Merthyr Tydfil RLFC
Encyclopedia
Merthyr Tydfil Rugby League Football Club was a professional rugby league
club based in Merthyr Tydfil
, Wales
playing in the Welsh League
and Northern Union. Based at College Field, Merthyr Tydfil were one of the first professional Welsh teams, and folded in 1911 after the failure of the Welsh League. Merthyr Tydfil produced five players who would go on to represent the Wales national rugby league team
, and in the 1908-09 season finished eighth in the Northern League, the best result achieved by any of the first six professional Welsh teams.
was the sport of choice for most villages and towns. The sport was strictly amateur and players were not expected to receive any monies for taking part in the sport. If players were to be discovered taking payments, they and their club could be permanently suspended. The problem facing Welsh rugby was the rise of the professional Northern Union (later rugby league) in the North of England, where several clubs had split away from the International Rugby Board
and formed their own league where players were paid to play. Many rugby union clubs found their star players poached from them by the new Northern League.
At the start of the 20th century the most successful rugby team in Merthyr was Merthyr Alexandria, but in the club's AGM in July 1907, E.M. Rees the ex-secretary of Aberdare RFC
alleged that Merthyr was involved in professionalism. He stated that the Merthyr secretary of Merthyr Alexandria, W.T. Jones, had not only demanded £7 5s to bring his team to play Aberdare, but that Merthyr also paid players per match. These allegations promted an investigation br the Welsh Rugby Union
, the governing body of rugby union in Wales. At the AGM a proposal was made for Merthyr Alexandria to adopt professionalism and join the Northern Union, but this was overwhelmingly rejected by the committee. Even though Merthyr Alexandria remained true to the amateur sport, within a week of the AGM it was reported that fixtures had been arranged, players signed and guarantors found for a new professional rugby club in Merthyr.
In July 1907 a Merthyr Tydfil rugby league team joined the Northern Union and the Northern Rugby League.
Merthyr Tydfil played their first Northern Union match on 7 September 1907, a home game to Oldham
which Merthyr lost 25-6. Merthyr continued to struggle against the more established northern, teams losing ten games in succession, though they had close matches with Batley
(4-5), Broughton Rangers
(10-14) and Bradford Northern
(6-8). During their ten match losing run, they lost their first ever all Welsh encounter, when Ebbw Vale
beat them 2-0, and on 2 November they were beaten by the very first touring New Zealand side
. Merthyr's first victory came on 16 November 1907, when they beat Runcorn at home. By the end of 1907 they had picked up more points in the Northern Rugby League, with wins over Widnes
and Ebbw Vale, and a draw with Huddersfield
.
On 1 January 1908, the first true international rugby league match took place. Played on Ynys Field
in Aberdare
, the game was contested by Wales
and New Zealand
. Merthyr supplied two of its players to the first Wales team, David "Dai" Davies
, and Dai "Tarw" Jones, a former rugby union international, who scored the winning try to give Wales their first victory.
As the season continued, Merthyr's performances on the pitch improved, with wins over Huddersfield, York
, Leigh
, Wakefield Trinity
and a high-flying Hunslet
. Though all the wins came at home, and their away form was poor. Although ending the season with only eight wins and a draw out of thirty games, finishing 23rd out of 27 clubs; the League run was still seen as a success for a first season. Merthyr also managed to progress to the third round of the Challenge Cup
after wins over Beverley and Whitehaven
.
A more worrying prospect for the club than their league position was the gate receipts. The season opener against Oldham attracted between 2000 and 3000 spectators, a disappointing number, though the weather was poor and the admission price a bit high. The more established Northern teams such as Broughton attracted a crowd of 4000, while the clash between Merthyr and the New Zealand national team brought in between 8000 and 12000 people. Though crowd control was sometimes an issue, and the College ground was suspended for two weeks after the Rochdale Hornets
game, after the referee reported he had been 'molested' by the spectators.
, Barry
, Mid-Rhondda
and Treherbert
. This allowed the formation of the Welsh League, but that in turn meant less games against the Northern opposition as the ten fixtures of the Welsh League replaced ten encounters with the teams of England.
Merthyr started the season with one of their biggest signings when they acquired the signature of Duncan McGregor
, an ex-New Zealand dual-code rugby international. Unfortunately for Merthyr, he injured his ankle in his debut match, and was an infrequent member of the first team. The club was then forced to recruit local amateurs to fill their ranks, though they did manage to gain the services of Tom Thomas
from Wigan
for £60, (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £24,400 in 2009), an amount the club treasurer claimed he paid himself.
The season was of mixed fortunes for Merthyr, it was the club's most successful within the Northern Rugby League, but they were average at best in the matches that within the Welsh League. Merthyr still struggled away from home, though they managed their first away victory over English opposition when they beat Barrow
in November 1908. Merthyr managed a good Northern League season through their victories over their fellow Welsh clubs, winning nine matches out of eleven encounters. In comparison they only managed two victories and a draw over the Northern clubs from seven games. These results left Merthyr eighth out of 31, the best result achieved by any Welsh club in the early 20th century. The results in the Welsh League were not as impressive, winning five and losing five. The most telling results were the home and away loses to both Ebbw Vale
and Mid-Rhondda
, the teams that ended first and second respectively, leaving Merthyr third out of six teams.
There was only one international game played by Wales during the season, away to England. Merthyr provided two players to the game Thomas Paddison
and David Davies
. Merthyr also faced their second international opposition during the season, when the touring Australian team came to College Park. Merthyr beat the tourists 15-13, and also supplied eight players to a Welsh League XIII who defeat the Australian team on 16 January 1909.
Crowds for the season were between 3000 and 4000 for most matches, even the touring Australian team mustered a gate of 4000. The best crowd of the season was when Ebbw Vale visited in December for their Northern League encounter, when 5000 people watched the match.
and Treherbert
. Further problems emerged when Merthyr began losing some if its best talent to the Northern clubs. Cowmeadow, a prolific winger who scored the winning try for the Welsh League XIII against Australia, was signed to York
. He was followed later in the season by forward player Dan Lewis
, before David "Dai" Davies
and Palmer Griffiths
were signed by Swinton
.
The season also saw a marked decline in attendance figures, with many supporters switching their allegiance to local association football team Merthyr Town
. Matters were made worse when Merthyr Tydfil switched grounds from College Park to the Rhydycar Ground on the outskirts of the town. Despite a change of venue, the crowds were still boisterous, and after a defeat to Dewsbury
the supporters pelted the referee with clinker
, cutting his head. The Rhydycar Ground was suspended for four weeks, and the club treasurer was also suspended when he claimed the club had no money to pay the referee.
On the pitch, the team failed to build on the previous season's success, and struggled to win matches. In the Welsh League they finished second from three, and in the Northern League they managed only two wins, both at home over Treherbert and Warrington
. Their away record was awful, losing all encounters, some very heavily, including 0-56 to Warrington and 0-67 to Wigan
. They ended the Northern League with two wins, a draw and 18 losses, finishing 27th out of 28 clubs, one place ahead of Treherbert.
Wales played in two international games during this season, both to England. In the first game on 4 December 1909, Wales played away to England at Belle Vue
, Wakefield
, Merthyr saw David "Dai" Davies
collect his fourth consecutive cap. The second encounter was played at Ebbw Vale's Bridge End Field
, three Merthyr players were selected; Rhys Rees
, David "Dai" Davies
and Dan Lewis
.
folding during the mid-season break, Merthyr and Ebbw Vale
remained the only Welsh clubs, and as such the Welsh League was abandoned. The season began with four straight loses in September, followed by a defeat away to Warrington
, and then on the 8 October, Merthyr were humiliated 13-70 by Hull Kingston Rovers
. It was reported that the team 'cut a ridiculous figure' during the match, and the club officials 'realised that if they were to retain public support the tide of defeats would have to be stemmed'. Merthyr rose to the challenge briefly, beating Barrow
and Bradford Northern
in the next two games, but their form slipped again and these results were followed by four loses. By the end of December Merthyr had played 18 games, with five wins and 13 loses. Then on 31 December 1910, the team faced Coventry in the Challenge Cup, Merthyr lost 18-3. This was to be the clubs last game, and in January, with finances spiralling out of control and the season only half played, the club ceased to exist.
, and as players were paid to play, this pointed at problems with the payment of salaries. Unlike other clubs, Merthyr never set themselves up as a limited company, and there was confusion on who employed the players. Further evidence of the general managerial confusion behind the club was revealed when Messrs Ellison & Co. took legal action against the club for unpaid cost for the hiring of turnstiles. At the hearing at Merthyr County Court in December 1910, the judge asked the club secretary, who was running the club, to which the secretary replied that he did not know.
In January 1911, after the clubs final game, the former club secretary, J.B. Evans reported to the Merthyr Express, that the club had been initially backed by two bonds totalling £760, but by the end of the second season the club was in debt of £473. It was then decided to float the club as a company, but although directors were appointed. No floatation took place.
Other international players
reintroduced rugby league in the area. Playing out of the Grove Field The Wildcats grew from junior sides in 2008 season to include adult sides again for the first time in 2010.
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...
club based in Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil is a town in Wales, with a population of about 30,000. Although once the largest town in Wales, it is now ranked as the 15th largest urban area in Wales. It also gives its name to a county borough, which has a population of around 55,000. It is located in the historic county of...
, 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...
playing in the Welsh League
Welsh League
The Welsh League was the first club rugby league competition in Wales. Its inaugural season was in 1908/09 when four additional teams were formed to join Ebbw Vale RLFC and Merthyr Tydfil RLFC, which allowed a league tournament to take place...
and Northern Union. Based at College Field, Merthyr Tydfil were one of the first professional Welsh teams, and folded in 1911 after the failure of the Welsh League. Merthyr Tydfil produced five players who would go on to represent the Wales national rugby league team
Wales national rugby league team
The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from...
, and in the 1908-09 season finished eighth in the Northern League, the best result achieved by any of the first six professional Welsh teams.
Formation
At the beginning of the 20th century, rugby unionRugby 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...
was the sport of choice for most villages and towns. The sport was strictly amateur and players were not expected to receive any monies for taking part in the sport. If players were to be discovered taking payments, they and their club could be permanently suspended. The problem facing Welsh rugby was the rise of the professional Northern Union (later rugby league) in the North of England, where several clubs had split away from the International Rugby Board
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
and formed their own league where players were paid to play. Many rugby union clubs found their star players poached from them by the new Northern League.
At the start of the 20th century the most successful rugby team in Merthyr was Merthyr Alexandria, but in the club's AGM in July 1907, E.M. Rees the ex-secretary of Aberdare RFC
Aberdare RFC
Aberdare Rugby Football Club are a Welsh rugby union club based in the town Aberdare in South Wales. Aberdare RFC plays in the Welsh Rugby Union Division Three South East league and is a feeder club for the Cardiff Blues.-Club history:...
alleged that Merthyr was involved in professionalism. He stated that the Merthyr secretary of Merthyr Alexandria, W.T. Jones, had not only demanded £7 5s to bring his team to play Aberdare, but that Merthyr also paid players per match. These allegations promted an investigation br 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...
, the governing body of rugby union in Wales. At the AGM a proposal was made for Merthyr Alexandria to adopt professionalism and join the Northern Union, but this was overwhelmingly rejected by the committee. Even though Merthyr Alexandria remained true to the amateur sport, within a week of the AGM it was reported that fixtures had been arranged, players signed and guarantors found for a new professional rugby club in Merthyr.
In July 1907 a Merthyr Tydfil rugby league team joined the Northern Union and the Northern Rugby League.
1907-08 season
Oldham Roughyeds
Oldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895....
which Merthyr lost 25-6. Merthyr continued to struggle against the more established northern, teams losing ten games in succession, though they had close matches with Batley
Batley Bulldogs
Batley Bulldogs are an English professional rugby league club from Batley, West Yorkshire. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Batley is one of the original twenty-two rugby football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895...
(4-5), Broughton Rangers
Broughton Rangers
Broughton Rangers was a British rugby football, and subsequently a rugby league club. It was based in Broughton, Salford.-History:Broughton Rangers was founded in 1877 as Broughton and added Rangers for its second season...
(10-14) and Bradford Northern
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
(6-8). During their ten match losing run, they lost their first ever all Welsh encounter, when Ebbw Vale
Ebbw Vale RLFC
Ebbw Vale Rugby League Football Club was a professional rugby league club based in Ebbw Vale, Wales playing in the Welsh League and Northern Union. Based at Bridge End Field, Ebbw Vale were one of the first professional Welsh teams, and the last to disband in 1912 after the failure of the Welsh...
beat them 2-0, and on 2 November they were beaten by the very first touring New Zealand side
1907–1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Australia and Great Britain
The 1907–1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Australia and Great Britain was a tour made by a group of New Zealand rugby footballers who played matches in Australia, Ceylon, England and Wales between 1907 and 1908. Most of the matches were played under the rules of the Northern Union, what is today...
. Merthyr's first victory came on 16 November 1907, when they beat Runcorn at home. By the end of 1907 they had picked up more points in the Northern Rugby League, with wins over Widnes
Widnes Vikings
Widnes 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...
and Ebbw Vale, and a draw with Huddersfield
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
.
On 1 January 1908, the first true international rugby league match took place. Played on Ynys Field
Aberdare Athletic Ground
The Aberdare Athletic Ground was a mixed sports venue in Aberdare, Wales, which was predominantly used for football. For some years it was the home of Aberdare Athletic F.C., who were members of the Football League between 1921 and 1927....
in Aberdare
Aberdare
Aberdare is an industrial town in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Dare and Cynon. The population at the census was 31,705...
, the game was contested by Wales
Wales national rugby league team
The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from...
and New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
. Merthyr supplied two of its players to the first Wales team, David "Dai" Davies
David Davies (rugby league)
David B. Davies was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Wales, and Welsh League XIII, and at club level for Merthyr Tydfil, Swinton, and Oldham, playing at , or , i.e...
, and Dai "Tarw" Jones, a former rugby union international, who scored the winning try to give Wales their first victory.
As the season continued, Merthyr's performances on the pitch improved, with wins over Huddersfield, York
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...
, Leigh
Leigh Centurions
Leigh Centurions is an English professional rugby league club based in Leigh, Greater Manchester who play in the Co-operative Championship.The club was founded in 1878 as Leigh Rugby Football Club and is one of the original twenty-two clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in...
, Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
and a high-flying Hunslet
Hunslet Hawks
Hunslet Hawks is a professional rugby league club based in Hunslet, West Yorkshire, England. The club, sometimes known as 'the Parksiders' after their former stadium, are currently champions of Championship One.-History:-Early years:...
. Though all the wins came at home, and their away form was poor. Although ending the season with only eight wins and a draw out of thirty games, finishing 23rd out of 27 clubs; the League run was still seen as a success for a first season. Merthyr also managed to progress to the third round of the Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
after wins over Beverley and Whitehaven
Whitehaven RLFC
Whitehaven RLFC is a rugby league club playing in Whitehaven in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship. Their stadium is called the Recreation Ground...
.
A more worrying prospect for the club than their league position was the gate receipts. The season opener against Oldham attracted between 2000 and 3000 spectators, a disappointing number, though the weather was poor and the admission price a bit high. The more established Northern teams such as Broughton attracted a crowd of 4000, while the clash between Merthyr and the New Zealand national team brought in between 8000 and 12000 people. Though crowd control was sometimes an issue, and the College ground was suspended for two weeks after the Rochdale Hornets
Rochdale Hornets
Rochdale Hornets RLFC is an English professional rugby league club from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. They currently play in Championship One...
game, after the referee reported he had been 'molested' by the spectators.
1908-09 season
The 1908/09 season saw the first real attempt to bring rugby league to Wales, as four new Welsh teams were formed, AberdareAberdare RLFC
Aberdare Rugby League Football Club was a professional rugby league club based in Aberdare, Wales playing in the Welsh League and Northern Union...
, Barry
Barry RLFC
Barry Rugby League Football Club was a professional rugby league club based in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales playing in the Welsh League and Northern Union...
, Mid-Rhondda
Mid-Rhondda RLFC
Mid-Rhondda Rugby League Football Club was a professional rugby league club based in Tonypandy, Wales playing in the Welsh League and Northern Union. Based at the Athletic Ground in Tonypandy, Mid-Rhondda were one of the first professional Welsh teams, formed in 1908 but folding after just a single...
and Treherbert
Treherbert RLFC
Treherbert Rugby League Football Club was a professional rugby league club based in Treherbert, Wales playing in the Welsh League and Northern Union. Based at the Athletic Ground, Treherbert were one of the first professional Welsh teams, formed in 1908 but folding after just two seasons...
. This allowed the formation of the Welsh League, but that in turn meant less games against the Northern opposition as the ten fixtures of the Welsh League replaced ten encounters with the teams of England.
Merthyr started the season with one of their biggest signings when they acquired the signature of Duncan McGregor
Duncan McGregor
Duncan McGregor , was a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He was a member of the legendary 1905 Original All Blacks and went on the 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.-Rugby Football:...
, an ex-New Zealand dual-code rugby international. Unfortunately for Merthyr, he injured his ankle in his debut match, and was an infrequent member of the first team. The club was then forced to recruit local amateurs to fill their ranks, though they did manage to gain the services of Tom Thomas
Tom Thomas (rugby)
Tom Thomas was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s who at club level played for Wigan, and Merthyr Tydfil, playing at , i.e...
from Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan 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....
for £60, (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £24,400 in 2009), an amount the club treasurer claimed he paid himself.
The season was of mixed fortunes for Merthyr, it was the club's most successful within the Northern Rugby League, but they were average at best in the matches that within the Welsh League. Merthyr still struggled away from home, though they managed their first away victory over English opposition when they beat Barrow
Barrow Raiders
Barrow 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 November 1908. Merthyr managed a good Northern League season through their victories over their fellow Welsh clubs, winning nine matches out of eleven encounters. In comparison they only managed two victories and a draw over the Northern clubs from seven games. These results left Merthyr eighth out of 31, the best result achieved by any Welsh club in the early 20th century. The results in the Welsh League were not as impressive, winning five and losing five. The most telling results were the home and away loses to both Ebbw Vale
Ebbw Vale RLFC
Ebbw Vale Rugby League Football Club was a professional rugby league club based in Ebbw Vale, Wales playing in the Welsh League and Northern Union. Based at Bridge End Field, Ebbw Vale were one of the first professional Welsh teams, and the last to disband in 1912 after the failure of the Welsh...
and Mid-Rhondda
Mid-Rhondda RLFC
Mid-Rhondda Rugby League Football Club was a professional rugby league club based in Tonypandy, Wales playing in the Welsh League and Northern Union. Based at the Athletic Ground in Tonypandy, Mid-Rhondda were one of the first professional Welsh teams, formed in 1908 but folding after just a single...
, the teams that ended first and second respectively, leaving Merthyr third out of six teams.
There was only one international game played by Wales during the season, away to England. Merthyr provided two players to the game Thomas Paddison
Thomas Paddison
Thomas John Paddison was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s who at representative level played for Wales, and Welsh League XIII, and at club level for Merthyr Tydfil, playing at , i.e...
and David Davies
David Davies (rugby league)
David B. Davies was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Wales, and Welsh League XIII, and at club level for Merthyr Tydfil, Swinton, and Oldham, playing at , or , i.e...
. Merthyr also faced their second international opposition during the season, when the touring Australian team came to College Park. Merthyr beat the tourists 15-13, and also supplied eight players to a Welsh League XIII who defeat the Australian team on 16 January 1909.
Crowds for the season were between 3000 and 4000 for most matches, even the touring Australian team mustered a gate of 4000. The best crowd of the season was when Ebbw Vale visited in December for their Northern League encounter, when 5000 people watched the match.
1909-10 season
With the collapse of half of the Welsh teams before the start of the season, the Welsh League now consisted of just Merthyr. Ebbw ValeEbbw Vale RLFC
Ebbw Vale Rugby League Football Club was a professional rugby league club based in Ebbw Vale, Wales playing in the Welsh League and Northern Union. Based at Bridge End Field, Ebbw Vale were one of the first professional Welsh teams, and the last to disband in 1912 after the failure of the Welsh...
and Treherbert
Treherbert RLFC
Treherbert Rugby League Football Club was a professional rugby league club based in Treherbert, Wales playing in the Welsh League and Northern Union. Based at the Athletic Ground, Treherbert were one of the first professional Welsh teams, formed in 1908 but folding after just two seasons...
. Further problems emerged when Merthyr began losing some if its best talent to the Northern clubs. Cowmeadow, a prolific winger who scored the winning try for the Welsh League XIII against Australia, was signed to York
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...
. He was followed later in the season by forward player Dan Lewis
Dan Lewis (rugby)
Dan Lewis was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Wales, and Welsh League XIII, and at club level for Merthyr Tydfil, and York, playing at , i.e...
, before David "Dai" Davies
David Davies (rugby league)
David B. Davies was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Wales, and Welsh League XIII, and at club level for Merthyr Tydfil, Swinton, and Oldham, playing at , or , i.e...
and Palmer Griffiths
Palmer Griffiths
Palmer Griffiths was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s who at club level played for Merthyr Tydfil, and Swinton, playing at , i.e. number 1.-Club career:...
were signed by Swinton
Swinton 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:...
.
The season also saw a marked decline in attendance figures, with many supporters switching their allegiance to local association football team Merthyr Town
Merthyr Town F.C.
Merthyr Town Football Club is a Welsh semi-professional football club based in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. For the 2011–2012 season the club will be playing in the Western Football League Premier Division at Penydarren Park in Merthyr....
. Matters were made worse when Merthyr Tydfil switched grounds from College Park to the Rhydycar Ground on the outskirts of the town. Despite a change of venue, the crowds were still boisterous, and after a defeat to Dewsbury
Dewsbury Rams
Dewsbury Rams RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury. They are arguably most famous for becoming Champions in 1972-73 after finishing the regular season in 8th place. In the playoffs they beat Featherstone away, Warrington away, and then Leeds in the...
the supporters pelted the referee with clinker
Clinker (waste)
Clinker is a general name given to waste from industrial processes — particularly those that involve smelting metals, burning fossil fuels and using a blacksmith's forge which will usually result in a large buildup of clinker around the tuyère...
, cutting his head. The Rhydycar Ground was suspended for four weeks, and the club treasurer was also suspended when he claimed the club had no money to pay the referee.
On the pitch, the team failed to build on the previous season's success, and struggled to win matches. In the Welsh League they finished second from three, and in the Northern League they managed only two wins, both at home over Treherbert and Warrington
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
. Their away record was awful, losing all encounters, some very heavily, including 0-56 to Warrington and 0-67 to Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan 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....
. They ended the Northern League with two wins, a draw and 18 losses, finishing 27th out of 28 clubs, one place ahead of Treherbert.
Wales played in two international games during this season, both to England. In the first game on 4 December 1909, Wales played away to England at Belle Vue
Belle Vue (Wakefield)
Belle Vue is a rugby league stadium in Wakefield, England. It is the home stadium of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. It is located beside the A638 Doncaster Road, approximately one mile south of Wakefield City Centre.- Description :Currently, the East stand has a covered stand with seating, with some...
, Wakefield
Wakefield
Wakefield is the main settlement and administrative centre of the City of Wakefield, a metropolitan district of West Yorkshire, England. Located by the River Calder on the eastern edge of the Pennines, the urban area is and had a population of 76,886 in 2001....
, Merthyr saw David "Dai" Davies
David Davies (rugby league)
David B. Davies was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Wales, and Welsh League XIII, and at club level for Merthyr Tydfil, Swinton, and Oldham, playing at , or , i.e...
collect his fourth consecutive cap. The second encounter was played at Ebbw Vale's Bridge End Field
Eugene Cross Park
Eugene Cross Park is a rugby and cricket ground in Ebbw Vale, Wales. In November 1919 the Ebbw Vale Welfare Association was formed and bought the "Bridgend Field". The of land became known as the Welfare Ground, and in 1973 its name was changed to its present title in honour of Sir Eugene Cross,...
, three Merthyr players were selected; Rhys Rees
Rhys Rees
Rhys Rees was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Wales, and at club level for Merthyr Tydfil, playing at , or , i.e. number 6, or 7.-International honours:...
, David "Dai" Davies
David Davies (rugby league)
David B. Davies was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Wales, and Welsh League XIII, and at club level for Merthyr Tydfil, Swinton, and Oldham, playing at , or , i.e...
and Dan Lewis
Dan Lewis (rugby)
Dan Lewis was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Wales, and Welsh League XIII, and at club level for Merthyr Tydfil, and York, playing at , i.e...
.
1910-1911
With TreherbertTreherbert RLFC
Treherbert Rugby League Football Club was a professional rugby league club based in Treherbert, Wales playing in the Welsh League and Northern Union. Based at the Athletic Ground, Treherbert were one of the first professional Welsh teams, formed in 1908 but folding after just two seasons...
folding during the mid-season break, Merthyr and Ebbw Vale
Ebbw Vale RLFC
Ebbw Vale Rugby League Football Club was a professional rugby league club based in Ebbw Vale, Wales playing in the Welsh League and Northern Union. Based at Bridge End Field, Ebbw Vale were one of the first professional Welsh teams, and the last to disband in 1912 after the failure of the Welsh...
remained the only Welsh clubs, and as such the Welsh League was abandoned. The season began with four straight loses in September, followed by a defeat away to Warrington
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
, and then on the 8 October, Merthyr were humiliated 13-70 by Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
. It was reported that the team 'cut a ridiculous figure' during the match, and the club officials 'realised that if they were to retain public support the tide of defeats would have to be stemmed'. Merthyr rose to the challenge briefly, beating Barrow
Barrow Raiders
Barrow 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 Bradford Northern
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
in the next two games, but their form slipped again and these results were followed by four loses. By the end of December Merthyr had played 18 games, with five wins and 13 loses. Then on 31 December 1910, the team faced Coventry in the Challenge Cup, Merthyr lost 18-3. This was to be the clubs last game, and in January, with finances spiralling out of control and the season only half played, the club ceased to exist.
Club demise
Although Merthyr Tydfil was facing a bleak future due to the competition form Merthyr Town AFC, its demise was hastened by poor administration. Early signs of problems occurred in December 1909 when it was reported that 'as usual several selected players failed to turn up' for a match against TreherbertTreherbert RLFC
Treherbert Rugby League Football Club was a professional rugby league club based in Treherbert, Wales playing in the Welsh League and Northern Union. Based at the Athletic Ground, Treherbert were one of the first professional Welsh teams, formed in 1908 but folding after just two seasons...
, and as players were paid to play, this pointed at problems with the payment of salaries. Unlike other clubs, Merthyr never set themselves up as a limited company, and there was confusion on who employed the players. Further evidence of the general managerial confusion behind the club was revealed when Messrs Ellison & Co. took legal action against the club for unpaid cost for the hiring of turnstiles. At the hearing at Merthyr County Court in December 1910, the judge asked the club secretary, who was running the club, to which the secretary replied that he did not know.
In January 1911, after the clubs final game, the former club secretary, J.B. Evans reported to the Merthyr Express, that the club had been initially backed by two bonds totalling £760, but by the end of the second season the club was in debt of £473. It was then decided to float the club as a company, but although directors were appointed. No floatation took place.
Players of note
Players earning international caps while at Merthyr Tydfil RLFC- ?. Cowmeadow represented Welsh League XIII who beat Australia 14-13 Penydarren Park on 19 January 1909
- David "Dai" DaviesDavid Davies (rugby league)David B. Davies was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Wales, and Welsh League XIII, and at club level for Merthyr Tydfil, Swinton, and Oldham, playing at , or , i.e...
won four caps for Wales between 1908 and 1910 - Dai "Tarw" Jones won one cap for Wales in 1908 against New Zealand, and won two caps for Great Britain in 1908 against New Zealand
- Dan LewisDan Lewis (rugby)Dan Lewis was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Wales, and Welsh League XIII, and at club level for Merthyr Tydfil, and York, playing at , i.e...
won one cap for Wales in 1910 - Thomas John PaddisonThomas PaddisonThomas John Paddison was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s who at representative level played for Wales, and Welsh League XIII, and at club level for Merthyr Tydfil, playing at , i.e...
won one cap for Wales in 1908 - Rhys ReesRhys ReesRhys Rees was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and '10s who at representative level played for Wales, and at club level for Merthyr Tydfil, playing at , or , i.e. number 6, or 7.-International honours:...
won two caps for Wales between 1908 and 1910
Other international players
- Duncan McGregorDuncan McGregorDuncan McGregor , was a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He was a member of the legendary 1905 Original All Blacks and went on the 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.-Rugby Football:...
former New Zealand Dual-code international
Reintroduction of rugby league in Merthyr Tydfil
Almost one hundred years after the disbanding of a rugby league in Merthyr, the Tydfil Wildcats Rugby LeagueTydfil Wildcats Rugby League
Tydfil Wildcats Rugby League is a Rugby League club based in Merthyr Tydfil. The club colours are yellow and blue. The home ground was the cage in Troedyrhiw until September 2010 but relocated for the 2011 season to Dowlais RFC. The Wildcats play in the Wales Rugby League conference.- History...
reintroduced rugby league in the area. Playing out of the Grove Field The Wildcats grew from junior sides in 2008 season to include adult sides again for the first time in 2010.