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The Wizards Howard Evans

The Wizards By Howard Evans

The Wizards by Howard Evans


$36.99
Condition - Very Good
Only 1 left

Summary

Aberavon RFC has a long, proud and illustrious history, with 50 of its players being capped for Wales, the club winning many league titles and domestic cups, and - with Neath RFC - facing the might of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Aberavon RFC is a great rugby club and this is its story.

The Wizards Summary

The Wizards: Aberavon Rugby 1876-2017 by Howard Evans

One of the traditional powerhouses of Welsh first class rugby, Aberavon RFC has a long, proud and illustrious history, with 50 of its players being capped for Wales, the club winning many league titles and domestic cups, and - with Neath RFC - facing the might of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Aberavon RFC is a great rugby club and this is its story. Fully illustrated and packed with photos and club memorabilia, The Wizards is a comprehensive history of the town's premier club, from the days when the men of Aberavon gathered on a farmer's field to challenge rivals from across south Wales, to the formation of the Afan Football Club in 1876 and its development into Aberavon RFC, and from the club finding a home at the Talbot Athletic Ground to the anniversary celebrations of the 2016-17 season. Aberavon RFC's fascinating 140-year story - lovingly written by renowned rugby historians Howard Evans and Phil Atkinson - traces the club's fortunes through its good times, its many challenges and, most importantly, through the personalities who've worn the famous black and red jersey, delighting the home supporters and putting fear into visiting teams. From the days of `One-Arm' Wilkins to `Warhorse' Jones, The Wizards recalls the great names such as Johnny Ring, Ned Jenkins, John Bevan, Clive Shell, Ray Giles, Billy Mainwaring, Max Wiltshire, `Om the Bomb', Allan Martin and Billy James, to current heroes `Buddah', Jamie Davies and Richard Morris, with a special place for the club's greatest supporter, the legendary and much missed Mrs Evelyn Mainwaring.

The Wizards Reviews

`I would rather have played rugby for Wales than Hamlet at the Old Vic. To that town, Aberavon and its rugby team, I pledge my continuing allegiance, until death.' Richard Burton; `The earliest memory I have of watching The Wizards play is with my Grampa. Freezing cold and sitting in the stand (never did understand how that made any sense), listening to the glorious Mrs Mainwaring 'urging' on her Billy and his boys, and me trying to summon up the courage to pipe up and join in.' Michael Sheen

About Howard Evans

Howard Evans is a respected Cardiff-based rugby writer who was, for many years, a rugby correspondent for the South Wales Echo and Western Mail. Phil Atkinson is a retired headmaster and history teacher, who is editor of Touchlines, the magazine of the Rugby Memorabilia Society, and lives in Newport. Howard and Phil authored The King's Cup 1919 - Rugby's First `World Cup' (St. David's Press, 2015)

Table of Contents

Foreword by Michael Sheen Preface by Andrew John, Chairman Aberavon RFC 1. 1876-1900: Start, stop, restart, grow 2. 1900-1918: Victory in the Cup: then war breaks out 3. 1919-1939: Including the greatest era of the `Wizards' 4. 1940-1949: Before the balloon went up: and after 5. 1950-1959: `The well-off problem child of Welsh club rugby' 6. 1960-1969: Including another `Wizard' time 7. 1970-1979: Cometh the Cup. Finals, two: luck, nil! 8. 1980-1989: Tricky times ahead 9. 1990-1999: The Ups - and Downs - of the Leagues 10. 2000-2009: Canny O'Cally takes over and titles are gained 11. 2010-2017: A Happy Ship: a good spell for `the Wizards'

Additional information

GOR011308491
9781902719665
1902719662
The Wizards: Aberavon Rugby 1876-2017 by Howard Evans
Used - Very Good
Paperback
St David's Press
2017-12-14
256
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - The Wizards