History - History 1
Although rugby was played in Briton Ferry for several years prior to 1988,there were a number of teams in the area such as The Crusaders , Melbourne, Village Boys and Giant’s Grave, it was in that year that the Briton Ferry RFC was formed creating a great deal of interest within the local community. From the beginning steelworkers formed the backbone of the Ferry teams, which were later strengthened by the arrival of a number of players from close neighbours the Melyn Barbarians club. In the early years the club flourished, with a local public house-The Grandison as its headquarters, the donation of a set of jerseys in his racing colours of royal blue, gold and white hoops by the local estate agent on behalf of the Earl of Jersey, gave the club an identity which survives to this day.
There were early signs that the Ferry would have some influence on Welsh rugby when a local Doctor E.V.Pegge, was capped at forward at the time with Wales against England, he was a Neath player at the time, they were considered to be well off at the time and this proved to be the case when he missed the departure of the team for their tour of Devon in 1887, so he chartered a special train to catch up with the team! He was also voted on to the Welsh Union committee in 1892 along with Gavin Henry of Llanelli as representative for the West Wales region.
The Ynysymaerdy ground was originally acquired from the Earl of Jersey as a permanent home for cricket in 1887, he acted as a generous benefactor, providing facilities free of rent to the cricket team as well as fencing the ground and taking steps top ensure the wicket improved, he also ensured that a number of former County players were hired as professionals or grounds men, this made the Briton Ferry Town C.C. one of the top sides in the area at the time.
1888-89-The first captain of the side was G.Phillips, who also went on to captain the side the following season .GL Pegg then took over the reigns in 1890-91; he was followed for the next two seasons by H.Hutchinson
1900-1901-This was the season that saw the club admitted to the WRU as a full member, the side was captained by Arthur Davy, he was then followed for the next two seasons by George Phillips, and he in turn was followed for another two seasons by Ben Phillips,
There were early signs that the Ferry would have some influence on Welsh rugby when a local Doctor E.V.Pegge, was capped at forward at the time with Wales against England, he was a Neath player at the time, they were considered to be well off at the time and this proved to be the case when he missed the departure of the team for their tour of Devon in 1887, so he chartered a special train to catch up with the team! He was also voted on to the Welsh Union committee in 1892 along with Gavin Henry of Llanelli as representative for the West Wales region.
The Ynysymaerdy ground was originally acquired from the Earl of Jersey as a permanent home for cricket in 1887, he acted as a generous benefactor, providing facilities free of rent to the cricket team as well as fencing the ground and taking steps top ensure the wicket improved, he also ensured that a number of former County players were hired as professionals or grounds men, this made the Briton Ferry Town C.C. one of the top sides in the area at the time.
1888-89-The first captain of the side was G.Phillips, who also went on to captain the side the following season .GL Pegg then took over the reigns in 1890-91; he was followed for the next two seasons by H.Hutchinson
1900-1901-This was the season that saw the club admitted to the WRU as a full member, the side was captained by Arthur Davy, he was then followed for the next two seasons by George Phillips, and he in turn was followed for another two seasons by Ben Phillips,
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