:Merthyr RFC

Merthyr's first reported match was an association football match played on 14/09/1876, when Merthyr lost 3-0 to Mr. Lloyd's School (Merthyr).{{Cite web|url=https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3076802/3076805/12/football%20AND%20merthyr|title = LOCAL}} The first public rugby game involving Merthyr was on 23 November 1876 against a side from Brecon. The result is believed to have been a draw.{{Cite web|url=https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3076847/3076850/7/football|title = LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.|1876-11-24|The Merthyr Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Iron Districts of South Wales - Welsh Newspapers}} Merthyr RFC are recognised as one of the eleven clubs present on 12 April 1881 for the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union.Fields of Praise, The Official History of the Welsh Rugby Union 1881-1981 pp41, David Smith, Gareth Williams (1980) The club, along with Brecon, Pontypool, Llandovery College, Lampeter College and Llandeilo then inaugurated the South Wales Cup competition in the 1877-78 season.Fields of Praise, The Official History of the Welsh Rugby Union 1881-1981 pp43, David Smith, Gareth Williams (1980)

During these early years Merthyr RFC played at the Plymouth Ground at Pentrebach and were known as Merthyr Alexandra.

Around 1889 it seems Merthyr disbanded, mainly due to difficulty in being able to obtain a rugby ground.{{Cite web|url=https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3671386/3671391/25/football%20AND%20merthyr|title = FOOTBALL AT MERTHTB.|1889-09-21|South Wales Daily News - Welsh Newspapers}} The club were "reorganised" in October 1889 and were now using the Penydarren Park.{{Cite web|url=https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4320221/4320225/94/football|title=FOOTBALL.I|1889-10-11|The Western Mail - Welsh Newspapers}}{{Cite web|url=https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4231055/4231058/58/football|title=-Ii TO-DAH FOOTBALL, i|1889-10-19|South Wales Echo - Welsh Newspapers}}

Following the First World War the Club played at Gwynnes Field, Cefn Coed and also at Penydarren Park although during the Second World War there was very little rugby played in Merthyr, a situation reflected throughout Wales. However, in 1948 a meeting governed by Cyril Williams, Monty Warrington and Ron Gethin was enthusiastically supported and the game of rugby union returned to Merthyr Tydfil. The club played out of Dix's field, Danydarren, and then on to Glyndyrus field Abercanaid, before moving to the current ground, the Wern in Ynysfach in 1958.

In September 1960 the New Clubhouse opened in Ynysfach, and two years later, Merthyr Youth were formed.

Merthyr RFC played Amateur District Rugby in the Rhondda and East Glamorgan District until they defeated Mold RFC at Abercynon to secure promotion and entry to the Fifth Division of the Heineken League under the Captaincy of Craig Dummett in 1993/4. Promotion immediately followed from the fifth to the fourth, then the third to the first in successive years (The two division jump caused by WRU restructuring of the league). Merthyr remained in the First Division for six seasons before being relegated to Division 2 following a players' strike. It took three seasons to achieve promotion back to the first division.

In 2013-14, the Ironmen completed a Double under the Captaincy of Steve Lang and coached by former Wales International Lee Jarvis. They won the League Division 1 East title, securing their promotion to the WRU Championship, and also won the SWALEC Plate Final 29-26, against Rhiwbina at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.[https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/swalec-finals-day-merthyr-given-7071628 Swalec Finals Day: Merthyr given scare by Rhiwbina but hang on to claim Swalec Plate title] "WalesOnline"

In 2015-16, Merthyr RFC enjoyed further success by winning the WRU SWALEC Championship, gaining promotion to the WRU Principality Premiership.[http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/club/swalecchampionship/table.php?includeref=23128&season=2015-2016 2015-16 SWALEC Championship league table] WRU

In 2016-17, the Ironmen completed a remarkable revolution by achieving their most successful season to date. The club won the WRU Principality Premiership during their inaugural season, with the final played against Aberavon RFC.[https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-match-reports/merthyr-rfc-complete-remarkable-revolution-13069320 Merthyr RFC complete remarkable revolution to become champions as sacked Aberavon legend comes back to haunt them] BBC They also reached the semi-final of the SWALEC Cup, eventually losing to RGC 1404.[https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/rgc-24-20-merthyr-sam-12799763 RGC 24-20 Merthyr: Sam Jones the hero as the Ironmen suffer semi-final heartbreak at Sardis Road] WalesOnline

:See also :Category:Merthyr RFC players

• {{Flagicon|Wales}} Andy Powell
• {{Flagicon|Wales}} Jonathan Bryant
• {{Flagicon|Wales}} Tom James
• {{Flagicon|Wales}} Kristian Dacey
• {{Flagicon|Wales}} Robert Sidoli
• {{Flagicon|England}} Ben Morgan

• Division 1 East champions: 2013-14{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/amateur-rugby/merthyr-rfc-wrap-up-league-7041106 |title=Merthyr RFC wrap up the league to earn promotion to the Championship with three games to spare |publisher=Wales Online | date=28 April 2014 }}
• SWALEC Plate winners: 2013-14{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/swalec-finals-day-merthyr-given-7071628 |title= Swalec Finals Day: Merthyr given scare by Rhiwbina but hang on to claim Swalec Plate title |publisher= Wales Online | date=4 May 2014 }}
• WRU Championship Winners: 2016
• Principality Premiership: 2017, 2018, 2019
• WRU National Cup: 2018

• South Wales Ironmen

• [http://merthyr.rfc.wales/ Merthyr RFC official website]
• [https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=merthyr%20rfc&sort=date-posted-desc Images tagged 'Merthyr RFC'] on Flickr

{{reflist}}

{{Welsh Rugby Union Founding Members}}

{{Welsh Premier Division}}

Category:Rugby clubs established in 1876

Category:Rugby union teams in Wales

Category:1876 establishments in Wales

Category:Sport in Merthyr Tydfil