Ferndale RFC
| Full name | Ferndale Rugby Football Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Scarlet Bulldogs |
| Founded | 1882 to 1921 (reformed 1989) |
| Location | Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales |
| Ground(s) | Greenwood Park |
| Coach(es) | Spud, Danny big balls |
| League(s) | WRU Division Three east central C |
| 2016/17 | 1st |
| Official website | |
| www |
|
Ferndale RFC are a rugby union club based in the Upper Rhondda Fach, Wales. First formed in 1882, and disbanded in 1921, the club reformed in 1989. They currently play their home games at Greenwood Park, Ferndale (once the site of the Banana Tip) formerly playing their home matches at Blaenllechau Park. Ferndale RFC is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Cardiff Blues.
Ferndale RFC is believed to have been established during the 1882-83 season, when David Watkins helped to foster the game in the village. It was through his determination that Ferndale RFC became affiliated to the Welsh Football Union in 1891. In 1894 they played in the newly formed Glamorgan league with the Monmouthshire league being formed a year later. It was not until the end of the first decade of the 20th century (1909) that Ferndale began to make its name amongst some of the better known sides in South Wales. Ferndale played host to teams such as Neath, Bath, Llanelli, Pontypridd, Cross Keys, Merthyr, Treorchy and Tredegar on the sloping playing field at the Darran Lake Grounds. It was not unusual for crowds in excess of 3,000 to watch home games and often the half time entertainment was provided by the Ferndale Prize Band, whose home, Ferndale Band and Musical Institute Club, was officially opened in May 1899. It was during this period that Ferndale RFC (the "Scarlet Bulldogs") won two senior cups by beating Cilfynydd at Ynysybwl in 1910 and Treorchy four-nil to win the Glamorgan League Cup in 1912.
By 1921 due to the lack of finances, which had been enhanced by the mining disputes and the dangerous playing surface on the Darran Park, Ferndale RFC folded. It was left to other local teams, such as the Ferndale Bell Boys, the Elmonians and Blaenllechau to keep the rugby alive locally up until 1940, where the Second World War finally put a halt to competitive senior rugby in Wales.
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