On Saturday, 23rd March, following the 27-13 bonus point victory over Briton Ferry, the club in collaboration with the Maesteg RFC Past Players Association presented the first ever Maesteg RFC Recognition of Services Caps. These caps will be awarded to anyone who has excelled in service to the club in any capacity, playing or voluntary. The first recipients of the Maesteg RFC Recognition of Services Caps were:
The caps were presented by Club Chairman Dennis Thomas, Club President Leighton O'Connor and Club Secretary Darren Farmer. Photos of presentations.
** Peter Francis;
The Maesteg RFC Centenary Book in the 1979 -80 season section it says; 'For Maesteg's match against Celtic they brought in Peter Francis a Bonvilston farmer playing for Bridgend Athletic to partner the ever improving Russell Cornelious in the second row. Following that Peter went on to play an impressive 339 times, scoring 20 tries for Maesteg between 1979 & 1987, including playing an impressive 51 games in the centenary season. Peter captained the club for three consecutive seasons, between 1984 & 87, the first player to do so, playing mostly as one, if not, the most mobile prop forward in Welsh Rugby. Peter was capped once for Wales against Scotland at Murrayfield in 1987. The last Maesteg player to capped for his country whilst representing the club.
** Ray 'Chico' Hopkins:
This man is one of our -most successful products playing for Maesteg Youth, Maesteg, Wales and the British Lions. If it wasn’t for a certain scrum half playing for Cardiff, who he tells anyone who will listen, wasn’t half the player he was, sharing the same era, this guy would not doubt have been one of the games finest and most decorated players.
He made his senior debut for Maesteg in 1964 and played for 9 seasons until he was persuaded by the great Carwyn James to move to Llanelli where he played a staring role in the Scarlets famous win over the All Blacks in ’72. He may be the only scrum half in World Rugby to play in two separate teams that beat the All blacks.
Won a Welsh cap as a replacement coming on to score a try in a Welsh win over England at Twickenham in 1970 before touring New Zealand in 1971 with the British Lions playing 11 games including one test match.
Went “North” crossing codes to play Rugby League for Swinton in 1972
** Billy Pole;
Made his debut in 1967 and after five seasons left for Bridgend in 1972. Proving the grass isn’t always greener, he returned to the Old Parish in 1975 and captained the club for 3 consecutive seasons. With Peter Williams and Terry Dunne as coaches Billy was instrumental in starting the revival that culminated in our first Merit Table title in 1977 – 78 and probably one of the more successful periods in the club history.
He then coached Maesteg in the 1984 - 85 season with Wilson Lauder and Peter Francis as captain. Games 272 Tries 48 Con 3 Pens 4.
** Barrie Little;
Well what can be said about this man, he arrived at Maesteg RFC in 1982 as Baggage Man following an excellent career in the round ball game. A club legend despite being the one of the only people receiving a cap today whilst not pulling on the famous Black & Amber jersey. Rumour has it the Welsh team wanted him to be the baggage man for the Welsh national team one year but they wouldn’t pay his bus fare from Caraeu to Cardiff and they wouldn’t allow dogs in the National Stadium dressing room. Most ex-players who come back to the club always ask about him. We don’t really know what to do with him but we wouldn’t be without him!
** David Edwards;
A Pencoed boy who made his way up the Llynfi Valley, making his debut in 1981 and played for nine seasons until 1990. A quiet man but so well respected amongst his fellow players. He went on to captain the club in the 1987 - 88 season. During his time here he earned two Wales B caps vs France and Italy in 1986. Playing an impressive total of Games 277 as prop and scoring six tries.
** Gareth Brown;
A legend at Tondu RFC but unfortunately played only a handful of games for Maesteg during his time as coach alongside our President Leighton O'Connor from 2001 to 2008. He cemented his status as one of our best ever forwards coach in that we enjoyed some record breaking seasons during his tenure winning Division One in 2005 and gaining promotion to the Welsh Premiership where we played three seasons which was probably the clubs most successful period in recent memory.
** Kevin Baldwin;
This man was known as Mr Indestructible by the Old Parish supporters. He made his debut for Maesteg in 1999, playing 192 games until leaving the club in 2009. Not a local man but showed his loyalty and dedication to the club by answering the SOS call in 2018 when he came out of retirement to help us out when we dropped down the divisions to the bottom league. He played 11 games for us in that campaign, to which the club will be eternally grateful, and in doing so, passed his 200 appearances for the club, finishing on 203 games, scoring 24 tries and 3 conversions.
** Glyn Lee;
Another man with Black & Amber running through his veins. Made his debut for the club in 1969 and made a total of 125 appearances scoring 50 tries, an impressive return. When on to coach Maesteg in the 1990- 91 season alongside Leighton Davies. In the 1991 - 92 season alongside Peter Williams. In the 1993 - 94 season alongside Billy Howe and Steve Brown. Was Coach and Chairman of Maesteg Youth and to cap it all off he rebuilt the clubhouse following the devastating fire 10 years ago.
** Mark Hillier-Rees;
Probably a modern great of our club, he is the first player to captain Maesteg RFC for five seasons, and doing so consecutively. He’s a quiet man but has had and continues to have such a huge influence on our current young squad. He’s in his second spelled at the club after a few seasons down the road at Maesteg Celtic. Currently has over 160 appearances and 14 tries to his name.
** Stephen Tremlett;
What can be said about this man who has done almost everything in a Black & Amber jersey. Blotted his copy book by leaving for a short stint in the white of Swansea. He could be the first person to have played and coached our club in mini, junior, Youth and seniors. Hasn’t served on the committee yet, but there’s always time for that!!!!
Started his senior career in 2002 and played 218 games for the club including one in the 2017-18 season after his retirement. Then in the 2018 - 19 season he carried on to help us when we dropped down the divisions and arguably became the first Maesteg prop forward to score three tries in consecutive games at seasons start. He played in 18 games that season and scored five tries in total. Has coached us now for several seasons alongside his brother in law Gareth Goodridge and produced two sons, Gethin & Iestyn, to play for the current Maesteg side.
He’s played a total of 238 games, scoring 8 tries. A Wales U21 cap.
**Royden Sterio
During the last forty years, this gentleman has been an ever present. He never adorned the Black & Amber jersey but did so much for the club off the field to ensure we have the facilities we have today. He came to the club in the 1973/74 season a joined the committee soon after and served as a committee man for over 20 year and was a founding member of The A Team and has brought through many apprentices who carry on the good work for us all today. Due to ill health he doesn’t attend the club as much as he or we wish he did since he emigrated down the valley to Bridgend. It’s always a pleasure to see him especially now as he’s in his 95th year.
There doesn't appear to be any tagged photos.
Please wait as the server processes your request. Do not attempt to refresh the page.
Processing
Processing