Ferndale RFC
Encyclopedia
Ferndale RFC are a rugby union
club based in the Upper Rhondda Fach
, Wales
. First formed in 1882, and disbanded in 1921, the club reformed in 1989. They currently play their home games at Greenwood Park, Ferndale (once the site of the Banana Tip) formerly playing their home matches at Blaenllechau Park. Ferndale RFC is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union
and is a feeder club for the Cardiff Blues
.
in 1891. In 1894 they played in the newly formed Glamorgan league with the Monmouthshire league being formed a year later. It was not until the end of the first decade of the 20th century (1909) that Ferndale began to make its name amongst some of the better known sides in South Wales
. Ferndale played host to teams such as Neath
, Bath
, Llanelli
, Pontypridd
, Cross Keys
, Merthyr
, Treorchy
and Tredegar
on the sloping playing field at the Darran Lake Grounds. It was not unusual for crowds in excess of 3,000 to watch home games and often the half time entertainment was provided by the Ferndale Prize Band, whose home, Ferndale Band and Musical Institute Club, was officially opened in May 1899. It was during this period that Ferndale RFC (the "Scarlet Bulldogs") won two senior cups by beating Cilfynydd
at Ynysybwl
in 1910 and Treorchy four-nil to win the Glamorgan League Cup in 1912.
By 1921 due to the lack of finances, which had been enhanced by the mining disputes and the dangerous playing surface on the Darran Park, Ferndale RFC folded. It was left to other local teams, such as the Ferndale Bell Boys, the Elmonians and Blaenllechau to keep the rugby alive locally up until 1940, where the Second World War finally put a halt to competitive senior rugby in Wales.
On September 2 1989 the first game was played against Fleur De Lys
on Ferndale's home ground at Blaenllechau Park, in front of several hundred people. Maerdy Junior RFC, members from Ferndale Male Voice, Cor Meibion Morlais, along with Maerdy Colliery and Tylorstown Silver Band provided pre match entertainment. Jeff Isaac, who not only became the reformed club's first captain, but also scored the first try, which he then converted to draw the first game six-all. The former Salisbury Hotel was purchased as a clubhouse in May 1994.
After progressing through the R.E.G.D. leagues the club was now in a position to push forwards and obtain probationary status from the Welsh Rugby Union. After being vetted by the Welsh Districts and the WRU, the club was finally accepted as a provisional member at the start of the 2001/02 season. This meant that Welsh Rugby Union league games were played at Ferndale for the first time in eighty years and by April 2004, full WRU status was granted.
, and the rugby club honoured him with a tribute in the form of naming the clubhouse lounge the new "Sir Stanley Baker Lounge". Officially opened by his widow, Lady Ellen Baker, on Friday 24 November 2006, the day's events featured a presentation to Sir Stanley's sons and family members. The afternoon also featured a Radio Wales tribute to Sir Stanley, hosted by Owen Money
and recorded live in Ferndale RFC itself. The Sir Stanley Baker Lounge features many pictures and memorabilia from his successful career, including wall plaque commemorating the official opening in both English and Welsh.
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 the Upper Rhondda Fach
Rhondda
Rhondda , or the Rhondda Valley , is a former coal mining valley in Wales, formerly a local government district, consisting of 16 communities built around the River Rhondda. The valley is made up of two valleys, the larger Rhondda Fawr valley and the smaller Rhondda Fach valley...
, 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...
. First formed in 1882, and disbanded in 1921, the club reformed in 1989. They currently play their home games at Greenwood Park, Ferndale (once the site of the Banana Tip) formerly playing their home matches at Blaenllechau Park. Ferndale RFC is a 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 Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club....
.
Early history
Ferndale RFC is believed to have been established during the 1882-83 season, when David Watkins helped to foster the game in the village. It was through his determination that Ferndale RFC became affiliated to the Welsh Football UnionWelsh 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...
in 1891. In 1894 they played in the newly formed Glamorgan league with the Monmouthshire league being formed a year later. It was not until the end of the first decade of the 20th century (1909) that Ferndale began to make its name amongst some of the better known sides in South Wales
South Wales
South Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
. Ferndale played host to teams such as Neath
Neath RFC
Neath Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. The club's home ground is The Gnoll, Neath. The first team is known as the Welsh All Blacks because of the team colours: black with only a white cross pattée as an emblem...
, Bath
Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby is an English professional rugby union club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league...
, Llanelli
Llanelli RFC
Llanelli Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club founded in 1875 and its senior team is one of the leading club sides in Wales. The club began the 2008-09 season at their historic home ground of Stradey Park in Llanelli, but moved in November 2008 to the new Parc y Scarlets in adjacent...
, Pontypridd
Pontypridd RFC
Pontypridd Rugby Football Club, known as Ponty, are a rugby union team from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, currently playing in the British and Irish Cup, Principality Premiership, and are the current SWALEC Cup champions....
, Cross Keys
Cross Keys RFC
Cross Keys RFC is a rugby union club located in the Welsh village of Crosskeys. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons.- History :...
, Merthyr
Merthyr RFC
Merthyr RFC is a Welsh rugby union club based in Merthyr in South Wales. Merthyr RFC are presently members of the Welsh Rugby Union playing in the Division One East League and are a feeder club for the Cardiff Blues..-Early history:...
, Treorchy
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...
and Tredegar
Tredegar RFC
Tredegar Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team based in Tredegar. The club was founded in 1893 but at that time played under the name Tredegar Harriers. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons....
on the sloping playing field at the Darran Lake Grounds. It was not unusual for crowds in excess of 3,000 to watch home games and often the half time entertainment was provided by the Ferndale Prize Band, whose home, Ferndale Band and Musical Institute Club, was officially opened in May 1899. It was during this period that Ferndale RFC (the "Scarlet Bulldogs") won two senior cups by beating Cilfynydd
Cilfynydd RFC
Cilfynydd Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club based in Cilfynydd in Pontypridd, Wales. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Cardiff Blues..-Club badge:...
at Ynysybwl
Ynysybwl
Ynysybwl is a village in Cwm Clydach in Wales. It is situated in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, roughly north-north-east of Cardiff, north of Pontypridd and south of Merthyr Tydfil, and forms part of the community of Ynysybwl and Coed-y-cwm....
in 1910 and Treorchy four-nil to win the Glamorgan League Cup in 1912.
By 1921 due to the lack of finances, which had been enhanced by the mining disputes and the dangerous playing surface on the Darran Park, Ferndale RFC folded. It was left to other local teams, such as the Ferndale Bell Boys, the Elmonians and Blaenllechau to keep the rugby alive locally up until 1940, where the Second World War finally put a halt to competitive senior rugby in Wales.
Modern game
In 1988 a local committee was formed with the intent to reforming Ferndale RFC. After nurturing the plan over six months the club was accepted as a probationary member of the Rhondda & East Glamorgan District Union. It was decided, after permission from the Salisbury Hotel, to use the cellar as a base for the new club's membership.On September 2 1989 the first game was played against Fleur De Lys
Fleur De Lys RFC
Fleur De Lys RFC is a Welsh rugby union club based in south-east Wales and are a feeder club for Newport Gwent Dragons. The 1st XV Team were crowned champions of the WRU Division Three East in the 2009/2010 season and will play in the WRU Division Two East league in 2010/2011.-History:Fleur De Lys...
on Ferndale's home ground at Blaenllechau Park, in front of several hundred people. Maerdy Junior RFC, members from Ferndale Male Voice, Cor Meibion Morlais, along with Maerdy Colliery and Tylorstown Silver Band provided pre match entertainment. Jeff Isaac, who not only became the reformed club's first captain, but also scored the first try, which he then converted to draw the first game six-all. The former Salisbury Hotel was purchased as a clubhouse in May 1994.
After progressing through the R.E.G.D. leagues the club was now in a position to push forwards and obtain probationary status from the Welsh Rugby Union. After being vetted by the Welsh Districts and the WRU, the club was finally accepted as a provisional member at the start of the 2001/02 season. This meant that Welsh Rugby Union league games were played at Ferndale for the first time in eighty years and by April 2004, full WRU status was granted.
The "Sir Stanley Baker Lounge"
Ferndale is also the hometown of actor Sir Stanley BakerStanley Baker
Sir Stanley Baker was a Welsh actor and film producer.-Early career:William Stanley Baker was born in Ferndale, Rhondda Valley, Wales. In the mid-1930s his parents moved to London, where Baker spent most of his formative years...
, and the rugby club honoured him with a tribute in the form of naming the clubhouse lounge the new "Sir Stanley Baker Lounge". Officially opened by his widow, Lady Ellen Baker, on Friday 24 November 2006, the day's events featured a presentation to Sir Stanley's sons and family members. The afternoon also featured a Radio Wales tribute to Sir Stanley, hosted by Owen Money
Owen Money
Owen Money MBE , is a Welsh musician, actor, comedian, and radio presenter. He was born in Merthyr Tydfil.In the 2007 New Years Honours List, Money was made an MBE for services to entertainment in Wales.-The Bystanders:...
and recorded live in Ferndale RFC itself. The Sir Stanley Baker Lounge features many pictures and memorabilia from his successful career, including wall plaque commemorating the official opening in both English and Welsh.