Merthyr RFC set to become new force in Welsh Rugby

First topic message reminder :

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/merthyr-rfc-set-become-new-9377183

Thoughts?

I actually agree with some of that note above, the valleys are looked upon as a third world region. People do not realise how much the Welsh valleys actually give to the regions, I bet if you looked through the four regions squads, you would find a lot of players that have come from the valleys, not just Cardiff Blues, but all the regions, I bet every region has a few players in their teams and academies that have come from the valleys north of the M4.

The Welsh valleys have been, and always will be the heartbeat of Wales and Welsh rugby, we are not all poor, missing teeth, dirty, scruffy, and living in shanty towns up here, but the way people see us is like we are all cavemen. The valleys have been neglected for too long, we are a very proud people, we have true values, and most of all we are very patriotic.

There is NO PRO RUGBY in the valleys and it is a crying shame, the government has neglected the towns for too long, and there is so much potential up here. People need to start realising that there is life north of Radyr and the Vale of Glamorgan, I challenge anybody who does not live in the valleys to come up and spend a day in Merthyr, go shopping, visit the Brecon Beacons national park, have lunch in the picturesque village of Pontsticill and take a walk in the foothills of the Beacons. The valleys are steeped in history and we are a proud people.

Ok, after that montage, I will agree though that part of the Pontypridd fractions do behave badly.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Like it or not Ponty won't be happy unless there in Pro rugby (in whatever guise) being played in Sardis under a Ponty name simple as.

They will never get that now. Also Llanelli should have never had it from the start.

LordDowlais wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Like it or not Ponty won't be happy unless there in Pro rugby (in whatever guise) being played in Sardis under a Ponty name simple as.

They will never get that now. Also Llanelli should have never had it from the start.

LD,

None of them should have had it from the start we all know it was set up wrong but some are trying harder than others to make it work.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Like it or not Ponty won't be happy unless there in Pro rugby (in whatever guise) being played in Sardis under a Ponty name simple as.

Exactly.

bedfordwelsh wrote:None of them should have had it from the start we all know it was set up wrong but some are trying harder than others to make it work.

Does actually spending my money and going down to Cardiff most weeks to watch a shower of Poopie lose count as working harder than others ?

I felt like that in the 90s with Wales and as an Ebbw and Dragons fan then trust me over the years I definitely know that feeling lol but we are gluttons for punishment I guess.

bedfordwelsh wrote:I felt like that in the 90s

errrggghhhhhhh, that just sent a shiver down my spine. I remember Pretoria, and I remember the wooden spoons, but there were some vintage years, 1994, and 1999 were not to bad. It's just every time we unearthed a gem in those days, they were snapped up by rugby league.

And that is why, when the Welsh XV triumph the broadcasters still chirrup, 'They'll be singing in the Valleys tonight!' Not, you'll note, in the Vale, or the City –
That is just lazy journalism for goodness sake !! The media have in the past describe Catherine Zeta Jones as being ‘from the Valleys’ !!

What Ponty want = Full time pro rugby at the ‘top table, playing at Sardis Road in Black & White (or Edwards Coaches colours)
If there was a ‘Valleys’ Region playing games around the Valleys – Rhondda, Cynon, Rhymney, Ebbw, Taf, Garw ..etc (IE not exclusively at Sardis Road) they wouldn’t be happy

PenfroPete wrote:And that is why, when the Welsh XV triumph the broadcasters still chirrup, 'They'll be singing in the Valleys tonight!' Not, you'll note, in the Vale, or the City –
That is just lazy journalism for goodness sake !! The media have in the past describe Catherine Zeta Jones as being ‘from the Valleys’ !!

What Ponty want = Full time pro rugby at the ‘top table, playing at Sardis Road in Black & White (or Edwards Coaches colours)

Not this Ponty supporter. I would quite happily support a proper region like East Wales. I would also have no problems with all games being at the Arms Park as I live in Cardiff. I could go to East Wales games on the Friday night then a few drinks in town and Ponty games on the Saturday afternoon with a few pints in Ponty before crashing back at the folks place for the night. That situation would suit me fine (if not perfect infact)

PenfroPete wrote:And that is why, when the Welsh XV triumph the broadcasters still chirrup, 'They'll be singing in the Valleys tonight!' Not, you'll note, in the Vale, or the City –

It makes me cringe. The Valleys is synonymous with the ghastly tv programme of the same name.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

PenfroPete wrote:And that is why, when the Welsh XV triumph the broadcasters still chirrup, 'They'll be singing in the Valleys tonight!' Not, you'll note, in the Vale, or the City –

It makes me cringe. The Valleys is synonymous with the ghastly tv programme of the same name.

Utter rubbish, no one from the Valleys I know including friends and family relate to that programme the same as real Geordies don't relate to Geordie shores crap.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

PenfroPete wrote:And that is why, when the Welsh XV triumph the broadcasters still chirrup, 'They'll be singing in the Valleys tonight!' Not, you'll note, in the Vale, or the City –

It makes me cringe. The Valleys is synonymous with the ghastly tv programme of the same name.

More ignorance again, Chunky, you should try and come up to Merthyr and see a town steeped in history surrounded by beautiful countryside and with plenty on offer for shopping and places to eat and the what not, there is also plenty to do, there is more leisure events than you can shake a stick at up here. Without the valleys there would not be any rugby at all in Wales.

Chunky Norwich wrote:The Valleys is synonymous with the ghastly tv programme of the same name.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Utter rubbish, no one from the Valleys I know including friends and family relate to that programme the same as real Geordies don't relate to Geordie shores crap.

LordDowlais wrote:More ignorance again, Chunky, you should try and come up to Merthyr and see a town steeped in history surrounded by beautiful countryside and with plenty on offer for shopping and places to eat and the what not, there is also plenty to do, there is more leisure events than you can shake a stick at up here. Without the valleys there would not be any rugby at all in Wales.

Think old Chunky here is starting to show his true colours gentlemen. Such ignorance like this represents what is wrong with Welsh rugby and Wales in general as an economy

LordDowlais wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

PenfroPete wrote:And that is why, when the Welsh XV triumph the broadcasters still chirrup, 'They'll be singing in the Valleys tonight!' Not, you'll note, in the Vale, or the City –

It makes me cringe. The Valleys is synonymous with the ghastly tv programme of the same name.

More ignorance again, Chunky, you should try and come up to Merthyr and see a town steeped in history surrounded by beautiful countryside and with plenty on offer for shopping and places to eat and the what not, there is also plenty to do, there is more leisure events than you can shake a stick at up here. Without the valleys there would not be any rugby at all in Wales.

So the Ponty programme notes aren't ignorant in the slightest. But I am.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

PenfroPete wrote:And that is why, when the Welsh XV triumph the broadcasters still chirrup, 'They'll be singing in the Valleys tonight!' Not, you'll note, in the Vale, or the City –

It makes me cringe. The Valleys is synonymous with the ghastly tv programme of the same name.

More ignorance again, Chunky, you should try and come up to Merthyr and see a town steeped in history surrounded by beautiful countryside and with plenty on offer for shopping and places to eat and the what not, there is also plenty to do, there is more leisure events than you can shake a stick at up here. Without the valleys there would not be any rugby at all in Wales.

So the Ponty programme notes aren't ignorant in the slightest. But I am.

They don't slag off Cardiff as a place like you just did with the Valley's or put people into negative stereotype categories

Nevermind though I'm sure Risca will be along any minute now to back you up with some relentless anti-Ponty attack against me

Also noticed you only responded to my comment and not what Bedford or LD said to you. See me as an easy target do you...

Then again I guess Risca must see me as an easy target as it's only me he insults and targets. Ah the life of an internet hardman hey

Chunky Norwich wrote:So the Ponty programme notes aren't ignorant in the slightest. But I am.

Chunky, you made us all out to look like those silly billy off the programe I'm sorry but we are not like that, it was so insulting, making out that us valley oikes had to travel down to the big smoke just to make a life for ourselves.

LordDowlais wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:So the Ponty programme notes aren't ignorant in the slightest. But I am.

Chunky, you made us all out to look like those silly billy off the programe I'm sorry but we are not like that, it was so insulting, making out that us valley oikes had to travel down to the big smoke just to make a life for ourselves.

Can you not see this was a direct corresponding comment relating to PenfroPete's quote about the Valleys?

LordDowlais wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:So the Ponty programme notes aren't ignorant in the slightest. But I am.

Chunky, you made us all out to look like those silly billy off the programe I'm sorry but we are not like that, it was so insulting, making out that us valley oikes had to travel down to the big smoke just to make a life for ourselves.

I'm from a village of 800 people by the way.

silly billy, WTF. PC brigade gone mad.

Pontypridd RFC sign Ceri Sweeney and Risca Rev says this is low ambition by Sweeney signing for a semi-professional club

Andy Powell signs for Merthyr RFC who not yet even in the Premiership...Risca Rev says nothing

Moneyman comes to Merthyr offering to buy success for the club...Risca says this is great

If a moneyman came to Pontypridd offering to buy success for the club...Risca says typical selfish old Ponty who can't accept they are a feeder club

Steffan wrote:
Moneyman comes to Merthyr offering to buy success for the club...Risca says this is great

Yous ay that like he's never been invovled with Merthyr before.

Chunky Norwich wrote:I'm from a village of 800 people by the way.

And I am sure it is a very nice place, what that has to do with anything though only you will know.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Steffan wrote:
Moneyman comes to Merthyr offering to buy success for the club...Risca says this is great

Yous ay that like he's never been invovled with Merthyr before.

When was he last involved with Merthyr then just put of interest?

Chunky Norwich wrote:I'm from a village of 800 people by the way

Cool. My TV is made by Sony...

Steffan wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Steffan wrote:
Moneyman comes to Merthyr offering to buy success for the club...Risca says this is great

Yous ay that like he's never been invovled with Merthyr before.

When was he last involved with Merthyr then just put of interest?

He does not even live here, the last I heard he was living in Jersey or Guernsey, I know his son is living on the Isle of White though, my misses mate used to date him, his son has some obsession with Merthyr and the pub called the Wyndam Arms, although i doubt he has never been there, I think he just saw it from Britians roughest pubs when it was on the tele.

Steffan wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Steffan wrote:
Moneyman comes to Merthyr offering to buy success for the club...Risca says this is great

Yous ay that like he's never been invovled with Merthyr before.

When was he last involved with Merthyr then just put of interest?

He's been the club president for years

LordDowlais wrote:

Steffan wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Steffan wrote:
Moneyman comes to Merthyr offering to buy success for the club...Risca says this is great

Yous ay that like he's never been invovled with Merthyr before.

When was he last involved with Merthyr then just put of interest?

He does not even live here, the last I heard he was living in Jersey or Guernsey, I know his son is living on the Isle of White though, my misses mate used to date him, his son has some obsession with Merthyr and the pub called the Wyndam Arms, although i doubt he has never been there, I think he just saw it from Britians roughest pubs when it was on the tele.

Stan Thomas was born and raised in Merthyr.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Steffan wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Steffan wrote:
Moneyman comes to Merthyr offering to buy success for the club...Risca says this is great

Yous ay that like he's never been invovled with Merthyr before.

When was he last involved with Merthyr then just put of interest?

He's been the club president for years

Yet only now at age 73 he has decided to invest money in the club and give it a future?

Steffan wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Steffan wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Steffan wrote:
Moneyman comes to Merthyr offering to buy success for the club...Risca says this is great

Yous ay that like he's never been invovled with Merthyr before.

When was he last involved with Merthyr then just put of interest?

He's been the club president for years

Yet only now at age 73 he has decided to invest money in the club and give it a future?

Why should there be an age limit?

Chunky Norwich wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Steffan wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Steffan wrote:
Moneyman comes to Merthyr offering to buy success for the club...Risca says this is great

Yous ay that like he's never been invovled with Merthyr before.

When was he last involved with Merthyr then just put of interest?

He does not even live here, the last I heard he was living in Jersey or Guernsey, I know his son is living on the Isle of White though, my misses mate used to date him, his son has some obsession with Merthyr and the pub called the Wyndam Arms, although i doubt he has never been there, I think he just saw it from Britians roughest pubs when it was on the tele.

Stan Thomas was born and raised in Merthyr.

Yes but I cannot remember the last time he lived here.

I think Sweeney signing for Ponty is a good move for him and the club, he's no spring chicken anymore so doubt he would get a contract at many (if any) Pros club and least he is giving something back to where he started his main carear.

LordDowlais wrote:

Yes but I cannot remember the last time he lived here.

Really failing to see the relevance of this, sorry.

Anyway, without the Welsh valleys and the players we supply to regional rugby, there would be no rugby at all in Wales.

LordDowlais wrote:Anyway, without the Welsh valleys and the players we supply to regional rugby, there would be no rugby at all in Wales.

Slightly over dramatic, I'm sure we could scrape two sides together

LordDowlais wrote:Anyway, without the Welsh valleys and the players we supply to regional rugby, there would be no rugby at all in Wales.

Ummm

Founder members of the WRU :-

Swansea
Lampeter
Llandeilo
Cardiff
Newport
Llanelli
Merthyr
Llandovery
Brecon
Pontypool
Bangor

Steffan wrote:Pontypridd RFC sign Ceri Sweeney and Risca Rev says this is low ambition by Sweeney signing for a semi-professional club

Andy Powell signs for Merthyr RFC who not yet even in the Premiership...Risca Rev says nothing

Moneyman comes to Merthyr offering to buy success for the club...Risca says this is great

If a moneyman came to Pontypridd offering to buy success for the club...Risca says typical selfish old Ponty who can't accept they are a feeder club

:laughing:I think there's some misquotes here. BTW, Powell signing for Merthyr is pretty low ambition, I'm guessing he's just ending his playing days? He's played for various clubs (didn't show up well for his most recent pro club) in both codes and has toured the world - the only reason he'd be going there is for love of playing the game. Sweeney is probably doing the same.

I think the point is that Blues are doing more to embrace their region, with the chairman putting money into Merthyr RFC and declaring his intentions. It would be good if that happened to Pontypridd too. But you and I both know that Ponty would do the opposite and try to go their own way, demand a place in the Pro12, etc. Like Risca has also said, Ponty are small fish. Doesn't mean they don't have their duty to Wales rugby though. If Merthyr one day get too big for their boots like the Black & Whites I'm sure the WRU chairman will have a few things to say.

The Saint wrote:I think the point is that Blues are doing more to embrace their region, with the chairman putting money into Merthyr RFC and declaring his intentions

11 years after they first took over the "region"  

Where was he prior to this?

Maybe if the Pieman had embraced his "region" a bit earlier on then there wouldn't be such hostility to Cardiff Blues

The Saint wrote:Like Risca has also said, Ponty are small fish. Doesn't mean they don't have their duty to Wales rugby though

Small fish or not. Ponty do their bit and I don't see how you can argue otherwise

The Saint wrote:If Merthyr one day get too big for their boots like the Black & Whites I'm sure the WRU chairman will have a few things to say

You mean like they stood up to Cardiff and Llanelli back in 2003 when they got 'too big for their boots' and demanded stand alone status and threatened to bankrupt the WRU ?

Seriously mate I know Ponty at times don't do themselves any favours but the way you twist things so everyone else is good and only Ponty are bad is beyond

LordDowlais wrote:I bet if you looked through the four regions squads, you would find a lot of players that have come from the valleys, not just Cardiff Blues, but all the regions, I bet every region has a few players in their teams and academies that have come from the valleys north of the M4.

No question. I don't think anyone denies it.

LordDowlais wrote:The Welsh valleys have been, and always will be the heartbeat of Wales and Welsh rugby

B*llocks.

Steff, I'm a bit scared with how obsessed you are with me.

Powell has barely been a pro player for a while now. Sweeney has, so probably has something to offer a pro team still. Powell doesn't.

Money man (two words) comes to Merthyr. I don't criticise as they accept where they are in the grand scheme of things. If I see one of their idiotic supporters suggesting they could become a pro team, or if they start writing programme notes slagging off their region or talking about irrelevant things like pro rugby or Scarlets' attendances when they could be concentrating on the biggest game of their season, I'll happily criticise them.

I'm not an internet hard man just because I choose to help you get a better command of the English language for your Masters.

How is Sir Stanley Thomas investing in Merthyr any different to just rentals and buy as you view investing in Pontypridd for years and basically supplying jobs for Ponty players during the amateur era. Pontypridd supporters have short memories

Pyleboy65 wrote:How is Sir Stanley Thomas investing in Merthyr any different to just rentals and buy as you view investing in Pontypridd for years and basically supplying jobs for Ponty players during the amateur era. Pontypridd supporters have short memories

No one said it was any different as far as I'm aware. I'm all for people investing in clubs. I do find it strange that the "Sir" has left it until now. But that's not my problem and good luck to Merthyr. Not sure what your point is to be honest

Risca Rev wrote:Steff, I'm a bit scared with how obsessed you are with me

Says the guy having drunken rants at me 4 in the morning. I got my ex girlfriend to do that thankyou very much

Risca Rev wrote:I'll happily criticise them

Again and again and again even on threads that are not even Ponty related it seems...

Risca Rev wrote:I'm not an internet hard man just because I choose to help you get a better command of the English language for your Masters

My English grammar is not great I can not deny that. However, this is an internet forum not an English class and I don't even feel it has to be spot on when posting on an internet forum and typing at speed. All my academic work is proofread so while I appreciate you're continuous and persistent correcting of my English, which you no doubt do for my own benefit as opposed to just purely trying to wind me up, please be assured there is really no need and you can give it a rest now

Steffan wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:Steff, I'm a bit scared with how obsessed you are with me

Says the guy having drunken rants at me 4 in the morning. I got my ex girlfriend to do that thankyou very much

Risca Rev wrote:I'll happily criticise them

Again and again and again even on threads that are not even Ponty related it seems...

Risca Rev wrote:I'm not an internet hard man just because I choose to help you get a better command of the English language for your Masters

My English grammar is not great I can not deny that. However, this is an internet forum not an English class and I don't even feel it has to be spot on when posting on an internet forum and typing at speed. All my academic work is proofread so while I appreciate you're continuous and persistent correcting of my English, which you no doubt do for my own benefit as opposed to just purely trying to wind me up, please be assured there is really no need and you can give it a rest now

Second quote you seem to suggest I'm criticising Merthyr all the time? Otherwise you've misquoted me?

Third quote, it's not just grammar. Proofread is one word? Your continuous? You will thank me one day when you see how I've helped you.

Much love. Ole xx

Steffan wrote:

Pyleboy65 wrote:How is Sir Stanley Thomas investing in Merthyr any different to just rentals and buy as you view investing in Pontypridd for years and basically supplying jobs for Ponty players during the amateur era. Pontypridd supporters have short memories

No one said it was any different as far as I'm aware. I'm all for people investing in clubs. I do find it strange that the "Sir" has left it until now. But that's not my problem and good luck to Merthyr. Not sure what your point is to be honest

Woosh.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:B*llocks.

No it is not, the valleys provide the bulk of the players to Welsh rugby, without the people and the teams in the valleys Welsh rugby would be a non starter, we would be a purely football and cricket nation.

Steffan wrote: I'm all for people investing in clubs. I do find it strange that the "Sir" has left it until now.

He's been investing in the club for several years now.

LordDowlais wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:B*llocks.

No it is not, the valleys provide the bulk of the players to Welsh rugby, without the people and the teams in the valleys Welsh rugby would be a non starter, we would be a purely football and cricket nation.

So now you've gone from saying that each region has 'a few' players from the valleys to saying that the majority of players are from the valleys.

LordDowlais wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:B*llocks.

No it is not, the valleys provide the bulk of the players to Welsh rugby, without the people and the teams in the valleys Welsh rugby would be a non starter, we would be a purely football and cricket nation.

You seem to be suffering a bit of Pontyitis. It's a terrible ailment, where apparently the Valleys are purely represented by Pontypridd. Why mention it otherwise whilst you're trying (and failing) to justify Ponty's actions?

Also, I love the irony in you criticising Chunky for allegedly panning the Valleys and yet you have your handle as Lord Dowlais on here and have explained why you have it. Hypocrite warning.

Also, Wales as a cricketing nation? Wow

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:B*llocks.

No it is not, the valleys provide the bulk of the players to Welsh rugby, without the people and the teams in the valleys Welsh rugby would be a non starter, we would be a purely football and cricket nation.

So now you've gone from saying that each region has 'a few' players from the valleys to saying that the majority of players are from the valleys.

I was talking about over the history of rugby in our country, not just at this moment.