THE GHOST GROUND

IT’S been dubbed the ghost train awaiting departure from platform one of Waterton Cross that was once a vibrant sports venue in Bridgend. Former South Wales Police and Wales prop Hugh Williams-Jones posted two haunting pictures on Twitter of the current sad state of the ground.

One of the pictures displays an old diesel multiple unit train and bus alongside the posts that during their heyday witnessed notable deeds.

It’s a far cry from half a century ago when Wales regularly used superb training facilities at Waterton Cross in the run up to international matches.

What became known as Welsh Rugby’s “Big Five” (including South Wales Police RFC stalwart Rod Morgan) would monitor training sessions ahead of making team announcements.

And all in all, Waterton Cross became the heartbeat of the Welsh game, and was frequently mentioned in media releases on radio and television.

Not only was the ground a central point for Welsh squad players to train – nestling conveniently between East and West – but it offered easy access after the M4 motorway was completed in 1980.

It’s believed the ground was bequeathed to the Glamorgan Constabulary and during 1969, it grew in stature with the merger of four police forces – Cardiff City, Glamorgan, Merthyr Borough and Swansea Borough – leading to the establishment of South Wales Police.

Regular rugby fixtures were struck during season 1969/70, and gradually the achieved standard was attained for the team to be included in the cherished Western Mail Merit Table.

South Wales Police Cadets was a rich breeding ground for future players while some gifted rugby players were recruited as policemen.

Just before South Wales Police was established, Neath flanker Brian Sparks and Bridgend centre Ron Evans won Welsh caps from the Glamorgan Constabulary.

But a trickle became a torrent and during the heyday of Waterton Cross, no fewer that 14 players represented Wales with Bleddyn Bowen a captain.

The full Welsh international-list with caps in brackets reads: Bleddyn Bowen (23), Richie Collins (38), Phil Davies (46), Richie Donovan (1), Alex Finlayson (3), Ian Gallagher (1), Ian Hall (8), Hugh Williams-Jones (17), Mike Knill (1), Martyn Morris (12), Stuart Parfitt (3), Rowland Phillips (10), Steve Sutton (9) and John Wakeford (2).

There were also strong links between South Wales Police and Bridgend RFC and on a first visit to Waterton Cross in September 1966, it was the “Boys in Blue” who carded a famous victory over the Brewery Field side.

And the rise of South Wales Police led to Bridgend boasting two firstclass rugby teams – only the City of Cardiff matched it at the time.

The links also extended to officers with David Rees representing both clubs while the late Colin Hillman was one of the finest uncapped players to represent both clubs at hooker.

And in what turned out to be lasting testimony, his carpentry skills led to the construction of the splendid press box in the main grandstand.

A grandstand was built, as rugby was so strong at the time, and it led to the superb cricket pitch being reallocated close to the gym.

South Wales Police were inaugural Heineken League members when it was introduced in 1990/91, and two years later they were in the top flight.

The stay at the top, however, was for one season only and it proved the zenith of their achievements.

By 1993/94 they were back in Division Two, and the Police remained a force at this level until the Welsh club game went regional in 2003.

Ironically, it led to strong rumours of Bridgend RFC owner Leighton Samuel selling the Brewery Field in order to finance a new 15,000 seat capacity stadium for the new Celtic Warriors regional team.

If the sale had gone ahead, then the remaining semi-professional Bridgend Ravens side were going to share Waterton Cross with the Police team.

But with the rapid demise of Celtic Warriors, rumour is all it turned out to be, and it left South Wales Police in a state of decline until 2012 when they withdrew the team from the WRU National League.

Since then it’s been all downhill with a few sides like Bridgend Athletic playing odd games there, resulting in the current state of decay.

The clubhouse that was a vibrant venue for many years – especially famed for New Year’s Eve functions in the ballroom - is boarded up while the rugby field’s once fine playing surface now resembles a cabbage patch.

“It’s sad to see Waterton Cross looking like this, as I have some great memories playing there,” said Hugh Williams-Jones.

“Incredibly, as it was also the base camp for Wales, many famous victories were planned at the ground during the Golden Era back in the 1970’s.’’

Two other former Welsh internationals – John Devereux and Paul Turner – also responded to the fate that Waterton Cross has suffered.

Devereux simply stated: “What a waste” while Turner said “I recall Welsh training sessions there, and what a wonderful place it was.”

And Richard Bourne, who was Secretary of South Wales Police Social Club and Athletic section from 198386, also recalls the fantastic venue.

“Waterton Cross was a wonderful sports facility and while rugby benefited from excellent exposure in the press, cricket was also very strong.

“There were regular fixtures with Glamorgan Seconds, and I recall playing against the likes of Winston Davies, Arthur Francis, Rodney Ontong and Gwyn Richards.

“The fixture-list also included Police touring teams from not only all parts of the United Kingdom but also from abroad like the Bahamas.

“The Social Club was also vibrant, especially on Saturday nights when top acts like Mike Reed often performed, and the New Year’s Eve celebrations were a focal point in Bridgend for many years.

“It was so popular that outsiders had to wait for years to become Social Club members - and what’s subsequently happened is an absolute tragedy.’’

Fast forward to 2020 with lockdowns aggravating the situation, obesity levels in all age groups have increased, resulting in another Twitter responder suggesting Waterton Cross would form a wonderful fitness base.

This would certainly be preferable to seeing the ground in its current state, as a derelict transport hub for a train and bus.

Besides rugby and cricket, Wa

A train runs past the derelict Waterton Cross rugby ground terton Cross also boasted a football ground and bowling greens together with a splendid gymnasium.

South Wales Police became members of the Welsh Football League in season 1985/86, and were immediately crowned Division One champions.

They remained in the Premier Division for three seasons before slipping back down to the bottom tier, and remained there until being relegated at the end of the 1998/99 campaign.

Half of the football pitch has since been built on, but the old enclosure remains intact and can still be spotted from the A48 dual carriageway.

And another person who responded to the Twitter pictures of the rugby pitch fears that given time it could suffer a similar fate.

The bowls facility was in the car park close to the A473 dual carriageway, and for years immaculate greens greeted opponents for league fixtures.

But sadly all four sporting arenas are long gone along with the superb clubhouse lounge that hosted visiting dignitaries for post-match hospitality.

It also contained a plethora of rugby shirts and memorabilia, all neatly displayed in cabinets while the specially woven red carpet was emblazed with the South Wales Police logo.

Though the omens appear none too promising, it would be wonderful if one day Waterton Cross could be restored to its former glory of a sporting venue of excellence in Bridgend County.