Arthur Gould: Rugby's First Superstar

Arthur Gould is widely acknowledged as the first superstar of rugby, and his biography, Arthur Gould - Rugby's First Superstar, is the definitive account of his life and career. Gould played for Newport RFC and won 27 Welsh caps, 25 of which were at centre. He also captained his country 18 times. His superstar status led to a testimonial appeal that received widespread public support, leading to the Scottish and Irish unions cancelling their fixtures with Wales in protest. England's Rugby Football Union brokered a one-off dispensation to enable Gould to benefit from the testimonial while retaining his amateur status, ensuring that international fixtures were resumed.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2023
Publisher: St David's Press

Arthur Gould, the definitive biography of the record-breaking Welsh international player widely acknowledged as the first superstar of rugby, has been meticulously crafted to capture the essence of this remarkable individual. Gould's fame and renown reached unprecedented heights, and his tragic, early death in 1919, at the age of just 54, resulted in a funeral in Newport that was reported as the biggest Wales had ever seen. Nicknamed "Monkey" due to his childhood fondness for climbing trees, Gould played the majority of his club rugby for Newport RFC and achieved an astonishing record of 27 Welsh caps, 25 of which were at center, a record that stood until 1980 when Steve Fenwick surpassed it. His leadership qualities were also evident, as he captained his country 18 times, a record that was only surpassed in 1994 by Ieuan Evans.

A true sporting sensation, Gould's retirement in 1899 marked the end of a remarkable career that saw him play more first-class matches, score more tries, and drop goals than any other player in history. His superstar status was further illustrated late in his career when a testimonial appeal received widespread public support and led to the Scottish and Irish unions canceling their fixtures with Wales in protest at the apparent breach of the game's strict amateur ethos. The controversy deepened when the Welsh Football Union, now known as the WRU, stood firmly behind their iconic player and withdrew from the International Rugby Board. Fearing that lucrative fixtures with Welsh clubs might be lost and that Wales might join forces with the newly established Northern Union of professional rugby, England's Rugby Football Union brokered a one-off dispensation that enabled Gould to benefit from the testimonial while retaining his amateur status. This allowed international fixtures to resume, ensuring that the rugby world could continue to marvel at Gould's extraordinary talents.

Comprehensively researched and written by acclaimed rugby historian, Gwyn Prescott, with the full support and encouragement of the Gould family, Arthur Gould - Rugby's First Superstar is a testament to the legacy of this remarkable individual. The book includes over 100 illust.

Dimension: 234 x 156 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781904609124