AN Englishman made an “incredible gesture” to Pontypool RFC by travelling 200 miles to give the club a rare 1904 trophy photograph of the rugby squad.

Brian Surridge, 77, received a rapturous round of applause as he presented the framed picture to Pooler director of rugby Alun Carter at the Parkway Hotel in Cwmbran Drive.

Mr Surridge revealed the photograph of gold and silver cup winners Pontypool FC had been owned by his miner grandfather and in his family for about 80 years.

Mr Surridge, of Eastbourne, said yesterday [August 12]: “I drove drown and stayed the night at a hotel.

“I knew there was a meeting and I thought it would be the ideal time to present it to the club.

“I didn’t want to give it to one person, so there was a number of people who saw it. I really wanted them to have it.”

Pontypool RFC described Mr Surridge’s trip to Cwmbran to present the photo as an “incredible gesture”.

Mr Carter said: “That’s fantastic. Thank you very much indeed.

“I think this shows the state of this club. Somebody will come all the way from East Sussex to a meeting like and deliver a piece of memorabilia.”

Around 80 people attended the supporters' evening on Thursday.

Pontypool RFC chief executive, Peter Jeffreys, added: “It was a tremendous evening. On behalf of everybody at the club, we would like to thank all that attended. The supporters are the lifeblood of the club and we are very grateful for their loyalty and interest.”