RFC, and at invitational level for...
, was signed later on.
Their first game against Salford
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
on 30 August 1981 attracted a crowd of 9,247. Despite finishing half-way up the Second Division in their first season, success on the field was elusive and the club failed to win promotion in three seasons at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
. Towards the end of their tenure in Cardiff crowds had dwindled to about 500 and they were forced into liquidation after the death of City chairman Bob Grogan. Their last home game was a 28-26 loss to York RLFC
York City Knights
York City Knights Rugby League Club is a British professional rugby league club hailing from York. They play at the Huntington Stadium, situated to the north of York city centre...
.
In July 1984 the club was bought out of liquidation by a consortium. The new owners came under pressure from the Welsh FA who wanted Ninian Park as their permanent headquarters and were opposed to ground sharing with rugby league. As a result the Blue Dragons changed their name to Bridgend Blue Dragons and relocated the club to Bridgend Town AFC's
Bridgend Town F.C.
Bridgend Town F.C. is a Welsh football club that currently play in the Welsh Football League First Division. They are based in Bridgend in south Wales. Historically, their local rivals were Maesteg Park who disbanded in 2009...
Coychurch Road ground.
Bridgend Blue Dragons RLFC
Their first home game on 9 September 1984 attracted a crowd of 1,983 to watch Bridgend go down 28-16 to SwintonSwinton Lions
Swinton Lions is an English professional rugby league club from Swinton, Greater Manchester. The club has won the Championship six times and three Challenge Cups. They currently play in the Championship.-Early years:...
. After that attendances dropped and by February 1985 less than 200 fans were watching the home games. Their lowest gate was 148 for the final home game against Doncaster on 21 April 1985 when they went down 28-10. The club finished bottom of the Second Division with only one win.
Four days before the start of the 1986-87 season the Rugby Football League
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
dropped Bridgend Blue Dragons from the fixtures for failing to secure a ground and Bridgend RLFC decided not to seek reinstatement.
Players earning International Caps while at Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons
- Christopher "Chris" Camilleri won caps for Wales while at BarrowBarrow RaidersBarrow Raiders are an English professional rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, who are coached by Dave Clark. Formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club, the club is the oldest of the current professional sports teams in Cumbria....
in 1980 against France, while at WidnesWidnes VikingsWidnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
in 1982 against Australia, and while at Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons in 1984 against England, and won caps for Great Britain while at BarrowBarrow RaidersBarrow Raiders are an English professional rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, who are coached by Dave Clark. Formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club, the club is the oldest of the current professional sports teams in Cumbria....
in 1980 against New Zealand (2 matches) - Michael "Mike" DaviesMichael Davies (rugby league)Michael "Mike" Davies is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Cardiff City Blue Dragons, playing at , i.e...
won a cap for Wales while at Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons 1984 1-cap - Thomas Patrick "Tom"/"Tommy" DavidTom DavidThomas Patrick "Tommy" David is a former Wales international rugby union and rugby league player. He was selected for the 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa and at the time played club rugby for Llanelli RFC. He also played for his home-town club Pontypridd RFC and while at the club was part...
won caps for Wales while at Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons in 1981 against England, and in 1982 against Australia
- Steven Paul FenwickSteve FenwickSteven Paul Fenwick is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s, who at representative level has played rugby union for Wales, and at club level has played for Bridgend RFC, playing at Centre, i.e...
won caps for Wales while at Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons 1981…1982 2-caps 5-goals 10-points - Ness FlowersNess FlowersNess Flowers is a Welsh former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and '80s who at club level has played rugby union for Crynant RFC and Ystradgynlais RFC, and at representative level has played rugby league for Wales, and at club level for Wigan, and Cardiff City ...
won caps for Wales while at WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
, and Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons 1980…1984 4-caps 1-tries 3-points
- Lynn HallettLynn HallettLynn Hallett is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Cardiff City Blue Dragons, playing at , or /, i.e...
won caps for Wales while at Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons 1982…1984 2-caps 2-goals 4-points - Gordon PritchardGordon Pritchard (rugby league)Gordon Pritchard is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Barrow, and Cardiff City Blue Dragons, playing at , i.e...
won caps for Wales while at BarrowBarrow RaidersBarrow Raiders are an English professional rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, who are coached by Dave Clark. Formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club, the club is the oldest of the current professional sports teams in Cumbria....
, and Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons 1978…1981 1(3?)-caps + 2-caps (sub) - Paul RingerPaul RingerPaul Ringer is a Welsh former dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played rugby union for Wales, and at club level for Ebbw Vale RFC, Llanelli RFC, and Leicester, playing at Flanker, i.e...
won caps for Wales (RL) while at Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons 1981…1982 2-caps
- Graham WaltersGraham Walters (rugby league)Graham Walters is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Hull, Wakefield Trinity, and Cardiff City Blue Dragons, playing at , i.e...
won caps for Wales while at Hull F.C., and Bridgend Blue Dragons 1980…1984 2(3?)-caps + 1-cap (sub) - David Brynmor WilliamsBrynmor WilliamsDavid Brynmor Williams is a Welsh former dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played rugby union for British Lions, and Wales, and at club level for Cardiff RFC, Newport RFC, and Swansea RFC, and at invitational level for...
won a cap for Wales (RL) while at Cardiff City Blue Dragons 1982 1-cap 1-try 3-points
Others players
- Christopher "Chris" O'BrienChristopher O'Brien (rugby league)Christopher "Chris" O'Brien is a Welsh former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and '80s who at club level has played rugby union for Fairwater RFC , and at representative level has played rugby league for Wales, and at club level for Oldham, and Cardiff City ...
- Paul Woods