RECREATION
The first football international from Fochriw was Bombardier Willie Roberts, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Roberts, Glyn-terrace, who obtained his Welsh international cap against England at Swansea in March 1932, playing in the amateur international match. He went on to be given a month's trial with Bristol City during August 1933. He went on to play in the position of “back” for Bristol City.
April 1938 saw the first report of a Fochriw Boys Club Football team and during May 1940 Edryd Jones, E. M. Lewis and T. Dredge, were given a further trial with the Cardiff City Reserves with Edryd Jones being signed up by Cardiff City and played in their first team. In April 1941 Jack Davies, Alan Davies and Ivor Davies had trials with Cardiff City.
During June 1941 Fochriw played Cardiff Corries in the cup final of the Cardiff Nursery Clubs at the Welfare Ground, Pontlottyn. Fochriw were winners 4-0.
It was not until November 1943 that the next football report was found, this being about Fochriw L.E.A. Club entertained Blackwood in a league match, the visitors winning 6-0.
It was during October 1947 that the first match was played on the new Welfare Ground when Fochriw entertained Brithdir in a league match which ended in a 4 - 4 draw.
In May 1948 the Fochriw A.F.C., decided to apply for membership of the Rhymney Valley Senior League for following season.
It was reported during January 1949 that both Senior and Junior teams were going great guns. Both were top of their respective leagues in the Rhymney Valley, Div. I & II. There was splendid harmony amongst the players, officials and committee, and favoured with a fine football field and splendid gates, football had reached a high standard. The junior team won the 1947/48 Division 2 championship being undefeated throughout the season and the first team won the Victoria Cup and finished 3rd in the Division 1 League and were runners-up in the Senior Cup. During the forthcoming season the teams would play in the South Wales Amateur and Rhymney Valley Leagues.
April 1938 saw the first report of a Fochriw Boys Club Football team and during May 1940 Edryd Jones, E. M. Lewis and T. Dredge, were given a further trial with the Cardiff City Reserves with Edryd Jones being signed up by Cardiff City and played in their first team. In April 1941 Jack Davies, Alan Davies and Ivor Davies had trials with Cardiff City.
During June 1941 Fochriw played Cardiff Corries in the cup final of the Cardiff Nursery Clubs at the Welfare Ground, Pontlottyn. Fochriw were winners 4-
It was not until November 1943 that the next football report was found, this being about Fochriw L.E.A. Club entertained Blackwood in a league match, the visitors winning 6-
It was during October 1947 that the first match was played on the new Welfare Ground when Fochriw entertained Brithdir in a league match which ended in a 4 -
In May 1948 the Fochriw A.F.C., decided to apply for membership of the Rhymney Valley Senior League for following season.
It was reported during January 1949 that both Senior and Junior teams were going great guns. Both were top of their respective leagues in the Rhymney Valley, Div. I & II. There was splendid harmony amongst the players, officials and committee, and favoured with a fine football field and splendid gates, football had reached a high standard. The junior team won the 1947/48 Division 2 championship being undefeated throughout the season and the first team won the Victoria Cup and finished 3rd in the Division 1 League and were runners-
During January 1950 Burkley Griffiths was selected for the international Welsh Amateur team that met England at Bangor . Burkley was one of the star players in the local team before joining Lovell’s.
Fochriw were the 1950/51 champions of Division II of the S.W. Amateur League and won promotion to Division I.
The last football report of the village team is as follows
Fochriw were the 1950/51 champions of Division II of the S.W. Amateur League and won promotion to Division I.
The last football report of the village team is as follows
22 August 1959 Football All sportsmen in the village are anxiously waiting for the reforming of the soccer team in the village. If no soccer, why not the game that was famous in the village many years ago - rugby?
The only report of a quoits match was during April 1906
Quoit Club On Monday, Penydarren paid a visit to Fochriw for a friendly match with the local boys on the opening of their grounds. Penydarren won by a 112 to 100 points. Next week, Penybank enter upon the work of the season, and there is now every prospect of a successful period. Collier Bach (Mr. George Uzzell) is president of the club, and the other officers are: