Club History

Welcome to the History section on The Whites' Official Website.

Here you will find an entry for every season since 1873/4, descriptions of memorable matches, statistics, significant dates in the calender, player profiles old and new and many hundreds of illustrations & photographs, some rare or unique and all describing the path of Swansea RFC from its earliest days to the present. Browse around the sections by using the tabs to the left and enjoy your online visit to the History of Swansea RFC.

Below is an introductory essay by Life Patron David Price who has spent nearly 60 years at the Club and was Hon Sec to The Whites from 1955 to 1992, an extraordinary record of service which well qualifies him to pen an overview of Swansea Rugby Club.

Club History 1873-2010

Swansea Rugby Club’s history is renowned the World over for its many achievements.

The ‘All Whites’ was initially formed in 1872 under association football rules and converted to rugby following a decision on 17 October 1874. It is believed the first rugby game played by Swansea was against Llandovery College on 28 November 1874.

In 1875 the club joined with the existing cricket club to become ‘Swansea Cricket & Football Club’. The current title Swansea R.F.C. Ltd dates from the age of professionalism (1995).

Since its inception, Swansea has always been a leading club, both within Wales and on the international scene. Early halcyon days were in the period 1898 - 1914 when they were invincible (1904/05) and Welsh champions on six other occasions.

The shirt colours first adopted by Swansea were blue and white horizontal stripes. Then, for one season, the players wore a vivid scarlet. The white jersey was adopted after that, and retained. The club did not truly become ‘All White’ until 10 January 1925 when white shorts were worn instead of the (usual) blue ones used previously.

Swansea defeated New Zealand 11-3 in 1935 to become the 1st club side to defeat the Southern Hemisphere ‘big 3’, following victories over Australia (1908) and South Africa (1912). Swansea had also gained the distinction of being the 1st club side ever to defeat a full New Zealand touring team.

Among the pre-war players of distinction were the legendary duo of Billy Bancroft and Billy Trew, together with Claude Davey, Rowe Harding, Dick Jones and Dicky Owen.

The immediate post war years brought only limited success, although a notable 6-6 draw was achieved against New Zealand in 1953 followed by a 9-8 victory against Australia in 1966. It was not until the club’s centenary season in 1973/74, however, that the club became Merit Table Champions. Swansea achieved further success as club champions in 1979/80, 1980/81, 1982/83 as well as Welsh cup winners in 1978.

Players during this period included Clem Thomas, Billy Williams, Dewi Bebb, Mervyn Davies, Geoff Wheel and David Richards.

Twenty-three Swansea players have toured with the British Lions and some one hundred and sixty seven have played with distinction since 1882 in various Welsh National sides. Amongst this number are four of the most capped players of all time, modern players Colin Charvis, Garin Jenkins, Robert Jones and Scott Gibbs.

The 2003/04 season has seen a significant change with the introduction of regional rugby in Wales. Swansea Rugby Football Club Ltd, co-owners of the Ospreys, are a Premiership Club which is also producing a development path to the Regional Squad for aspiring players.