R. Williams; Byron J ones; B. Williams; David Shanahan; Roger Evans; Mike Tanner; Roger Howells; H. Griffiths; M. Jones; Ken Jones; J. Powell Rees; Terry Rees; Dennis Shanahan; Trevor Lewis and A. James. Once again, the enthusiasm of the membership shone through in its financing and the voluntary spirit was to be the guiding influence in the modernisation of the premises. The Club Architect, Mr. Wynford Lewis, a versatile and notable clubman, was given a free hand and his work was the admiration of all clubs who patronised it. The accommodation included a bar, smoking lounge, a spacious club room and excellent catering facilities. While playing for Carmarthen Quins, he was capped for Wales Youth and was then spotted by Welsh giants, Llanelli. The match itself was an exhibition of sparkling, open rugby with a total of 10 tries being scored. The result, not that it mattered, was victory to the Wanderers by 24 pts. to 17 pts. The 1971/72 season saw, for the first time, the introduction of trophies which were to be presented to players who over a season had shown excellence to Wanderers rugby. The two trophies are known as the President’s Cup and the Players’ Trophy.

The concept of the Wanderers having their own ground was one which the founder members of the Club had looked forward to from the early days. Unfortunately, one of them in particular was not to see this project finalised, for in July, 1974 the Wanderers, as well as the whole of the rugby fraternity, mourned the passing of D. M. Hughes. He was a man, held in considerable respect by all who knew him. After retiring as a player, he took up refereeing and was appointed to the International Referee's panel in 1964. He refereed five internationals and numerous repesentative matches before retiring in 1967. He was Vice Chairman of the Wanderers Club from 1954 to 1957 when he became Chairman until 1959. He then became the Club's Secretary, a position he held until 1967. Although he left Llanelli in 1971 to take up a position at Melton Mowbray, he maintained his close links with the Club even to the extent of arranging an annual rugby match between the Wanderers and Melton Mowbray. In a 1998 with me, he said: “Robert was one of the best passers, but I was never impressed with his all-round game. Following a civic reception at the Town Hall, the Wanderers engaged the tourists at Stradey Park, and after an entertaining match emerged the victors by 5 pts. to nil. Honours continued to grace the Wanderers when three of its members represented the Royal Navy in the same match. They were Hywel Griffiths, Alan Harries and Hugh Prosser Jones. This memorable event occurred in the 1952/53 season and the Club proudly boasts this event as being a record for a second class club.Eurwyn, a Welsh Schoolboys cap who had also distinguished himself by playing for the Scarlets on numerous occasions, was later to become the Club's coach and contributed largely to the Club's promotion to Section 'D' of the West Wales Rugby Union in season 1981/82. A fact recognised by the presentation of a Club plaque to him in May 1982. He did win caps, but is was hard to become a regular with the likes of Robert Jones, the resident scrum half in the Welsh side, and injury problems.

November 1968 saw the Wanderers 5th Triennial Dinner when along with the various civic dignitaries and officials of other clubs, the chief guests were John Reason, W. H. Clement, Carwyn James and Ivor Jones, the then President of the Welsh Rugby Union. Following his move into rugby league, Jonathan played for Great Britain, won several caps for Wales and scored 39 tries for the Saints. The whole Club was delighted when Clive Rees was recalled to the Welsh XV after so long an absence. Although Wales' International season did not fulfill its expectations, it is worthy of note that it was generally recognised by the press and other knowledgeable rugby men, that Clive was one of the few successes of the Welsh team showing flair when given the opportunity and showing an astute appreciation and application of the finer points of the game. Something that the Wanderers had known for some time! The tale is told of a Club member who had been admitted as a patient to Morriston Hospital. He had obviously been missing the hospitality and comforts of the Wanderers so he invited the choir to visit his Ward at the Hospital, without, it should be said, the prior approval of the Hospital Authorities. Arrangements were well in hand but the invitation was not fulfilled as there was "some doubt as to whether the Glee Section would be admitted". Llanelly Wanderers Ieuan Jones (Capt.), Wynne Davies, Gareth Morris, Neville Holmes, Clive Aitken ,Eifion Thomas, Peter H. Williams, Hywel Griffiths, Colwyn Owens, Godfrey Rees, Peter Williams, Rheinallt Jenkins, Dennis Shanahan, Peter Davies, Harry Thomas.

FIXTURES & RESULTS

The 1959/60 season opened when the Wanderers took on the might of the Scarlets at Stradey. A penalty goal by Harry Thomas earned a deserved draw at 3 pts. each. The Wanderers and indeed the town ofLlanelli, suffered a great loss in May 1965 with the passing of T. Graham Pugh. He had been a founder member of the Wanderers Club and had served in the capacity of Honorary Secretary from the Club's inception in 1951 until 1958 when he became Chairman, a position he held until his passing. His contribution to the formation and development of the Wanderers Club is immeasurable. It was largely due to his vision, drive and enthusiasm, that the Club's reputation, both on and off the field, has been held in such high esteem for so long and the tributes received by the Club from many local rugby clubs, West Wales Rugby Union, Welsh Rugby Union and Societies of Referees, only stand to show how highly he was regarded. As well as holding the offices in the Wanderers Club, he served as Chairman of the Llanelli and District Rugby Union. As a tribute to him, the Wanderers Club commissioned a portrait in oils from local artist Mr. John Bowen. This portrait now hangs in the clubhouse in honour ofa man who the Wanderers can consider as being their first "statesman". In March 1954 the design for the Club's crest was finalised and agreed. The crest comprises a shell upon which are to be found two letter 'L's' denoting Llanelli, and in the centre of the shell, the letter 'W', denoting Wanderers. On a scroll under the shell, is the Club motto "Cyfeillach Trwy Grwydro", "Friendship Through Wandering", an apt motto for the Club. The significance of the shell is that it is the heraldic symbol of the Wanderer. Such was the enterprise of the Club Committee at this time, and no doubt encouraged by the experience of widening the Club's repertoire to include skittles, it was decided to organise a Boxing Tournament at the Drill Hall in May 1956. He epitimised all that the Wanderers Club stood for, and his dedication to the development of the Wanderers was outstanding, he had proved himself as a most capable administrator and a referee who held respect all over the rugby playing world.

The enterprising Wanderers again proved their versatility in other sports by involving themselves in ten pin bowling. Terry Davies; leuan Jones; G. Morris; A1un Thomas; ]. Howells; Eifion Thomas; Frank Davies; G. Lee; B. Lloyd; Keri J ones; R. H. Williams; Keith Row1ands; John Leleu; Harry Thomas and P. Williams, Following the abandoned match at the Uplands, the Wanderers cancelled their fixtures for the remainder of the season and opened the following season (70/71) with a match at Carmarthen Athletic, the proceeds of which were to be donated to the fund. It is remarkable that there were on the field that evening, two players who were to tour South Africa with the unbeaten Lions of 1974. They were Clive Rees of the Wanderers and Roy Bergiers of Carmarthen Athletic.Wanderers XV: Allan Evans, Michael Morgan, Roger Smith, C. John Williams, Jeff Hughes, Raymond J ones, Phillip Johnson, Wynne Jones, John Gravell, Stephen Pike, Roger Baldwin, Hywel Toft, Nigel Mansel, Stephen Bradley, Eurwyn Griffiths. The efforts of the ladies of the Club also need special mention. They have organised numerous social functions which have greatly enhanced the range of activities available to the membership. They have over the years "slaved over hot ovens" to provide greatly appreciated nourishment after a hard game. Their efforts, whilst perhaps not receiving the plaudits they regularly deserve, have in no small way contributed to the successful social side of the Wanderers. No doubt, the "team" will be the topic of discussion amongst the membership for some time to come. One can be assured that the discussion will remain on friendly terms.