Early history of rugby league in Cardiff The first rugby league team formed in Cardiff were Cardiff City Northern Union in November 1907. They played their first and possibly only match against Merthyr Tydfil, in Merthyr, on Christmas Day in 1907, losing 25-3. Despite having a few more matches arranged, including one away to Ebbw Vale on New Years Day in 1908, no other results have so far been found. In 1947–48 and 1951–52, following a successful stint in the Welsh League,
Cardiff was elected to the Rugby Football League. However, after one disastrous season with low attendances, the club withdrew.
Cardiff City Blue Dragons RLFC The initial success of rugby league teams
Carlisle and
Fulham RLFC which were backed by
Carlisle United and
Fulham association football clubs respectively, encouraged
Cardiff City to form
Cardiff City Blue Dragons for the 1981–82 season. Their managing director was
David Watkins, their coach was
John Mantle. The club initially signed three (former) rugby union internationals –
Steve Fenwick,
Tommy David and
Paul Ringer. A fourth (former) international,
Brynmor Williams, was signed later ish Their first game against
Salford on 30 August 1981 attracted a crowd of 9,247. Despite finishing half-way up the Second Division in their first season, success on the field was elusive and the club failed to win promotion in three seasons at
Ninian Park. Towards the end of their tenure in Cardiff crowds had dwindled to about 500 and they were forced into liquidation after the death of Cardiff City chairman Bob Grogan. Their last home game was a 28–26 loss to
York. In July 1984, the club was bought out of liquidation by a consortium. The new owners came under pressure from the
Welsh FA who wanted Ninian Park as their permanent headquarters and were opposed to ground sharing with rugby league. As a result, the Blue Dragons changed their name to
Bridgend Blue Dragons and relocated the club to
Bridgend Town AFC's Coychurch Road ground.
Bridgend Blue Dragons RLFC Their first home game on 9 September 1984 attracted a crowd of 1,983 to watch Bridgend go down 28–16 to
Swinton. After that attendances dropped and by February 1985 less than 200 fans were watching the home games. Their lowest gate was 148 for the final home game against Doncaster on 21 April 1985 when they went down 28–10. The club finished bottom of the Second Division with only one win. Four days before the start of the 1986–87 season, the
Rugby Football League dropped
Bridgend Blue Dragons from the fixtures for failing to secure a ground. Further, Bridgend RLFC decided not to seek reinstatement. ==Players earning international caps while at Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons==