An Early history...........

An Interview with Charlie Griffths

Victor Blick came to Bridgend in the late 20's as a postman from Neath and he formed the Bridgend District Time Limit Cricket League in 1936 and a Grass Track Cycle Racing Circuit, both held at the Brewery Field.
His greatest achievement was the foundation of Bridgend Sports Club which had a tremendous influence on local teenagers in the late 1930's and early 40's.

One wet evening in 1938, sitting on the steps of the old Town Hall whilst waiting for the second house to start at the Embassy Cinema, he and his best mates, Trevor Davies and Roy Davies of Newcastle Hill, came to the opinion that there was room for another Rugby Club in the town. There was already Bridgend RFC and Bridgend Athletic (a totally different club to the present club. They just took the name).

Charlie Griffiths recalls "It is quite remarkable looking back to see how quickly things developed from that inauspicious beginning". For changing facilities, Victor obtained the use of stables at the back of Caedre Street (off Park Street), the bathing facilities there were three large tubs of water for each side, to be used in the correct order depending on how dirty you were. The stables were owned by the local vet and first treasurer Bryn Williams of St Marie Street recalls taking the rent to him on a monthly basis. However, by the end of 1938 showers were installed and the stables used as the Club House.
Charlie, who, in 1938, started playing at the age of 14 for this new Sports side says Bill Floyd was a most influential person and a tower of strength although restricted in movement by crutches. He was as responsible as anyone for the success of the club and being something of a raconteur, he would enthrall the youngsters as he told spine chilling ghost stories in the dimly lit club room on wild winter evenings in front of an open fire.

The laws at this time made it difficult to play open rugby, but it was down to Victor Blick's insistence on playing an open game from the very beginning that was responsible for generations of Sports players deriving so much pleasure from the game over the years. The getting fixtures was no problem as sides wanted to play clubs with this attitude.

With the outbreak of World War 2 most organised rugby ceased, but somehow Victor managed to keep the Club alive having occasional fixtures against RAF St Athan, the Royal Ordnance Factory and some Services sides. With the cessation of hostilities it was not too difficult to reform. Again Charlie recalls "When we returned from active service the Club was at its strongest and we continued to play fast and open rugby".
In 1946 Victor organised the first tour to Devon where the Sports played Barnstable and Bideford. It was a real success despite Victor asking for £10 a head for the hotel. Of course no one paid that - a kings ransom at the time - but came to an 'arrangement' on the cost... a bit like today. A second tour to the same clubs took place the following year and there was also an 'eventful' (ask Charlie) tour to Tenby.

Cecil Lawrie was perhaps the man that put most into the Club spending endless time trying to get the boiler going and arranging after match tea, bread and pickles "how delicious they were too" says Charlie. Cec would emerge from the boiler house, face blackened, only to be told "We're a man short", and would have to don his kit.

Charlie finished this chat with me saying...
"I'm am afraid that we players took a lot for granted, but succeeding generations of Sports Club players have been able to enjoy this great game thanks mainly to endeavours and attitude of Cecil Lawrie and, of course, Victor Blick.
It is a pity there has never ever been a plaque put up some where for them."Thanks, Charlie for sharing this with us and perhaps it's not too late for that plaque.........