Our History

The Seventies - A decade  of change

The success of the youth gave the club optimism for the future.  Several youth players were to, not only  represent Monmouth, but  showed their skills further afield.  Dave Fryer, a very talented forward was to gain  a Welsh Youth Cap and played for the 1st xv before embarking on a successful ‘first class’ career with Newport and Ebbw Vale.  Dave was selected to tour Canada with Wales but injury prevented him from playing for the senior side although he was in the  Wales squad.  The club continued to field 2 senior sides and although enjoying only modest success, were fortunate to receive encouragement from hard working club captains - Idris Leonard 1970/71 and 73/75, Tom Morgan 1971/73, Phil Brunt 75/76, Dave Fuszard 76/77, Gerald Wilkins 77/79 (Byron Hapgood took over after injury to Gerald ended a very promising rugby career), 79/80 Tommy Alexander (then Lennie Morgan). Iwan Morgan took over the Chairmanship in 1975/78 and  he was instrumental in the formation of Mini Rugby in the club. Today, the Young Monmouth rugby section can boast 10 teams.  Numerous youngsters who played ‘mini rugby’ went on to play for the Monmouth senior teams and what was referred to as ‘first class’ teams.  Hallam Amos, played mini rugby in Monmouth and went on to play for the Dragons, Cardiff and Wales. Hopefully, the next generation of Monmouth senior players is on its way from Young Monmouth.

In 1975 Monmouth staged their first Annual Club Sevens.  The event, held initially at the Leisure Centre ground was to prove very popular and was an important source of income for the club.  The success of the event would not have been possible without the efforts of the committee, and especially the contribution of club members. (it  would be invidious to attempt to name  all the helpers, but the club was fortunate in having such splendid support) Bert Meredith managed to get teams as far afield as Brixton to compete in the first tournament. However, the following year the 16 teams who entered were all from Wales. The club was delighted to have 4 ‘First Class’ clubs, with many notable players, entering the competition – Bridgend, Ebbw Vale, Pontypool and Tredegar. The other 12 were very successful ‘second class’  clubs - Garndiffaith, Rhymney, Brynamman, Abercarn, Usk, Pyle Blackwood, Blaina, Bedwas and Mumbles.  Bridgend won the tournament in 1976, followed by Ebbw Vale (1977 and 1980), Pontypool (1978). Rumney (Cardiff) surprised everyone by being the tournament winners in 1979 and they went on to win 5 more tournaments 1984/1988.  Worcester were the only English team to win the competition and were successful in 1993 and 1994. With the advent of league structures, teams became reluctant to enter the tournament on August Bank Holiday Monday and the event which had provided such enjoyable entertainment ended before the Millennium.

Monmouth played hosts to the Queen’s Dragoon Guards who were touring South Wales, their main recruiting area.  As a result of this visit, Roger Boase {originally from Newport) was broached about whether Monmouth could visit the QDG’S base at Hohne. Fortunately, as a result, Monmouth were invited to visit the QDG’s in 1979. It was a very memorable tour! The QDG’S were excellent hosts. Monmouth were beaten by the hosts after a hard fought game.  After the match the players and supporters were served with fish and chips and spent a late and enjoyable night in the club bar. Several friendships were made and the QDG’s made a return visit to Monmouth a few years later.  In the Monmouth party was Fred Smith who had joined the KDG’S exactly 50 years previously.  Fred stood to attention when chatting with the Lieutenant Colonel and Fred corrected him on 1 or 2 points about the regiment’s history! Still feeling the effects of the after match festivities, the next morning the party went on the army bus to Belsen.  A raucous crowd  soon became sombre and speechless as they entered the reception area to the concentration camp.  Visits to Celle, Hanover and Hamburg were arranged for the touring party.  A very memorable tour!