Hall of Famer Alun Priday has been a stalwart at Cardiff RFC for over 7 decades and made 410 appearances for Cardiff between 1953 and 1966 scoring 33 tries. Alun is only one of three players to play over 400 times for the Blue and Blacks.
His earliest memory of the Blue and Blacks was in his early teens when his father took him to his first game at the Arms Park.
Alun made his debut for the senior side on Easter Monday in 1953 at the age of 22 against Harlequins when the Blue and Blacks won 15-3.
The former Tongwynlais player moved to Cardiff in 1953 and at the end of his playing career he was one point away from 1,800 points in a Blue and Black shirt.
One of Alun’s favourite moments in his career wasn’t when he received an invitation to play for the Barbarians or even his international call-up for Wales where he went onto win 2 caps. He said: “even though they were massive honours to play for, to say you’re a Welsh international is a good feeling. However, whenever we played Newport, it was always a memorable one.
When Cardiff played Newport, it felt like an International whenever we played them and whether it be home or away, we always wanted to win. Still the same today.”
Throughout his playing days, Alun also played cricket for Cardiff Athletic Club. 12 years after making his debut Alun played his 410th game away at Bridgend, where he played his final game in a Blue and Black shirt in 1965.
Alun has carried on his support for the club and became a committee member. In November 2021 he became the president of Cardiff Athletic Club.
On The Field
December saw the RFC side exit the Cup competition at the quarter final stage going down 15-27 to Ebbw Vale at Eugene Cross Park in a game Head Coach Steve Law was not happy with.
The following week the boys travelled to The Wern to face Merthyr rearranged from the Arms Park. Cardiff ran away with the game winning 45-20, scoring 6 tries.
They followed this up by beating Pontypridd 32-13 at the Arms Park. Although Pontypridd had two early red cards, they made life hard for the RFC.
Next up was the long trip to North Wales to face RGC to finish off 2023. Cardiff were always second best and only came away with a losing bonus point courtesy of a last-minute penalty kick from Harrison James, final score being 14-9 to the home side.
Charity
Thanks goes to Boycezone and Mr Josua Evans who came along to the Arms Park for the Pontypridd game which raised £352.33 for Ty-Hafan along with a signed Cardiff rugby shirt to be auctioned later.
