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9781847711458

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This is essentially a dip-in reference book to settle arguments about who plays where, with a brief history of the grounds appended. It is backed up by a full index of place names and six pages of bibliography. Along with a long list of local historians to whom reference was made, it is a product of meticulous research, as would be expected of author Richard E. Huws, a retired Head of Reader Services at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. It ranges from the mundane origin of Plascrug, Aberystwyth, a pitch recovered from a previous corporation rubbish dump, to the glitzy Cardiff City, Liberty & Swalec stadia. Even short-lived clubs that briefly flourished and soon expired are mentioned. Welsh rugby is always portrayed as having working class roots, different from the other three home countries. Gareth Williams in his magnificent Fields of Praise , however, stresses its public school provenance. Following up this theme, this book shows how three of Wales's four Premier League teams play on land bequeathed by aristocratic owners. Llanelli had Stradey Park built on the grounds of a mansion owned by the Vaughan family before their recent move. Newport's Rodney Parade is named after Sir Charles Rodney Morgan, 2nd Baron Tredegar. Cardiff's grounds really reflect the part played by the Bute family in the city's development - the Arms Park was the land of John Crichton Stuart, Ninian Park that of Ninian Crichton Stuart and Sophia Gardens are named after Sophia, John Crichton Stuart's wife. After the commercially named Liberty & Swalec stadia, it was reassuring to see the name Dol Wiber - Newcastle Emlyn's rugby ground: a name from local legend for a wyvern killed by a brave local lad. Such gems enlighten the text. Finally, Wrexham's Racecourse was built on the horse racing track of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn of Wynnstay - what a marvellous alliterative name. Geoffrey Edwards It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council. Gellir defnyddio'r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatad Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru. -- Welsh Books Council

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Born in Carmarthen, the author has spent most of his adult life in Ceredigion. He worked at the National Library of Wales for almost 40 years, and recently retired from the post of Head of Reader Services. He has published widely on the history of printing, local history, family history and sport. He lives in Bont-goch, near Aberystwyth, and is a keen follower of most sports, and especially of his beloved Swansea City.

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