Our History

The Sixties

The Fifties ended well for Monmouth.  Many players and officials continued to serve the club in the sixties and beyond. During the 1950’s two players who turned out for Monmouth represented Wales  - John Gwilliam and Glyn John.  Perhaps less well-known is Glyn John, who became a master in Monmouth School.  Glyn represented Wales at schoolboy level and was part of the team that defeated England 33 nil.  At the age of seventeen, Glyn John ventured North to play for Leigh.  That was usually the end of a player’s Union career.  However, Glyn was re-instated to the Union game as it was argued that the decision was made before he turned 18, he returned to Wales and gained entry to St. Luke’s College in Exeter and whilst there earned 2 Welsh caps.  His first cap at centre was against England in 1954 (incidentally, that was John Gwilliam’s last game for Wales).  His second cap was at outside half against France.  Unfortunately, that was his last cap as the Scottish Union rejected his right to play Union as he had gone North. How times have changed!

Another player who was to play for Monmouth in the 50’s and 60’’s was Bob Morgan.  Bob was very modest about his rugby career, however, he had a very interesting career.  One story he did relate, while enjoying a pint with friends, was that he knew Billy Boston, the rugby league legend, while doing his National Service.  Bob went with Boston for a trial with rugby league side, Hunslet.  If known, it would have ended his union career.  Fortunately, Bob resisted the temptation to go North and used his rugby skills at Union.  Bob Morgan went on to play for Richmond, Newport, Pontypool, Crawshays, Monmouthshire County, Welsh Police and British Police.   

Bob gained his Monmouthshire Cap in 1957/58, which incidentally was the year he played for the Monmouth Sevens team that won the Lydney Sevens.  In playing for Monmouth, Bob was carrying on a remarkable family tradition.  When the Monmouth club was formed in 1873, among the players was Bob and Tom Morgan’s grandfather,  William Morgan.  William was a member of the ‘Invincibles‘ teams 1888/89 and in 1902.  Tom and Bob’s father captained the club in the 1920’s and was in the very successful side of 1928/29.  The Morgan family contribution to the club covered more than a century. Bob was captain of Monmouth 1958/60.  Bob was instrumental in giving his brother Tom his first game for Monmouth.  The First XV were short of players and Bob drafted Tom, aged 15, to play on the wing.  Tom became a highly respected wing forward and played for Monmouth until he was 45.  Tom captained Monmouth 1967/8 and 1971/73, he continued to serve the club as a committee man and was chairman of the club 1986/89.  The Morgan connection continued and Tom and Bob’s nephew, Harvey Morgan captained Monmouth 2004/5.  The Morgan family connection with rugby did not confine itself to the males.  Harvey Morgan’s sister Claire, played for the Wales Ladies rugby team and toured Canada in 1993.  Coincidentally, Claire was with the Welsh team in Toronto at the same time as the Monmouth club were touring in Toronto.

Another player who returned to Monmouth after a successful first-class career was Ian Bowen.  Ian was selected club captain in 1954 but was then invited to join Cross Keys.  He played in the successful Monmouth Sevens sides at the Lydney Sevens.  Ian Bowen played for Cross Keys in the fifties and early sixties.  During the 1964/65 season Ian Bowen was to captain Monmouth for the second time.  Lew Evans was an accomplished hooker and character who emigrated to Australia.  Lew took over from Bob Morgan to captain the club 1960/61.  Sadly, Lew passed away this year. From 1961/64 the club captain was Malcolm Young who had played for Monmouth in the Lydney Sevens in 1958.  1965/67 Jeff Hopkins was captain and in 68/69 Peter Ivins.