Our History

The first recorded game of rugby in Crickhowell took place on Boxing Day 1881. (Though two Crickhowell men played for South Wales against Hereford in 1877. They were F.W and T.B. Jones. F.W Jones was captain). The club played mostly against local teams such as Abergavenny, Brecon, Brynmawr and Tredegar. Some of the teams had exotic names like Blaenavon Black Rangers and Hearts of Oak. This continued until 1905 when for reasons unknown they failed to appear.

The earliest known photograph of the team in 1893

A prominent local player at that time was Bill Batty, and he was one of the leading figures in the resurrection of the club in 1912. This second incarnation was short-lived however, due to events on the world stage and the outbreak of World War One.

A third attempt was made in 1924 but again was short-lived lasting only until 1926. Rugby then lay dormant in Crickhowell for decades until the present day Crickhowell RFC was formed in 1980/81.

It happened in the Britannia Inn. In those days, there was a clear divide between its two bars. In the lower bar was a jukebox and a pool table. Naturally, it was to this area that the younger set were attracted whilst the older clientele gathered in the top bar. This became known as the "geriatric ward". In response, the lower bar was dubbed the "psychiatric ward". The scene was set for friendly rivalry.

" We can beat you at rugby" was one of the challenges which was taken up. A game was played and enjoyed. From there, the idea of starting a "proper" rugby club was formed and the eager locals of the Britannia Inn promptly wrote off to the WRU, telling them of our intentions and asked if we could join. They wrote back and politely suggested that we should first try joining our local district organisation, the nearest being Pontypool. Thus it was that the Crickhowell "Britannians" (as they were initially called), was born.

The team at the start of the modern era

In those early days, we would have floundered hopelessly were it not for the enthusiasm (and money) of landlord Roy Williams, who bough us our first strip. The importance of Roy in the Club's development cannot be overlooked.

Roy Williams

Cwrt-y-Gollen army camp was generous with the loan of their facilities. Much work had to be done in preparation, but with the help of captain Dai Penny, secretary Angus McInnes and fixture secretary Howard Pinney, its first full season got underway.

Since then, rugby has continued to flourish and in 1985 we were fortunate to be able to purchase our current ground with assistance from local businesses, individuals and grant aid.

A stalwart of the club for many years was Bob Broyd, a local farmer, who became our second life president following the passing of Roy Williams. In 2003, in honour of his 80th birthday, our ground was renamed Parc Broyd.

Bob Broyd