In this new and updated edition, Gwyn Prescott provides a fascinating insight into the origins and early years of the game in Cardiff. He outlines how its citizens of all backgrounds, its many distinct districts, and its commercial and religious interests took rugby to their hearts through the growth of clubs, competitions and the establishment of the famous Arms Park as the focal point of rugby in Wales.
By:
Gwyn Prescott
Imprint: St David's Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 3rd New edition
Dimensions:
Height: 244mm,
Width: 170mm,
Spine: 19mm
ISBN: 9781904609186
ISBN 10: 190460918X
Pages: 302
Publication Date: 30 May 2024
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Foreword by Prof. Gareth Williams Acknowledgements Preface Abbreviations 1. Introduction: 'The contagion will spread' 2. From Football to Rugby: 'Neither dribbling fish nor handling foul' 3. The Game is Established: 'The running business' 4. The Clubs: 'In Cardiff and district surely their name is legion' 5. Organisation and Participation: 'Administered by the few, played by the many' 6. Rugby's Wider Impact: 'Football, or, Life in Cardiff' 7. Conclusions: 'The noble game is not totally unknown here' Appendices 1. Welsh Rugby Teams 1880-1 2. Cardiff and District Rugby Teams 1895-6 3. Club Competitions - Cardiff Area (i) Cardiff District Football Union Challenge Cup 1886-1890 Junior Cup 1890 (ii) Cardiff and District Football Union / Cardiff and District Rugby Union Mallett Cup 1893-2024 Union Shield 1895-1910 Ninian Stuart Cup 1911-2024 Senior League 1895-1900 Junior League to 1895-1900 Second Junior League to 1900 (iii) Cardiff Rugby Football Club Junior Cup 1896-1900 4. Club Competitions - Wales (i) South Wales Football Union / Welsh Football Union South Wales Challenge Cup 1878-1914 5. Cardiff Area Club Secretaries 1889-1891 Bibliography Index
A native of Cardiff who captained the Welsh Secondary Schools XV in 1965 and played for Cambridge University's 1st XV, Gwyn Prescott was awarded an MPhil in 2006 on the history of rugby and is author of numerous rugby histories including, Call Them to Remembrance - The Welsh Rugby Internationals Who Died in the Great War (St. David's Press, 2014 & 2021) and Arthur Gould - Rugby's First Superstar (St. David's Press, 2023).
Reviews for 'this rugby spellbound people': The Birth of Rugby in Cardiff and Wales
"""...scrupulously researched ... well written"" Huw Richards, scrum.com; ""Prescott paints a meticulous picture of Welsh rugby's growth in Victorian Britain"" Rugby World; ""...a fascinating piece of research and a major contribution to the history of rugby” Tony Collins; “excellent” Prof Martin Johnes"
