Cardiff Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union have both come to the aid of Penarth RFC after their clubhouse was devastated by fire.
The blaze, caused by an electrical fault in the early hours of Monday morning, destroyed much of the 145-year-old club’s premises and priceless memorabilia.
Both Cardiff Rugby and the WRU have independently been in touch with the club to offer their support and the Arms Park will host their Admiral National Leagues Division 1 Cup clash with Lampeter on Saturday.
The WRU are providing free supporter buses from Penarth and Cardiff have waived all costs associated with staging a game at the iconic Arms Park. Bucket collections will also be held throughout Cardiff RFC’s Super Rygbi Cymru clash with RGC 1404, which kicks off at 2:30pm.
Cardiff Rugby interim Managing Director, Jamie Muir said: “As soon as we saw the devastating footage from Monday morning, we got in touch with Penarth to offer our support.
“They are a real hub of the community, who are great supporters of Cardiff Rugby and many of us have our own personal links with the club.
“Staging Saturday’s cup game at the Arms Park is the least we could do and we are continuing dialogue around further support we can offer in the weeks and months ahead.”
Penarth secretary Dan Mears said: “It’s devastating. The community outpouring of emotion has taken me by surprise if I’m honest, it’s been a tough couple of days.
“Cardiff helping with our first team fixture on Saturday has taken such a huge weight off our shoulders. To get that short-term fix in place so quickly and with so little resistance has been phenomenal. Cardiff doing that is just massive.
“On Saturday we’re looking to meet at the club to have some drinks, a lot of people will reminisce about some times in the clubhouse and then buses from the WRU will take us in to watch the first team play their cup game on the Arms Park.
“It’s a huge thank you to everyone for what they’re doing. We’re just absolutely overwhelmed and looking forward to the next stage which is to continue making it safe and building for the future, making sure we’re back stronger.”
Community Connection
Penarth have always held strong links with Cardiff and as recently as last month more than 500 members of their mini and junior section descended on the Arms Park.
Multiple Cardiff and Wales internationals have also progressed via the Vale of Glamorgan club from the likes of Reggie Gibbs in the 1900s to current stars Evan Lloyd, Mason Grady. Academy breakthrough Matty Young is just the latest off their conveyor belt.
Evan Lloyd, who’s two brothers still play for the club, said: “This was my club all through my age-grade. I grew up here and this is where I played until college and before things kicked off, so it holds a lot of memories.
“When I got the videos (from Matty Young), I sort of thought it was fake. You see that sort of thing and you don’t really believe it but then it all came out and it was just a massive shock.
How are you going to get all the stuff like that again?
“I’m just gutted with all the stuff that’s lost and how long it will take before it will be back to normal.
“There was my Wales Under-20s jersey, my brother’s 20s jersey, my mate’s Malta one as well. Then there was all the Barbarians related stuff, the Springbok head was obviously a massive loss, some really old Wales jerseys from as early as the 1920s.
“So to lose all that stuff is terrible, because how are you going to get all the stuff like that again?”
Mason Grady added: “We’re really proud that Cardiff Rugby are showing support and hosting the Penarth game this weekend. It’d be great to get as many supporters down there as possible. So hopefully everyone can show their support.”
Welsh internationals Lloyd and Grady were joined by WRU’s Community Director Geraint John, in visiting the club today to add their support.
“Penarth is an historic rugby club like so many others around Waels, sitting at the heart of its community and you can feel the sense of shock and sadness when you visit after this devastating fire,” said John, who was also joined by the WRU’s Chief Commercial Officer and Cardiff Rugby Board member Leighton Davies on the visit.
“We will be doing all we can to help the club heal and rebuild and hosting the clash with Lampeter at Cardiff Arms Park is a first step.
“The WRU will supply buses for locals to attend the match and we are also appealing for people around Cardiff to come along and show their support.”
Items lost in the fire include a Springbok head presented to the Barbarians after they beat South Africa at the Arms Park in 1961 and a youth cap and memorabilia donated by famous former player David Hancock.
You can support Penarth RFC by donating to their crowd fund by hitting the button below.
Saturday at the Arms Park
1pm: Stade Francais vs Cardiff Rugby screened live in the Clubhouse
2:30pm: Cardiff RFC vs RGC 1404
5:30pm: Penarth RFC vs Lampeter