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The Welsh Rugby Union in Neath

 

WER

WALTER E REES

 1862 - 1949

Capt Walter E Rees ran the Welsh Rugby Union from his front room in a Neath Town Centre house for over 50 years, He has been the longest serving secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union. Prior to this he was secretary of Neath Rugby Club. In 1910 he was the assistant manager of the British team's tour of South Africa. His strength of character was legendary and together with Sir John Llewellyn (WRU President 1885-1906) also of Neath, he guided Wales through their first golden era in the early years of the 20th century. 

The much respected journalist JBG Thomas said of Walter "Never in the history of rugby football has one man wielded as much power as this benevolent 'dictator', who served rugby faithfully in his native land and maintained a dignity and a control that was the envy of many. He was Welsh rugby and not even Daniel Craven, the most powerful of modern administrators can match the influence possessed by Walter at the height of his power, in the days between the Wars." 

During his year as Mayor of Neath, Walter travelled with other members of the committee to Gloucester to view the tactics of the 1905 All Blacks. It was this committee who suggested the change in Welsh tactics which lead to the only defeat of the New Zealand 'Originals'.

 

Secretary Neath RFC 1888 - 1894

Treasurer Neath RFC 1894 - 1896

Secretary Welsh Rugby Union 1896 - 1948

Mayor of Neath 1905

Assistant manager British Lions 1910

 

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LETTER FROM 1950 & 1952 WELSH GRAND SLAMS CAPTAIN JOHN GWILLIAM TO THE WRU SECRETARY IN 1989 REQUESTING TICKETS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL. 

Gwilliam reminisces about his dealings with Walter Rees (bottom of page 1 and top of page 2) 

" No doubt the post of secretary has changed a lot in recent years. I look back with amusement at dear old Walter Rees who was in charge when I started playing after the war. It was said that he did everything from the front room of his house in Neath. He certainly frightened us as young players, queuing at his table for expenses at trial matches etc. He was quite capable of refusing anyone who claimed for more than a cheap day return."  (WRM-0203)

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Handbooks that belonged to Capt Walter E Rees. Printed by Neath Printing Co., Charlesville Place. Committee members had their names embossed on the back cover and they were used to gain entry to all matches under the jurisdiction of the union. These were Walter's working copies containing adjustments to referees and secretaries lists. Printed by Neath Printing Co, Charlesville Place. (WRM-0192)
13.jpg (44975 bytes) 11.jpg (59214 bytes) A Menu card for a presentation dinner in honour of Walter's 50 years serice as Secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union. Held at the Castle Hotel in Neath on Friday, 24th May 1946 (WRM-0188)

 

Samples of WRU stationary during Walter's period of office
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1919 - Return card - address Walter Rees and selection card for Welsh Trial match at Llanelly (WRM-0333) 1919 - Selection letter for trial match - Blues v Stripes at Neath (WRM-0338) 1926 - Final Instructions for Welsh Trial. (WRM-0196) 1930 - Final instructions for F v W at Paris. (WRM-0197)
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1935 - Final instructions for W v NZ at Cardiff. (WRM-0198) 1940 - Final Instructions for E v W Services international at Gloucester.  (WRM-0200) 1938 - WRU notice of committee meeting on decorative WRU-Neath letterhead. (WRM-0199) WRU notice of AGM 1938. (WRM-0202)

 

Yet another great administrator from Neath was Eric Evans, primarily responsible for founding the Welsh Secondary Schools Rugby Union, he took over from Walter Rees as secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1948. A post which he held until shortly before his death in 1955.  

 

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TICKETS PRINTED IN NEATH 

Our earliest Welsh ticket is dated 1903, printed by the Neath Printing Co, situated just behind the market in Neath, a short walk from Walter Rees' home. presumably this cut down on the cost of delivery and should any problems occur Walter was only a stone's throw away. The Neath Printing Co held the contract to print Welsh tickets even up until the late 1980s. Nearly 40 years on, Walter Rees' influence is still in evidence in Welsh rugby.

 

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1903

Wales v England at Swansea

Jehodia Hodges scored 3 tries in a 21 - 5 victory (WRM-0239)

1926

Wales v England

3 - 3 draw at the Arms park  (WRM-0240)

1927

Wales v Waratahs

press ticket - Wales lost 18 - 8  (WRM-0262)

1929

First French victory over Wales   (WRM-0246)

 

1930

11- 3 loss against the English   (WRM-0241)

 

1931

Old Internationals ticket, a 13 - 8 win for Wales    (WRM-0255)

 

 

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1932

A dropped goal by Ronnie Boon helped Wales to this first win over England for 10 years  (WRM-0245)

1935

Another great victory over the All Blacks

13 - 12   (WRM-0251)

 

1936

The gates were closed 2 hours before kick off, the ground was full, the crowd rushed the gates and stormed into the ground.   (WRM-0259)

 

1938

seats inside the ropes

v Ireland 1938 at Swansea 

  (WRM-0248)

 

1939

v Scotland - Elvet Jones, top try scorer on the 1938 Lions tour made his debut for Wales in this 11-3 welsh victory  (WRM-0261)

1946  

Wales v NZ Kiwis   (WRM-0260)

 

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1953

last victory over the All Blacks in 1953,  13 - 8   (WRM-0252)

1954

last international at St Helen's Swansea, postponed match played on 10th April  (WRM-0321)

1957

v International XV - celebrating the Empire Games, held at the Arms Park one year later in 1958   (WRM-0250)

1959

v Ireland 1959

8 - 6 victory to Wales  (WRM-0249)

1960

Press messenger - this ticket will only admit a boy - v South Africa 1960, a day before the Arms Park was flooded  (WRM-0258)

1963

Press Box

Terry Price a Llanelli schoolboy makes his debut 

v New Zealand 1963   (WRM-0253)

 

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1965

North Enclosure ticket 5/- (25p)

v England 1965

Stuart Watkins scores 2 tries in 14-3 victory  (WRM-0242)

1966

first Australian victory over Wales,  international debut for Barry John (WRM-0237)

1970

opening of the new Cardiff Arms Park, ticket for the NEW NORTH STAND (WRM-0254)

1970

Start of the 1970s, first five nations match in the NEW NORTH ENCLOSURE - Gareth Edwards commented "The singing of the crowd was tremendous, it inspired every one of us. (WRM-0257)

1973

Phil Bennett started it, Gareth Edwards finished it, the greatest try ever scored, this is on the half way line on that side of the field.   (WRM-0235)

1986

Lions v Rest of the World. First official Lions match on British soil.   (WRM-0236)

A printer's block and ticket from the late 1980's   (WRM-0336)

 

'POST' NEATH PRINTING Co. TICKETS
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1991

New floodlights for this night time international against France   (WRM-0247)

1993

W v E 1993 - Ieuan Evans touched down or this great victory. (WRM-0243)

1996

19,000 saw Wales' first victory over the Barbarians 31-10  (WRM-0238)

1997

last international at the Arms Park (WRM-0244)

 

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