BRIEF HISTORY OF PENLAN RFC

Penlan RFC was formed in 1967 from the Penlan Community Centre, since when it has been affiliated to the Swansea and District Rugby Union.

After using several venues in the early days, it settled at the Coracle Inn as a base, until the present clubhouse was built at Mynydd Newydd playing fields, opening the doors for business in December 1981.

Site of Penlan RFC before construction

Penlan RFC

After winning the Swansea and District League and Cup competitions on a number of occasions in past seasons Penlan sought more challenging rugby and played in the West Wales Premier League presently sponsored by Polypipe Civils plc. This league was comprised the top teams in the Swansea, Llanelli and Pembroke District Unions.  After making steady process through the seasons, Penlan won the League in the 2005 - 2006 season finishing nine clear points ahead of old rivals, Bonymaen.  Penlan are the first team, other than Carmarthen Quinns, to win the League and, in doing so, scored the highest number of points and conceded the lowest total in the competition.

Despite a noteworthy history and playing record, Penlan remained a District club without WRU status and, consequently, receive no annual funding from the Welsh Rugby Union. The success achieved is due, solely, to the hard work and the outstanding commitment of the unpaid players, committee and loyal supporters.

The club recently celebrated their fortieth anniversary, coinciding with the clubhouse refurbishment.  The Club has also recently completed the upgrading of the changing room and showering facilities.

They have also been granted planning permission to extend the present flood-lightng around the pitch and are engaged in fund raising to complete the project and hopefully, be able to play floodlit matches before long. All of these refurbishments and upgrades are to further the club ambition to advance and qualify for full WRU membership one day.

On the initiative and support of the City and County of Swansea Council a Rugbywise Project was launched at the club in September 2005 as part of the Penderry Sports scheme.  Supporting the project at the opening was the five times World Karate Champion, Geoff Thompson M.B.E.; Scott Johnson representing the WRU;  Ospreys and Wales player Gavin Henson, and Ospreys team Manager Derwyn Jones. The main aim of the project is to involve children in the playing of sport and channelling their leisure time off the streets while developing their character and team spirit. This has already proved successful, not only for Penlan RFC but also for the community and residents of  the Penderry area as a whole

Under the management and supervision of Rugbywise Co-ordinator, Mark Fitzgerald,  the junior rugby structure has been re-formed, with teams playing in teams of under 8, 9, 10, and  11 year olds.  The scheme is going from strength to strength with steady progress being made on the field.  If success was measured in spirit and enthusiasm alone, these youngsters are already champions.

The 2007/2008 season saw an exciting new development for Penlan with the formation by the WRU of 3 new Division 6 leagues being established for junior teams in the West, Central and East regions of Wales.   Penlan played in the West Division and won all our fixtures with maximum bonus try points.  We scored 152 tries and conceded just 7 and notched up 955 points with only 58 against us.  Consequently Penlan emerged as the inaugural Division 6 West Champions.   We desperately hope to hear that the WRU feel able to recognize our standard of rugby by allowing us to advance and play in a Division 5 League.  We are confident that we have demonstrated our ability to acquit ourselves well if we were to be given the opportunity to advance.   We need such promotion if we are to provide our players with a challenge and secure their future with Penlan.

PENLAN RFC - CAPTAINS RECORD         
         
1967   -   1968   Keith Thomas
1968   -   1969   Steve Knott
1969   -   1970   Robert Dacey
1970   -   1971   Mike Tomkins
1971   -   1972   Mike Tomkins
1972   -   1973   Mike Tomkins
1973   -   1974   John Irving
1974   -   1975   John Irving
1975   -   1976   Roger Wood
1976   -   1977   Roger Wood
1977   -   1978   John O'Malley
1978   -   1979   John Enoch
1979   -   1980   Peter Young
1980   -   1981   Chris Gange
1981   -   1982   Chris Gange
1982   -   1983   Chris Gange
1983   -   1984   Chris Gange
1984   -   1985   Chris Gange
1985   -   1986   Chris Gange
1986   -   1987   Robert Honey-Jones
1987   -   1988   Jeff Trotman
1988   -   1989   Jeff Trotman
1989   -   1990   David Hill
1990   -   1991   David Hill
1991   -   1992   Phil Pritchard
1992   -   1993   Phil Pritchard
1993   -   1994   Jeff Davies
1994   -   1995   Phil Pritchard
1995   -   1996   Phil Pritchard
1996   -   1997   Mark Joseph
1997   -   1998   Mark Joseph
1998   -   1999   Leighton Quinn
1999   -   2000   Lee Smith
2000   -   2001   Damien Riddler
2001   -   2002   Phil Green
2002   -   2003   Karl Wood (Father Roger Wood 75-77 - see picture on main gallery page)
2003   -   2004   Ian Scrine
2004   -   2005   Ian Scrine
2005   -   2006   Martin Dobbs
2006   -   2007   Ian Scrine
2007   -   2008   Ian Scrine

I Geisio yw I Lwyddo  -  To try is to succeed.