Maesteg Harlequins R.F.C.

         A Brief History Of The Club

A (REALLY) BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MAESTEG HARLEQUINS

All too many perceive the familiar surroundings and the records of everyday life as being of little importance. This is true of the Maesteg Harlequins. If one considers that the club was formed within the living memory of some people, then there is a great deal of unnecessary conjecture attached to the subject of the club. At present moves are being made to collate evidence, with the view of producing some form of publication relating to the club’s history. Anyone with any information, however small, or anyone who possesses memorabilia associated with the club, please contact the following number: (01656) 732499.

Due to the brief nature of this history, people will not be mentioned by name as to not cause offence.

The date of formation is generally accepted (or perhaps assumed) to have taken place during the 1936-37 season, with the captains board taking this season as the first in the clubs history. However, evidence suggests that the club was formed at a much earlier date. In the publication ‘The Llynfi Valley in Old Photographs’, it states: " the club was formed in the 1920s". This, indeed, may well be true, but the theory revolves around Maesteg RFC.

Although many refute the link between the two clubs, it may be possible, indeed it has been said that the Harlequins was formed as a second team to the senior club of the valley. A team known as Maesteg Rovers and another called the Rangers were playing in the valley during this period. A number of players have represented both clubs during the same period and this theory may be the correct one.

It is interesting to note that during the 1920s and early 30s, Maesteg had a committee to run its affairs and the second fifteen also had a committee of its own, with elected officials nominated to run this section of the club. Therefore this is where the origins of the Harlequins may lie. Indeed, in photographs of the 1936-37 Harlequins and 1946-47 Maesteg team, the same committeeman appears. The gentleman in question may have a twin or may have joined another club as an official, but the links seem to be too much of a coincidence. An examination of the playing personnel of both clubs during this period will soon be undertaken, in order to establish or refute this tenuous link.

If the link between the two clubs is proven then the Harlequins could claim to be much older. An edition of the local weekly newspaper, the Glamorgan Advertiser, in 1919 reported on the desire of the Maesteg RFC committee to revive the spirits of the people after the terrible years and experiences of the Great War, by: "resurrecting the second team". This team played in the years prior to the First World War, therefore the club may be closer to celebrating its centenary than we think.

In the early years the name "Rovers" would have been quite apt as the Harlequins of yesteryear were indeed a nomadic lot. Their home grounds’ included Maesteg RFC’s Llynfi Road, Llangynwyd, Coytrahen, the old playing field that was situated behind Maesteg hospital and home to Nantyffyllon RFC and still referred to as Nanty’s "old field", and the Hurling Field, a ground built for a large Irish community to enjoy their favourite pastime from the Emerald Isle.

Once again war intervened and after the cessation of hostilities, it was time to re- establish the club. The other local clubs (Maesteg, Nantyffyllon and Maeteg Celtic) must be thanked for their generosity during this period, as they donated their unwanted jerseys to the Quins cause. These gifts of different colours were dyed black, as this was the cheapest and most effective dye to use.

In the 1950s the pioneers of Quins Rugby decided to obtain a home ground of their own. It was in Llangynwyd, the present site of the football and Rugby fields, that was chosen. The land was given to the club and over a lengthy period the club members removed the hedgerows which ran through the field and constructed a suitable playing surface. Today the ground is used by Llangynwyd Rangers FC and Maesteg Celtic RFC. It is still called the "Harlequins Field".

In 1962 South Parade, the site of an old brickworks which overlooks the town, was transformed into municipal playing fields. It was during this period that the club moved to the new ground and has remained there ever since.

Not only were the club nomadic in relation to their home ground, but also in their headquarters. Numerous pubs were utilised in and out of the town. The Prince of Wales, Coytrahen, Victoria, Farmers Arms, Full Moon, Measteg RFC and the Railway, were all the venues for the aftermatch festivities. In 1977-78 the present clubhouse was purchased and a great deal of work was once again undertaken by the members to furnish the premises. The building is a class II listed building built at the turn of the twentieth century by North’s Navigation, a company who had a large concern in the mining industry in the area. There are people in the town today who remember picking up their wages from the offices.

On the playing front the club has enjoyed and endured fluctuating fortunes with good times and bad times ebbing and flowing. The club is enjoying a purple patch on the field at present, and long may it continue.

Anyone wishing to enjoy the Harlequins experience on or off the field contact the clubhouse on the following number: (01656) 736906.