The times when Welsh rugby grounds were used for football
The Gnoll - Former home of Neath FC
We delved deep into the archives to discover which rugby venues have been used for football.
Wales is commonly known around the globe for its love of the country’s national sport of rugby union.
However, since Wales’ memorable run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 was bought to an end after a 2-0 defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, there has been a debate about what sport is the most popular.
Despite the divide the two sports can create, in the past there have been a number of rugby grounds which have played host to many football matches.
The Gnoll
Traditionally the home to Wales’ oldest rugby club of Neath RFC, The Gnoll has welcomed many sports teams to one of the most iconic venues in the country.
The stadium, that is located in the heart of Neath town centre, was the home of the now non-existent Neath Football Club.
The eagles were founded in 2005, under the name of Neath Athletic originally, as a result of a merger between the old Neath FC and Skewen Athletic in an effort to clinch the Welsh Football League Division One title.
It wasn’t until the summer of 2008 that Neath RFC allowed Neath Athletic to share their home ground The Gnoll. With the move to a new ground, the club consequently renamed themselves as Neath Football Club.
Neath’s debut match at The Gnoll was a friendly against Swansea City, which ended in an easy 6-1 win for the Swans.
The ground did play host to European football as Neath defeated Prestatyn Town 3-2 in a Europa League play-off aswell as the club’s 2-0 loss at the hands of Norwegian outfit Aalesunds FK.
Embed from Getty ImagesParc Y Scarlets
Home of rugby side Scarlets, the Llanelli based stadium has hosted a handful of football matches.
Parc Y Scarlets, which opened in 2008, acted as the home stadium for Llanelli AFC’s Europa League qualifiers in 2009 and 2011.
The earlier qualifier finished with a 3-0 rout at the hands of Motherwell and the latter being a 2-1 triumph over Georgia’s most successful club Dinamo Tbilisi.
Fans of Bangor City will put down the stadium as a memorable one; The Citizens’ last trophy was lifted at the venue in the 2010 Welsh Cup final.
Neville Powell’s men sealed the club’s most recent domestic success defeating Port Talbot 3-2 in West Wales with Dave Morley scoring the winner at the death.
It has also played host to Wales internationals in the past – Wales 1-0 Estonia in 2009, Wales 5-1 Luxembourg in 2010 and Wales 0-2 Bosnia & Herzegovina in 2012.
Eugene Cross Park
Formerly the home of Ebbw Vale Football Club for 110 years (1888-1998).
The venue, which is now primarily used by Ebbw Vale RFC, held European football in the form of the UEFA Intertoto Cup, which has since been discontinued.
Austrian side Grazer AK visited in 1997 and held the Cowboys to a goalless draw in Gwent whereas when SC Bastia from France visited the region, Ebbw Vale were narrowly defeated 2-1.
Ebbw Vale’s last ever fixture at Cross Park came against Norwegian side Kongsvinger which they were put to the sword losing 6-1.
Bridgend Town moved to Brewery Field in 2009 after the club purchased the ground; they initially shared the ground with Porthcawl Town for a season.
The first game to be played there was against Aberaman Athletic which Bridgend claimed a slim 1-0 victory.
The home of Bridgend Ravens Rugby Club had a part to be play in the recent rise of women’s football in Wales, as it hosted the FAW Women’s Cup final in 2010 and 2012; both occasions saw Cardiff City Ladies defeat UWIC Ladies (now known as Cardiff Met).
In October 2010 international footballed arrived in Bridgend with Brewery Field hosting two matches from the UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualification.
The two matches being Turkey’s 5-1 thrashing over Kazakhstan and Wales’ 1-1 stalemate with the Kazakhstanis.
Embed from Getty ImagesTalbot Athletic Ground
As a venue Talbot Athletic ground is mainly used by Aberavon RFC, however in the past it has played hosts to a variety of sports including tennis, hockey, running and football.
The only football match to ever be played at the ground is Afan Lido’s most important game in the club’s history, which was a UEFA Cup preliminary round fixture against RAF Jelgava from Latvia.
Lido failed to qualify on away goals losing 2-1 in their home match and drawing 0-0 on their trip to eastern Europe.
(Featured image: Adam Evans)
