83 Years of Old Illtydian History

83 Years of Old Illtydian History

This season 2011/2012 finds the Old Illtydian Rugby club celebrating its 83nd anniversary. It must afford the few founder members still with us a great deal to muse over, when they compare the amenities and facilities available to the present generation with the conditions prevailing back in 1928 when the club was formed as the St Illtyds Old Boys Rugby Club. As the school had been open for only four years, the number of players available was small and with an average age of only seventeen, the club was launched.Its home grounds were many for five years, until finally in 1932 they came to Blackweir where they were to remain for the next thirty years.

A new home ground brought a new name under the captaincy of Terry Donovan, the club were re-christened Old Illtydian RFC. A second fifteen had been formed and the team results in general were outstanding. Thanks to players on leave from the services, young students and schoolboys, the club managed to function for all but two years during the war years, thus in 1945, the continuity was there and the club continued to expand and flourish. In 1947/48 the club toured Ireland successfully, followed by a tour of Lancashire in 1951. The Illtydians were one of the first Junior welsh clubs to tour overseas with visits during the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s to exotic places like the Bahamas, Florida, Virginia, Atlanta, San Francisco and Vancouver, all teams proving successful and great ambassadors for Wales. During the season 1952/1953 by which time three teams were playing regularly, the silver jubilee celebrations took place and were celebrated by an outstanding match played against an international team led by Irish Captain Des O’Brien at the ArmsPark.

There have been some outstanding achievements over the years, for instance, for a period of fifteen years between 1938 and 1953 the first fifteen were undefeated by any other old boys side in Wales or England. Recognition finally came in 1966 when old Illtydian RFC became a full member of theWelsh Rugby Union followed in 1967 by a move to their own ground and clubhouse at Leckwith. St Illtyds School at this time was based at Sanatorium Road, Leckwith. Although a dream had been realised a period of decline in the fortunes of the club followed. It is difficult to pinpoint the reasons for this as they were varied and complicated, but it was finally decided to sell the club and ground and move to the opposite end of Cardiff to Rumney Recreation Ground. This was done in 1976, and a decisive move this proved to be. During the 70’ and 80’s and early part of the 90’s the Illtydians were stronger than ever. Four senior teams and two youth fifteens played regularly each week. From 1976 to 1985 the club was based at the 53 Club just off City Road and the numbers of players and supporters packed into this small but homely clubhouse after games was something to see! In 1985 the club moved to a new base at Splott Road where they remain to this day in what is a fine clubhouse. Successes have been many over the years with trophies won, promotions achieved, overseas tours, the remarkable win against Ebbw Vale rugby club away in theWelsh cup during the mid 90’s was a great achievement and the development of so many great rugby players.

In looking back over the eighty two years, the one thing above all that gives pleasure is to read a list of Old Illtydians who made the grade in top class rugby starting with pre-war Welsh trialist Edgar Welsh and other Cardiff RFC stalwarts such as Jim Hickey and Duncan Brown. In post war years the list is endless with Welsh trialists John Nelson, Kevin Bush,, Paul Donovan, and Cardiff Players such as Brian Mark, Peter Nyhan, Tom Burns, John McCarthy, Bernard Neagle and Chris Jones and Newport players Maurice Walsh and John Roblin. Alec Finlayson, the Illtydians first Welsh cap during the early 70’s was long overdue. David Bishop one of the old Illtydians famous sons became our next Welsh Cap scoring a try on his debut against Australia at the Arms Park and then having a great career as scrum half for Pontypool. David became a dual rugby international and subsequently a Great Britain Rugby league international. Other Illtydians who went on to play for top class clubs during the 70’, 80’s and 90’s include Mike Murphy, Gerard Meeghan, David Barry, Mark McJennett, Julian O’Brien and Chris Camilleri (all Cardiff), Andrew Taylor (Maesteg), John Manders (Newport), Paul ‘Pablo’ Rees (Ebbw Vale/Pontypool) to name a few.

The Old Illtydians continue to be successful on and off the field, supporting the development of players for the benefit of welsh rugby and for their enjoyment, and today still run two senior sides and a veterans/third team. The mini and junior section continues to grow with teams competing at all ages from under 16 through to under 8’s.
May it always be so!