Neath RFC Founded
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…
WRU Founded In Neath
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…
Touring Sides at The Gonll
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…
1st Welsh Captain
Immediately after the Great War, Glyn Stephens became the first Neath man to captain Wales, Leading his country against the New Zealand Armed Forces…
Brian Thomas
Neath won the Snelling Sevens in 1964 and 1970 and, led by Brian Thomas, recaptured the Welsh championship as well as the Angelo Welsh “Sunday Telegraph” pennant in 1966/1967…
Centenary Year
Neath became the first senior Welsh club to celebrate its centenary om 1971/1972 – the club was given the “Freedom of the Borough”…
The Thomas revolution
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…
Welsh Champions
After losing a WRU Cup Final to Cardiff by 19-24 in 1984, Neath’s list of achievements gathered momentum…
Record-breaking Season
Neath RFC holds the world for the number of points(1,917) and tries(345) accumulated in one season(47 Games). This record was set during the 1988/89 season when…
Professional days
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…
Regional rugby
Neath signed off the professional club era in 2002/2003 by becoming the only club sider ever to reach a Celtic final when they lost to Munster…
Pat Horgan as coach
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…
Rebuilding
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…