Club History

Llantwit Major Rugby Football Club, colloquially known as the Blood and Blacks, has strands based in the town's history since as far back as 1880. There are articles showing matches against local rivals Cowbridge recorded in 1889. Since this time the club has been located at the heart of the local community and has provided generations of Llantwit Major families the opportunities to represent the club.

The club's badge features multiple aspects of St Illtyd's Church — the oldest recorded university, which was based in Llantwit Major during the 4th century. The symbols have been synonymous with the club and the community.

The club disbanded during the Second World War but reformed soon after, and in 1962 gained membership in the Welsh Rugby Union.

Despite there being early reports of rugby football in Llantwit Major dating back to 1883, the first official recorded match is in November 1889 with the club taking on its neighbours Cowbridge. Cowbridge ran out winners scoring 3 tries and 1 goal to nil in what was the first of many fixtures between the two sides.

Both rural farming communities had a strong rugby presence with Llantwit Major product Ernest George going on to gain international recognition for Wales. Based early on at the Kings Head Hotel, the club played on rough fields whilst not having a home pitch until much later.

This era saw the defining moment when the new home for the rugby club was officially opened in its current situation on The Recreation Field. Having purchased an old cattle market, building work started in 1962 with most of the work completed by 1963.

Whilst continuing to have a strong presence in the rugby community, it was in the 1960s that the club started to find success. Under the guidance of Doug Vizard, Llantwit Major went unbeaten at home during the 1963 and 1964 seasons, winning the Glamorgan County Ball in both seasons. It was during the success of the 1960s that Scottish International Wilson Lauder also represented the club whilst living in the local area.

In 1978 the club were successful in their bid to have the posts from the National Stadium relocated to the club, and on August 16th 1980 they finally erected the posts which still stand in place today.

During the 1980/81 season, life member Jim Griffiths, ably assisted by Laun David, Richard Davies and David Ingram, helped to establish our mini and junior section. The section would go on to be the lifeline of the club and, along with producing regional and international players, would also serve to source our senior rugby squad.

The first player to go through all the age groups and play senior rugby for the club was hard-tackling centre Mark (Bona) Jones who went on to represent the First XV during the 1989/90 season. Close behind, and also present on that first day in 1980, was second row and our former Club Secretary and First XV Team Manager Andrew (Hal) Halligan.

During the late 20th century and early noughties the club produced some incredibly talented players such as Simon Hill, Phil Thomas, Dafydd Hewitt and John Yapp who went on to represent Wales and the top club and regional sides with great success.

After some tough seasons, the Blood and Blacks rediscovered some spark during the 2013–14 season when, under the guidance of Simon Hill and Darren Joy, the team reached the final of the WRU National Bowl. This final appearance followed an amazing 2012–13 season during which the 2nd XV won the Mid Glamorgan Division 1 league and cup double, with several of the side moving up to the 1st XV in the following season.

It wasn't until the 2019–20 season that the team really started to develop promise, and it was only the COVID outbreak that prevented the 1st XV from gaining promotion. Building the side using predominantly club pathway products, the team continued to compete at the top of Division 4 and in 2023–24 the 1st XV went undefeated in the league and won their first ever title, whilst featuring in 3 semi-finals in the same season.

The 1st XV has now established itself as a Division 3 club and is aiming for more improvements with new head coach Matthew McCarthy.