Russell’s collection has ‘wow’ factor!
A WELSH rugby fan who has spent thousands of pounds collecting Groggs showcases them all in an impressive display at his home.
Mechanic Russell Davies has amassed more than 190 Groggs after he started collecting them around six years ago.
Dubbed as “the most famous pieces of rugby pottery on Earth”, Groggs are clay figures shaped to look like sporting heroes, film stars, musicians, animals and professional characters.
Russell’s impressive collection is insured for around £35,000, but the 44-year-old said most of his figures are priceless.
“It all started in 2012, when my wife made the mistake of buying me my first one as a Christmas present.
“It was the super Shane Williams Grogg, where he’s running with his finger in the air. It was made to commemorate him breaking the Welsh try-scoring record in 2010.
“Over the next few years I was told by my wife that I wasn’t allowed to go to the Grogg shop because she knew what would happen. So I would get them for birthdays, Christmas and Valentine’s Day as presents.”
But by the end of 2015 Russell visited the famous Grogg shop himself.
Located in Pontypridd, the shop – which has become something of a tourist attraction – was established in 1965 by John Hughes and is now run by his children Richard and Cathy.
“It just exploded from there,” Russell said.
According to the shop’s website, Groggs can range from around £30 to £300, depending on the style and edition. Not sure exactly how much his collection is worth, Russell said it was “in the thousands”. “They are insured for £35,000 but a lot of them are irreplaceable – even with the insurance money in your hand you wouldn’t find some of them. “A lot are available in the shop, but the older ones sold out years ago.” As well as the Welsh rugby team,