History - History 1
It is widely accepted that Newport Saracens RFC were officially founded in 1912 as there is a team photograph in circulation bearing the title "Newport Saracens 1912" which suggests that the club were in some form of existence then although there is no archive material or club records available from that time. Anecdotal evidence exists to suggest that the side disbanded for the duration of the First World War & reformed in 1921 using the Newport YMCA as its base
From the outset they had no permanent base & as such they were essentially 'nomadic' calling themselves Saracens, named after the wandering tribesmen who originated in the Middle East. They mainly played at Whiteheads in Bassaleg & the YMCA on Mendalgief Road. The pre Second World War captains were Charlie Lawrence, Berry Burpitt, R.Wilson, D.Gapper, Wilf Jones and Joe Dunn.
After World War II the Sarries re-assembled in the 1946/7 season, playing at various different venues. A 1948/9 fixture list shows there were only three other sides operating in Newport at that time - Civil Service, Whiteheads & St Julians HSOB.
In 1952 the club purchased two fields on the West side of Newport with a loan from the WRU. They cut down a dividing hedge, filled in a ditch which ran across the land & marked out their first pitch. They then constructed changing rooms at the end of Sandy Lane - all with voluntary labour.
They gradually grew stronger & were able to form a Second XV & as many of their players were members of the Newport Male Voice Choir they became quite famous for their singing!
In 1965 they leased the rooms above the Kings Arms Pub in Temple Street & started an operation of their own which proved highly successful.
The next year they bought the adjoining field & marked out a second pitch. The club were now running three sides.
The 60's were an extremely successful decade for the club. They won the Monmouthshire League & the Ben Francis Cup. They produced International players like Bobby Windsor and Charlie Faulkner & ex-Internationals such as Brian Cresswell were attracted to the club. The Saracens then ran four senior sides and a Youth XV.
In 1976 some of the original land was sold for development & the proceeds allowed the club to construct a new clubhouse at the ground which included changing facilities for four teams. A further land sale in 1982 funded new floodlights for the main pitch & with the clubs long term future secured financially the Sarries now boasted excellent facilities which helped attract many new recruits. A flourishing Junior set up which included Under 15, 16 & Youth XV's provided a home grown conveyor belt of talent for the Senior sides.
The members still worked hard to raise money & one of the prime sources of income were the hospitality functions organised for many years before & after Welsh International games at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff. To this day the tradition is carried on at the Terra Nova in Cardiff Bay.
The club are noted for their touring traditions also. In 1975 a 60 strong party flew to Bermuda & in 1979 the biggest rugby party to visit the USA (79) played in the South East part of the States based mainly in Atlanta. Another tour to Georgia USA was undertaken in 1989 & recent overseas tour destinations have included France Portugal & Spain. However, the ties & friendships formed with the Atlanta Renegades RFC as far back as the 1970's still exist today.
The 1990's were the last full decade that the club enjoyed at Sandy Lane. During that time the club gained two promotions but suffered one relegation & ceased to be a Monmouthshire Championship side with the advent of the WRU National Leagues in the early '90's. Players of the calibre of Jason Forster Matthew Robinson & Nicky Parkes were amongst the clubs prominent players at the time.
From the outset they had no permanent base & as such they were essentially 'nomadic' calling themselves Saracens, named after the wandering tribesmen who originated in the Middle East. They mainly played at Whiteheads in Bassaleg & the YMCA on Mendalgief Road. The pre Second World War captains were Charlie Lawrence, Berry Burpitt, R.Wilson, D.Gapper, Wilf Jones and Joe Dunn.
After World War II the Sarries re-assembled in the 1946/7 season, playing at various different venues. A 1948/9 fixture list shows there were only three other sides operating in Newport at that time - Civil Service, Whiteheads & St Julians HSOB.
In 1952 the club purchased two fields on the West side of Newport with a loan from the WRU. They cut down a dividing hedge, filled in a ditch which ran across the land & marked out their first pitch. They then constructed changing rooms at the end of Sandy Lane - all with voluntary labour.
They gradually grew stronger & were able to form a Second XV & as many of their players were members of the Newport Male Voice Choir they became quite famous for their singing!
In 1965 they leased the rooms above the Kings Arms Pub in Temple Street & started an operation of their own which proved highly successful.
The next year they bought the adjoining field & marked out a second pitch. The club were now running three sides.
The 60's were an extremely successful decade for the club. They won the Monmouthshire League & the Ben Francis Cup. They produced International players like Bobby Windsor and Charlie Faulkner & ex-Internationals such as Brian Cresswell were attracted to the club. The Saracens then ran four senior sides and a Youth XV.
In 1976 some of the original land was sold for development & the proceeds allowed the club to construct a new clubhouse at the ground which included changing facilities for four teams. A further land sale in 1982 funded new floodlights for the main pitch & with the clubs long term future secured financially the Sarries now boasted excellent facilities which helped attract many new recruits. A flourishing Junior set up which included Under 15, 16 & Youth XV's provided a home grown conveyor belt of talent for the Senior sides.
The members still worked hard to raise money & one of the prime sources of income were the hospitality functions organised for many years before & after Welsh International games at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff. To this day the tradition is carried on at the Terra Nova in Cardiff Bay.
The club are noted for their touring traditions also. In 1975 a 60 strong party flew to Bermuda & in 1979 the biggest rugby party to visit the USA (79) played in the South East part of the States based mainly in Atlanta. Another tour to Georgia USA was undertaken in 1989 & recent overseas tour destinations have included France Portugal & Spain. However, the ties & friendships formed with the Atlanta Renegades RFC as far back as the 1970's still exist today.
The 1990's were the last full decade that the club enjoyed at Sandy Lane. During that time the club gained two promotions but suffered one relegation & ceased to be a Monmouthshire Championship side with the advent of the WRU National Leagues in the early '90's. Players of the calibre of Jason Forster Matthew Robinson & Nicky Parkes were amongst the clubs prominent players at the time.
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