PONTYPOOL RFC celebrated their 150th anniversary in style with a star-studded event last week, with several club legends making an appearance.
More than 250 guests attended the event, at Cwmbran’s Parkway Hotel and Spa, celebrating the rich and proud history of the club.
Ex-Pontypool and Wales hooker Nigel Meek compered the dinner following an introduction by executive chairman, Peter Jeffreys.
And speaking were David Bishop, Eddie Butler, Terry Cobner, John Perkins, Jeff Squire, and two-thirds of the famed Pontypool front row, Charlie Faulkner and Graham Price.
All were Welsh internationals, and three - Mr Cobner, Mr Squire and Mr Butler - captained their country.
Pat Killian’s artwork for the anniversary dinner. Picture: Gareth Poulton.
The legends came up in pairs telling stories from their rugby careers at the event on Thursday, February 21.
Other notable players in appearance included Peter Lewis and Lyndon Faulkner, who had flown in from the USA, as well as 1983 WRU Cup winner Martin Jones.
Mr Price, who is also the club’s president, said that the night proved a huge success.
“It was nice to be a part of it,” he said. “There were a host of legends and clubmen on the night and it was nice to catch up with them.
“The internationals all came up at various stages of the evening.
“A lot of the old stories were coming out.
“A lot of supporters were there as well. It shows what the club means to the community.
“It was a huge success.”
The former prop said that the celebration could be part of a memorable year for the club.
“It is all coming to fruition now,” he said.
“We are in such a successful period and hopefully it can last through to the end of the season.
“After all this hard work over the last few years, we are hoping we can be successful and reach that play-off spot.
“We have had good cup runs where we have beaten some top Premiership sides, so hopefully we can do it on the day.”
Newbridge artist Pat Killian created a special piece of artwork for the anniversary dinner.
The Pontypool RFC legends featured in the piece signed the artwork. Picture: Gareth Poulton.
Mr Killian, who has become known for painting some of the greats of the sporting world, said: “I’d done some work for Graham Price before.
“He put me in touch with some other people at the club and they were very keen on the idea.
“I had been working on the piece for a couple of weeks.
“A lot of Pontypool players have represented Wales. There were a lot more different players I could’ve chosen.
“I think it does the club justice.”
Mr Killian said that experimenting with colour in this piece has inspired him for his future projects.
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He said: “I wanted to capture the nostalgia of years gone by with the black and white images.
“It’s also got the flickers of red for Wales.
“The mixture of black and white and colour works quite well and has given me ideas to take forward in to my next pieces.
“It’s a challenge for myself. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle, and I am putting it all together.
“You are always trying new techniques and new styles.”
The players featured in the artwork have signed it, and it will go up for auction in the near future. Prints are now available of the piece.
In April, Mr Killian will be travelling to New York to exhibit his work ahead of the Amir Khan v Terence Crawford fight. He will be heading stateside again in June for the Anthony Joshua v Jarrell Miller fight.
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