Garndiffaith Rugby Club (known to locals as Garn) consisted of prominent Ex- schoolboys who with a very high standard of open play served as a nursery side for many of the senior clubs. Many recollections of these Boys, who covered in in mud waiting for their Mam's to fill a tin bath in front of the fire to soak away their bruises are still talked about today. The boys changed and bathed later at the Band Club (now the Garndiffaith Workingmens Club). Washing in half barrel's, with hot water carried from Mr's Barry's house opposite the club. Mr Josh Bannions trained the side and they played their rugby where Rock Villa Close now stands.
The first Garndiffaith Rugby side was formed in 1922 and their fixtures then consisted of sides like Caerleon College, Llanhilleth All Blacks and Pontypool Quins (who later became Pontypool Utd) . All were respected sides in the Monmouthshire Area. The Garn is steeped in History and the side were winning more games than they were losing, one astounding record was when the Garn went nine years in the mid Twenties to the mid Thirties without actually being defated at home. That level of performance attracted a large following of supporters cheering the side on. The record finally broke when Ponty Quins visited the Garn and won by 3 points to nil. The level of Garns play also attracted other Clubs of Senior level who came to watch them play which resulted in them becoming a Nursery side for other Clubs. Once Pontypool's committee watched the Garn play and within Two weeks the whole of the back division turned out for Pontypool.
A few respected names must be mentioned in this brief history of the club. One such name was Billy Werret, who for five years was reserve inside half to Wick Powell of London Welsh and who went on to Captain Pontypool. It would be a massive task to mention every great player who wore the Garn jersey. One period from 1947 to 1951 saw four brothers play for the Garn they were Arthur, Charlie, Trevor and Dolph Fynn. Arthur Fynn went on to play at Pontypool and gain a Monmouthshire cap. Going back to 1922 and one of the main administrators of the Garn was Mr Syd Griffiths, who was president from 1922 until his death in 1964. He was headmaster of Garn Junior school so was able to foster the Garn talent whilst in school, as most of the players went to Garn school. Also worthy of mentioning are fine committee men, the likes of Alfred Mann, William Werrett and Sam Miles, all Ex chairmen as well as Charles Weaver, who was club secretary for a Decade.
Garndiffaith had to disband during the War when the War was over the " In Place" to be was Garndiffaith Workman's Hall And Institute ( demolished in 2002 ) the main topic of conversation was the reforming of Garn Rugby team. On Friday June 28th 1946 there was a meeting at the Social Centre. The response was so great that the Officers and Committee were selected that same night. They were
Presidents Messrs W. Finch & T. S. Griffiths
Chairman Mr. Cecil Reid
Vice Chairman Mr. Edgar Gullis
Secretary Mr. Charles Hampton
Treasurer Mr. Emlyn Powell
There were Four elected to the committee
Mr. R Price
Mr. H. Parry
Mr. I. Edwards
Mr. W. Weaver
A fundraising committee was also elected consisting of
Mr. R. Coakham
Mr. K. James
Mr. J. Parfitt
Mr.W. Gauntlett
Mr. I. Jeffries
Mr. J. Watkins was also appointed to replace Mr. W. Weaver, who resigned so he could play Rugby. The side's trainer was Mr. H. Parry, players paid One shilling to join and Threepence contributions each week. The side managed to buy their shorts ( known as knicks ) and jerseys they would collect clothing coupons from families, they would also hold raffles, dances and sold tote tickets for which the prize was �1 0s 0d. They purchased their kit from the Gentlemens Outfitters Department of the Garn & Varteg Cooperative Society. Their ground was called Pen-y-lan fields. The committee held their meetings at the Rose & Crown which became their headquarters. Their first game was against Talywain on September 1st 1946. The result was Garndiffaith 5 Talywain 3. A mention must also be given to the Welsh players that emerged from the Garn. One such player was W. A. Williams ( Micky ) who played outside half. He went on to Pontypool where he picked up an injury, when fit again he was left out of the side to face Neath. he then moved to Talywain and then on to Newport, where he gained Three Welsh caps in 1952/53. He never forgot his roots and when his career finished with Newport he came back to play for the Garn at 44yrs of age.
Wilf Parfitt played wing forward for the Garn and went on to Captain Pontypool against the Springboks in 1951. A second Welsh International who joined the Garn in the early fifties was Graham Jones. He went from the Garn to Ebbw Vale,where he won Three caps He returned to coach the Garn and made them a force in both fitness and ability. Other players from the Garn to go to first class clubs include, Arthur Fynn who went to Pontypool and Willy Beal to Tredegar.
The Cordy brothers both played for the Garn in the Fifties and Sixties. Cecil played through these times and on retiring took an active role as club secretary. A post he carried out for Twenty Years. The other brother, Brian, played his first game in 1953 when just 17yrs of age. He captained the side in the 1964/65 season. He also played for Pontypool before returning to the Garn as coach in 1969/70 where he coached the side for Ten Years, during which time they won the Monmouthshire Union League twice,were runners up twice. They also won the Ben Francis Cup and came runners up during that period. Brian went to Senior coach and alongside his role at the Garn he helped coach the Monmouthshire Union and Monmouthshire County Sides. In 1979/80 he left the Garn to take up coaching duties at Abertillery, who were then a first class club. Brian is a Life Member of the Club.
A mention must also go to the Ladies involved with Garndiffaith Rugby club over the years. They gave up their time to raise money for the club. They would even hire a bus for away games because they would not be allowed to travel with the Men. Nothing was too much trouble for those outstanding Ladies.