Josh Davies wearing one of the new Training Tops
The Neath Rugby Supporters Club AGM will take place on Monday 18 August 2014 at 7:30pm at the Neath RFC Clubhouse.
The AGM will be an opportunity to hear what the club has achieved in its first year and to elect or re-elect officers for the coming year.
Admission to the AGM will be strictly for members only, so please remember to bring your membership cards with you.
Members will receive further information via e-mail or post in the coming days
The next participant to go under Phill’s spotlight is Neath Director of Rugby Rowland Phillips!
Q. Hi Rowland and Welcome Home!! What’s your first rugby memory??
A. Watching Wales playing in the 70s and never thinking they could lose
Q. Who was your inspiration to get into rugby??
A. Gordon Richards and Ieuan Hughes…they started Mini Rugby at St Davids Rfc…where I started.
Q. Who were your rugby (or other sporting) heroes growing up?
A. Ray Gravell basically I admired the way he played 100% every time
Q. You have played against us for Treorchy before, but what about your best on-field memories?
A. There are so many..but I was always proud to play alongside Brian Williams and everything he did was a special on-field memory
Q. It must be good to be back at the Club after all the success in your previous spell, and abroad…
A. Neath is a special club.. I am proud to be back. As a player and a coach these opportunities have been a privilege
Q. What are your highlights during your career and what would you like the Team to achieve this year?
A. There are so many highlights as a player and a coach..but I admire the way Neath always punches above its weight..and wins things.
I would like the team to achieve its potential…with the right attitude and hunger then all options are open.
Q. Some quirky and quickfire questions… What’s the funniest thing you have seen on the field?!
A. Lyn Jones waving to the crowd (like the queens wave) as he was being stretchered off after braking his leg.
Q. Favourite and Worst Grounds?
A. Favourite Gnoll Worst….Batley (Rugby League)
Q. Toughest Opponent?
A. Wayne Sheford
Q. Biggest joker at Neath/Elsewhere?
A. Lyn Jones…..very sharp cookie!!! Very funny. (I think some people might say me)
Q. Favourite Meal/Drink
A. Steak…Blackcurrant and lemonade with ice..
Q. Any superstitions/Pre-match rituals?
A. None
Q. What’s your message for the Neath faithful for the coming season?
A. Read the above….I am passionate about this club and it has been a major part of shaping me and my life…I will do everything in my power to bring the success back to Neath rugby….I owe the club that!
Neath success has always been achieved by a collective effort so I ask the Neath faithful to continue your great support and together we will create more great memories at Neath RFC.
Thanks for your time Rowland and good luck to the boys on the field for an injury free and successful season, and off the field making the Blacks an exciting Brand once again!
You can see the rest of the Black List features by clicking here
Today’s Black List interview sees Phill Lawrence chat to new signing Ashley Evans
Q. Hi Ash and welcome back to Neath! Some supporters won’t realise you’ve already had one appearance in the famous Black Jersey before, but what’s your first rugby memory??
A. My first rugby memory would be playing at Cwmgwrach RFC where I started the journey with Neath’s Pat Horgan being part of the coaching staff.
Q. Who was your inspiration to get into rugby??
A. Parents, brother, and the boys I grew up with.
Q. Who were your rugby (or other sporting) heroes growing up?
A. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Usain Bolt, Shane Williams.
Q. You have played against us for Bridgend before, but what about your best on-field memories?
A. Best on field memory has to be the dying minutes of the JWC 2013 semi final in France.
Q. It must be good to see Rowland at the Club after all the success he brought to Neath during his previous spell, and in his time abroad…
A. Definitely, he’s going to be a big boost to the team this year with the experience he has.
Q. What are your highlights during your career so far and what would you like the Team to achieve this year?
A. My Highlight so far has to be reaching the JWC 2013 Final (lets not talk about the result and who it was against) and also Wales 7s tournaments in Dubai, South Africa, Vegas and Wellington. I would like to see Neath back up the top end of the Premiership table, where they belong!
Q. Some quirky and quickfire questions… What’s the funniest thing you have seen on the field?!
A. Rhodri Hughes getting his pants pulled down
Q. Favourite and Worst Grounds?
A. Favourite – Westpac Stadium Wellington, Hurricanes Ground
Worst – Dowlais RFC – freezing
Q. Toughest Opponent?
A. 15’s – Seabelo Senatla
Q. Biggest joker at Neath/Elsewhere?
A. I don’t really know the boys that well yet… but I have a feeling I will sooner rather than later!!
Q. Favourite Meal/Drink
A. Dominos Pizza & Fanta Fruit Twist
Q. Any superstitions/Pre-match rituals?
A. I must tie my left boot before my right, own headphones for music.
Q. What’s your message for the Neath faithful for the coming season?
A. Keep doing what you always have, it’s amazing the difference the support makes.
Thanks for your time Ash and good luck for an injury free and successful season!
You can see the rest of the Black List features by clicking here
In the latest installment in the series of Q&As with Neath’s players and management, Phill Lawrence speaks to new Chief Executive, Will Thomas:
Q. Hi Will and Welcome to Neath! What’s your first rugby memory??
A. Hi Phill, thanks for the welcome. As you know I was brought up on rugby at Cross Keys and I have a vague recollection of watching them play Fiji in 1985, I would have been 8 at the time.
Q. Who was your inspiration to get into rugby??
A. I’m not sure I would call it an inspiration but my Uncle took me down to train with Risca minis U8s and I fell in love with it from there.
Q. Who were your rugby (or other sporting) heroes growing up?
A. My Mum tells me that I wanted to be Daley Thompson when I was growing up. John Barnes was my absolute hero and from a rugby perspective I looked up to more Club players such as Cross Keys players Barry Peebles, Nicky Parkes and Phil Withers.
Q. You have played against us for Ebbw and Keys before, but what about your best on-field memories?
A. Usually whenever I’ve played against Neath we would have a hammering. I was telling Rowland the other day that I played for Ebbw when Mike Ruddock was coaching us, the game was live on TV, we got hammered and my one over riding memory was looking to carry into a solid line of black defenders with Rowland in the middle of it. Suffice to say we didn’t get any change out of that defence on the night.
But I’ve also got some good memories, of captaining Cross Keys to beat Neath at the Gnoll in 2006/07 (6-10 hammering rain – PWL!). A also had man of the match which that day which was presented to me upstairs in the Club house by former Neath player Mike Whitson. I’ll admit we were lucky to win that day though so the win that gave me most pleasure was when I was player coach with Ebbw, with Pat as Head Coach in 2007/08. We comfortably won on the day and the result pretty much heralded the end of Jason Forster’s reign with Rowland coming back as Head Coach.
Q. It must be good to see Rowland at the Club after all the success he brought during his previous spell, and abroad…
A. I knew Rowland was quite iconic in Neath but since I’ve been on board everybody has been talking about his return so it has really hit home how he is weaved into the fabric of Neath. He without doubt knows how to win rugby matches and it’s great seeing him and Pat back together.
Q. What are your highlights during your career so far and what would you like the Team to achieve this year?
A. My playing highlight were probable playing in the World Cup 7s or the Hong Kong 7s because they were such big occasions.
I’m going to avoid making predictions on the teams results so having spoken to a lot of supporters in the past few weeks I’m going to say that by the end of the season I want the supporters to be proud of the players and what they have achieved.
Q. Some quirky and quickfire questions… What’s the funniest thing you have seen on the field?!
A. I’m going to take the liberty of cheating on this one and choose a slightly off field situation as it has a Neath link… When one of the Cross Keys players stole the Neath’s mascot head after the game. The way that the PR team at Neath handled that was brilliant, as I remember there were pictures on the website of the Bull with no head and Rowland and school children stood around him crying demanding the Bull’s head back. (I remember it well!! – PWL)
Q. Favourite and Worst Grounds?
A. Eugene Cross Park has always been a favourite, playing down into the bottom left hand corner in front of the bank was great. If I’m allowed another I liked Stradey Park also. Worst probable had to be at Carmarthen as I don’t think I have won there, oh and that wind!!!
Q. Toughest Opponent?
A. Scott Quinnell with his handoff of God. Unstoppable in top gear.
Q. Biggest joker at Neath/Elsewhere?
A. Pat Horgan!!! I hope that brings a smile to his face. No I guess it’s Rowland.
Q. Favourite Meal/Drink
A. Hot curry and a pint of Heineken.
Q. Any superstitions/Pre-match rituals?
A. I’m too rational for superstitions, although I usually had a favourite place to sit in the changing rooms.
Q. What’s your message for the Neath faithful for the coming season?
A. Everyone is working extremely hard behind the scenes with the sole intention of returning Neath to where they belong and I can’t wait for that first game of the season.
Thanks for your time Will and good luck to the boys on the field for an injury free and successful season, and off the field making the Blacks an exciting Brand once again!
You can see the rest of the Black List features by clicking here
It has been revealed this week that Neil Edwards has left the club. Neil has spent the past two seasons with us as coach, following on from his playing days with the club. It was as Head Coach that he led us to safety and premiership survival following a tough season.
The supporters club naturally wishes Neil all the best for the future and thanks him for all his efforts as both a player and a coach with Neath.
Also leaving us is centre Adam Jones, who is re-joining former club Ebbw Vale upon their return to the premiership. Adam made an impact and became a crowd favourite with his strong running and pinpoint goal kicking during the early part of last season. Unfortunately, a broked leg sustained in the friendly against Glyneath brought a permeture end to his season and ultimately his career at the Gnoll.
Again, we thank him for all his efforts and wish him well at Eugene Cross Park.
James Goode
With the news of three new signings being officially confirmed by the club this week it is also an opportunity to say goodbye and thank you to those players moving on to new pastures.
So far, we know for definite that James Goode and Josh Davies have left.
James brought a great deal of professional experience to our pack last year and played a key role in helping us avoid relegation. He always provided a torrent of good quality line out ball, whether on our throw or the opposition’s!! We wish him well on his move to Cardiff.
Josh moves to Plymouth after one season at the Gnoll, where he played in nearly every game for us. He had many superb matches, not least the game against Aberavon where his two tries set us up for what was possibly the most important win in Neath’s history. I’m sure we’ll here a lot more about Josh in the future. In the meantime, I’m sure we’ll all look forward to seeing Josh back at the Gnoll when Plymouth visit us for a pre-season friendly on August 16th.
I’m sure all Neath fans will join me in thanking them for their immense efforts during one of the most difficult seasons in Neath’s history and wish them well at their new clubs.
(I’m sure there are others that will be moving on, but as these have not been officially announced yet we’ll hold off publicly thanking them here for now. )
Just a quick update for people who may have missed some of the comings and goings at the Gnoll over the last few weeks.
Rowland Phillips has been appointed the new Director of Rugby
Will Thomas has been installed as a Chief Executive
Luke Ford has said that he is re-joining the club
Lee Beach will also return to the Gnoll
The following players have confirmed that they are remaining at the club next year
Lee Evans
Dai Langdon
Emyr Williams
Ryan Evans
Josh Davies has joined Plymouth
James Goode has confirmed he has left to join Cardiff
Also Plymouth Albion have confirmed that they will play a friendly against us at the Gnoll on 16th August
Zar-X will supply the kit for the new season
We’ll provide further updates as we find things out.
Following the postponement of this evening’s Neath Rugby Supporters Trust, the trust have asked us to publicise the following reason:
“Tonight’s meeting has been postponed as information has been received by the Supporters Trust that makes the meeting slightly premature. We will let you know a new date asap”
UPDATE – The meeting’s venue has been changed. It will now take place at Neath YMCA at 7:30pm
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The Neath Rugby Supporters Trust have asked us to help publicise a forthcoming meeting they are holding.
All supporters are invited and will be an opportunity to meet with the supporters trust and hear what their plans are.
The meeting will be held on Friday 20th June at 7:00pm. The venue will be the Neath Athletic Clubhouse, Bridge Street, Neath.
What a night that was. A sell out crowd gathered to pay tribute to some of Neath’s greats as TP Whittington, Brian Williams, Brian Thomas, Shane Williams, Steve Powell and Dai Morris became the first players to be inducted into the Neath Rugby Supporters Club Hall of Fame.
The evening started with club historian Mike Price talking of the club’s great history and talking of all the other players who could have merited inclusion. It was quite a list.
On to the main awards and first up was legendary prop Brian Williams. Of course, Brian sadly passed away back in 2007 and so it was his daughters who received his cap on his behalf from current Neath loose head Nicky Downs.
Next award went to Brian Thomas. Again, sadly Brian Thomas is no longer with us and so his daughter received his award from former Neath second row Gareth Llewellyn.
The next inductee was Shane Williams. Sadly Shane couldn’t be persuaded to make a flying visit back from Japan to attend the evening, and our budget didn’t quite stretch to sending me out there to award his cap in person. Nevertheless, he did record a special message of thanks which was played to the audience. Dai Parker then presented the award to Shane’s former Ospreys and Wales team-mate James Hook.
After Shane, it was the turn of ex Neath centre (or wing/fullback/out side half/scrum half/prop/hooker/second row/flanker/no.8) Steve Powell to receive his award. The award was presented by current Neath outside half (and part time centre) Dai Langdon.
The final award of the evening went to legendary Neath and Wales flanker Dai ‘The Shadow’ Morris. The award was presented by Neath’s current flanker and captain Lee Evans. In accepting his award Dai paid tribute to his teamates, saying that he wouldn’t have achieved what he did without those around him.
The final formality of the evening was the unveiling of the Hall of Fame honours board. This was done by Rhys and Sarah Davies of R&SD Risk Management, kind sponsors of the evening.
Former Neath second row, Gareth Llewellyn then took the floor to regale us with his memories of his time playing for the club. He had the room crying with laughter with his tales of what the squad got up to on their tours to France back in the 1980s – anyone for bullfighting?
Next it was the turn of James Hook to join Gareth Llewellyn on the floor to take part in a Q&A session with the fans where they answered questions truthfully and honestly.
As well as those who took part in the presentations, it was also nice to see other past and present players come along to support the night, including Glen Ball, Euros Evans, Roy Jones, Aaron Bramwell, Leon Ward and Patrick Horgan.
It was clear that everyone there thoroughly enjoyed themselves and our thanks must go to all those people mentioned above who contributed to the evening. We’d also like to thank all those who attended. Your support is much appreciated and there would have been no point putting the evening if there was no interest from the supporters. So thank you very much.
So, I suppose now it’s time to start planning next year’s event!!!
Neath Rugby Supporters Club 