[mvc_timeline_father linebg=”#33adcc” width=”5″][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Neath RFC Founded” titlealign=”right” titlepadding=”25″ date=”1871″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” image_id=”15817″ size=”35″ titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1637060894253{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff” titleclr=”#ffffff”]

It has long been thought that Neath Rugby Football Club was founded in 1871/72 when the first recorded rugby match in Wales took place, Neath against Swansea – the outcome was disputed..Read More

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”WRU Founded In Neath” titlepadding=”25″ date=”1881″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” image_id=”16091″ size=”35″ titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1637060903983{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff” titleclr=”#ffffff”]Neath’s status as one of the leading Welsh clubs was soon confirmed by their record in the South Wales Challenge Cup that did much to generate interest in the game. Read More [/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Touring Sides at The Gnoll” titlealign=”right” titlepadding=”25″ date=”1908″ bgclr=”#0c0c0c” image_id=”16079″ size=”35″ titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1637060916164{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff” titleclr=”#ffffff”]

As early as 1908, Neath had joined with Aberavon to take on the touring Australians(such Joint-ventures were oft-repeated but the combination rarely reflected the talent of its constituent parts…

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”1st Welsh Captain” titlepadding=”25″ date=”1945″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” image_id=”16096″ size=”35″ titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1637060951699{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff” titleclr=”#ffffff”]Immediately after the Great War, Glyn Stephens became the first Neath man to captain Wales, Leading his country against the New Zealand Armed Forces…[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Brian Thomas” titlealign=”right” titlepadding=”25″ image_id=”16098″ date=”1964″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” size=”35″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1637060960784{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff”]

Neath won the Snelling Sevens in 1964 and 1970 and, led by Brian Thomas, recaptured the Welsh Championship as well as the Anglo-Welsh “Sunday Telegraph” pennant in 1966/1967…

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Centenary Year” titlepadding=”25″ date=”1971″ size=”35″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” image_id=”15903″ titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1637060970419{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff” titleclr=”#ffffff”]Neath became the first senior Welsh club to celebrate its centenary in1971/1972 – the Club was given the “Freedom of the Borough” and played the Barbarians, the Irish Wolfhounds and a WRU President’s XV. But the icing on the birthday cake came when scrum-half Martyn Davies became the first captain to lift the new WRU Cup when Neath beat Llanelli 15–9.[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”The Thomas revolution” titlealign=”right” titlepadding=”25″ date=”1981″ size=”35″ bgclr=”#0c0c0c” image_id=”16081″ titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1637060982680{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff” titleclr=”#ffffff”]

In 1981, Brian Thomas returned in the then revolutionary post of Team Manager, ably assisted by two former captains in Ron Waldron and Glen Ball as coaches, David Shaw as team secretary and Alan Roper as fitness coach, and together they launched the Club on an era of unprecedented success.

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Welsh Champions” titlepadding=”25″ date=”1987″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” image_id=”16085″ size=”35″ titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1637060994464{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff” titleclr=”#ffffff”]After losing a WRU Cup Final to Cardiff by 19-24 in 1984, Neath’s list of achievements gathered momentum…[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Record-breaking Season” titlealign=”right” titlepadding=”25″ date=”1989″ size=”35″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” image_id=”16087″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1637061005454{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff”]

Neath RFC holds the World Record for the number of points (1917) and tries (345) accumulated in one season (47 games). This record was set during the 1988/89 season.

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Professional days” date=”1997″ size=”35″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” image_id=”16089″ titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1637061014660{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff” titleclr=”#ffffff”]

Initially in the professional era Neath struggled to retain the services of players. Unlike many other clubs the Blacks did not have the advantage of a financial backer and naturally Neath’s considerable talents soon attracted others

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Regional rugby” titlealign=”right” titlepadding=”25″ date=”2004″ size=”35″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” image_id=”15918″ titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1637061024470{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff” titleclr=”#ffffff”]

Neath signed off the professional club era in 2002/2003 by becoming the only club side ever to reach a Celtic final when they lost to Munster and in the domestic League finished runners-up to Bridgend.

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Pat Horgan as coach” titlepadding=”25″ date=”2010″ size=”35″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” image_id=”15920″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1637061032654{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff”]In 2009/10, Patrick Horgan took over as coach and Arwel Thomas led the side to a fifth League title in 7 years and added the playoff title for good measure…[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Neath relegated to WRU Championship” titlepadding=”25″ date=”May 2019″ size=”35″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1753957983144{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff” image_id=”13305″]Neath RFC relegated to the WRU Championship after a tough season.[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Season abandoned: Covid-19″ titlepadding=”25″ date=”2020-21″ size=”35″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1753959249679{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff” image_id=”26882″]Season abandoned due to covid-19 pandemic[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”NEATH’s 150th ANNIVERSARY SEASON” titlepadding=”25″ date=”2021-22″ size=”35″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1753960084785{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff” image_id=”18389″]The 21/22 season was the 150th Anniversary of Neath RFC!

In partnership with the Supporters Club, we had a successful year and a range of Official Merchandise on sale.[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Neath Promoted to Indigo Premiership” titlepadding=”25″ date=”May 2023″ size=”35″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” image_id=”20587″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1753957231759{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff”]Neath RFC is promoted to the Indigo Premiership after securing 2nd place in the WRU Championship 2022-23[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Tim Ryan and Ryan Evans appointed as coaches.” titlepadding=”25″ date=”April 2024″ size=”35″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” image_id=”26865″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1753957315365{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff”]Neath RFC is pleased to confirm that Tim Ryan and Ryan Evans have been officially appointed as coaches for next season having originally been announced in an interim capacity until the end of the season.[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Successful Season in Admiral Premiership” titlepadding=”25″ date=”April 2025″ size=”35″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” image_id=”26419″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1753958437624{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff”]Neath RFC complete a successful season finishing in 3rd place in the WRU Admiral Premiership and look forward to the 2025-26 season…[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son centerstyle=”dot” maintitle=”Neath win WRU Premiership Cup” titlepadding=”25″ date=”April 2026″ size=”35″ bgclr=”#0a0a0a” image_id=”28704″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#141414″ css=”.vc_custom_1782828019173{background-color: #141414 !important;}” clr=”#ffffff” caption_url=””]Neath RFC complete another successful season winning the WRU Premiership Cup versus League Champions, Merthyr RFC.[/mvc_timeline_son][/mvc_timeline_father]