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 All Blacks because of the team colours: black with only a white cross pattée as an emblem. Neath RFC is the oldest rugby club in Wales, having been formed in 1871. They are feeder club to the Ospreys regional team.
History
Early history
Neath Rugby Football club was established in 1871 by a consortium of ten enthusiasts, their captain at the time, T. P. Whittington would later play international rugby for Scotland in 1873.
The club's nickname, 'The Welsh All Blacks', comes from their iconic strip of black jersey, shorts and socks with a white cross pattée. The origin of the team colours is not known for sure. Origally the club's players represented the team in various dark kits and the Cross pattée was introduced by one of their players, thought to have been E.C. Moxham, "to break the monotony". It is believed that the strip was later switched to the pure black kit as a mark of respect to player Dick Gordon, who died from injuries sustained on the field of play against Bridgend RFC in 1880.
Neath (Welsh:Castell-nedd) is a town and community situated in the principal area of Neath Port Talbot, Wales with a population of 19,258 in 2011. The wider urban area, which includes neighbouring settlements, had a population of 50,658 in 2011.Historically in Glamorgan, the town is located on the river of the same name, 7 miles (11km) east northeast of Swansea.
History
Historically, Neath was the crossing place of the River Neath and has existed as a settlement since the Romans established the fort of Nido or Nidum in the AD 70s. The Roman fort took its name from the River Nedd; the meaning is obscure but 'shining' or simply 'river' have been suggested. Neath is the Anglicised form. The Antonine Itinerary (c. 2nd century) names only nine places in Roman Wales, one of them being Neath. There is evidence of undated prehistoric settlements on the hills surrounding the town, which were probably Celtic. The fort covered a large area which now lies under the playing fields of Dŵr-y-Felin Comprehensive School. In the late 1960s, there were reports in the local media of a massive Roman marching camp being found above Llantwit which would have accommodated many thousands of troops.
The Neath constituency is a mixture of both industrial and rural communities, running in a north-south strip along the dips, ridges and folded landscape of South Wales. It includes most of the Neath and Dulais valleys, and some of the Upper Swansea Valley as well. The town of Neath is at its southern end and is a medium-sized town which started life as a Roman Nidum.
24/04/22 Bargoed RFC v Neath RFC (Championship Cup Final)
published: 25 Apr 2022
The Battle of the Gnoll - Neath v South Africa [big rugby fight]
On 2 November 1994 South Africa visited the Gnoll to play Welsh club-side Neath. Within 12 months the Springboks would pick up the World Cup. However, they faced a stern test from a fired-up Neath side who narrowly lost 13-16 despite a Rhodri Jones try.
However, the match is remembered not just for the Neath challenge but also for the fighting which involved all 30 players in many incidents throughout the game. At times separate fights broke out at different ends of the pitch.
The Battle of the Gnoll - possibly the biggest rugby fight!
published: 30 Nov 2010
Neath RFC vs Swansea RFC - 17/10/1987
published: 24 Jun 2022
Celebrating 150 Years of the Gnoll - The Home of Neath RFC
The Gnoll is one of Wales' most famous sporting venues and has been home to Neath RFC since 1871.
Over the years the ground has played host to some of world rugby's best ever players due to the likes of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand touring to Wales in the 1990s and multiple times before that.
To celebrate the famous landmark I have put together a short feature documentary speaking to three familiar faces at Neath RFC: Former Wales, Ospreys, and British and Irish Lion Paul James; lifelong supporter Mark Davies and current Neath captain Aaron Bramwell.
A special thanks to Neath RFC, Andrew Pearsall, Gerald Morris, Geraint Nicholas, Paul James, Aaron Bramwell and Mark Davies.
This feature was put together during lockdown so any form of support swell as feedback is very much app...
published: 04 May 2021
Trebanos R.F.C v Neath R.F.C W.R.U Championship 2021-2022
Welsh Grass Root's Rugby
published: 05 Dec 2021
27/02/1988 Bridgend RFC v Neath RFC (Cup Quarter Final)
published: 20 Mar 2022
1989 - Neath v All Blacks - Test Match M
1989 - Neath v All Blacks - Test Match M
Like us on https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mohicanos/68151688752
Follow us on twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/mohicanos
published: 21 Jan 2014
29/03/1989 Neath RFC vs Penarth RFC (World Record for Season Points)
published: 29 Mar 2022
The Battle Of The Gnoll - Neath RFC v South Africa 2/11/94 (South African Comms)
Originally uploaded by juanrugby during the pandemic with South African commentary. The infamous match.
published: 16 Jul 2022
19/12/1987 Dunvant RFC v Neath RFC (Cup-4th Round)
On 2 November 1994 South Africa visited the Gnoll to play Welsh club-side Neath. Within 12 months the Springboks would pick up the World Cup. However, they face...
On 2 November 1994 South Africa visited the Gnoll to play Welsh club-side Neath. Within 12 months the Springboks would pick up the World Cup. However, they faced a stern test from a fired-up Neath side who narrowly lost 13-16 despite a Rhodri Jones try.
However, the match is remembered not just for the Neath challenge but also for the fighting which involved all 30 players in many incidents throughout the game. At times separate fights broke out at different ends of the pitch.
The Battle of the Gnoll - possibly the biggest rugby fight!
On 2 November 1994 South Africa visited the Gnoll to play Welsh club-side Neath. Within 12 months the Springboks would pick up the World Cup. However, they faced a stern test from a fired-up Neath side who narrowly lost 13-16 despite a Rhodri Jones try.
However, the match is remembered not just for the Neath challenge but also for the fighting which involved all 30 players in many incidents throughout the game. At times separate fights broke out at different ends of the pitch.
The Battle of the Gnoll - possibly the biggest rugby fight!
The Gnoll is one of Wales' most famous sporting venues and has been home to Neath RFC since 1871.
Over the years the ground has played host to some of world ru...
The Gnoll is one of Wales' most famous sporting venues and has been home to Neath RFC since 1871.
Over the years the ground has played host to some of world rugby's best ever players due to the likes of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand touring to Wales in the 1990s and multiple times before that.
To celebrate the famous landmark I have put together a short feature documentary speaking to three familiar faces at Neath RFC: Former Wales, Ospreys, and British and Irish Lion Paul James; lifelong supporter Mark Davies and current Neath captain Aaron Bramwell.
A special thanks to Neath RFC, Andrew Pearsall, Gerald Morris, Geraint Nicholas, Paul James, Aaron Bramwell and Mark Davies.
This feature was put together during lockdown so any form of support swell as feedback is very much appreciated!
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Adam_Evans0310
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adamevans0310/
The Gnoll is one of Wales' most famous sporting venues and has been home to Neath RFC since 1871.
Over the years the ground has played host to some of world rugby's best ever players due to the likes of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand touring to Wales in the 1990s and multiple times before that.
To celebrate the famous landmark I have put together a short feature documentary speaking to three familiar faces at Neath RFC: Former Wales, Ospreys, and British and Irish Lion Paul James; lifelong supporter Mark Davies and current Neath captain Aaron Bramwell.
A special thanks to Neath RFC, Andrew Pearsall, Gerald Morris, Geraint Nicholas, Paul James, Aaron Bramwell and Mark Davies.
This feature was put together during lockdown so any form of support swell as feedback is very much appreciated!
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Adam_Evans0310
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adamevans0310/
1989 - Neath v All Blacks - Test Match M
Like us on https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mohicanos/68151688752
Follow us on twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/mohicanos...
1989 - Neath v All Blacks - Test Match M
Like us on https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mohicanos/68151688752
Follow us on twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/mohicanos
1989 - Neath v All Blacks - Test Match M
Like us on https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mohicanos/68151688752
Follow us on twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/mohicanos
On 2 November 1994 South Africa visited the Gnoll to play Welsh club-side Neath. Within 12 months the Springboks would pick up the World Cup. However, they faced a stern test from a fired-up Neath side who narrowly lost 13-16 despite a Rhodri Jones try.
However, the match is remembered not just for the Neath challenge but also for the fighting which involved all 30 players in many incidents throughout the game. At times separate fights broke out at different ends of the pitch.
The Battle of the Gnoll - possibly the biggest rugby fight!
The Gnoll is one of Wales' most famous sporting venues and has been home to Neath RFC since 1871.
Over the years the ground has played host to some of world rugby's best ever players due to the likes of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand touring to Wales in the 1990s and multiple times before that.
To celebrate the famous landmark I have put together a short feature documentary speaking to three familiar faces at Neath RFC: Former Wales, Ospreys, and British and Irish Lion Paul James; lifelong supporter Mark Davies and current Neath captain Aaron Bramwell.
A special thanks to Neath RFC, Andrew Pearsall, Gerald Morris, Geraint Nicholas, Paul James, Aaron Bramwell and Mark Davies.
This feature was put together during lockdown so any form of support swell as feedback is very much appreciated!
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Adam_Evans0310
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adamevans0310/
1989 - Neath v All Blacks - Test Match M
Like us on https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mohicanos/68151688752
Follow us on twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/mohicanos
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 All Blacks because of the team colours: black with only a white cross pattée as an emblem. Neath RFC is the oldest rugby club in Wales, having been formed in 1871. They are feeder club to the Ospreys regional team.
History
Early history
Neath Rugby Football club was established in 1871 by a consortium of ten enthusiasts, their captain at the time, T. P. Whittington would later play international rugby for Scotland in 1873.
The club's nickname, 'The Welsh All Blacks', comes from their iconic strip of black jersey, shorts and socks with a white cross pattée. The origin of the team colours is not known for sure. Origally the club's players represented the team in various dark kits and the Cross pattée was introduced by one of their players, thought to have been E.C. Moxham, "to break the monotony". It is believed that the strip was later switched to the pure black kit as a mark of respect to player Dick Gordon, who died from injuries sustained on the field of play against Bridgend RFC in 1880.
It has been seven months since NeathRFC's application to join Super Rygbi Cymru got rejected but the WelshAll Blacks insist they have landed on their feet and are thriving ... We want to represent the whole Neath area.
The announcement came from both the WRL and NeathRFC in July, saying plans were now in place for the popular ground to become "the home of the Welsh Rugby League for all age groups".
Related. The Breakdown... If Max says so, it must be gospel ... Which makes it all the more incongruous to find him in his wife’s car at GlynneathRFC, waiting to offer a lift – “I’ve written about the NeathGuardian before …” to a friendly local eaterie.