Arthur Gould
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Arthur "Monkey" Gould was a centre and a fullback for Newport's rugby football team. He was born 10 October 1864 in Newport. His nickname was Monkey because of childhood a passion for climbing trees. He played for Newport for sixteen years, from 1882-1898. He made his debut at 18 years old on 18 November 1882 against Weston-super-Mare at Rodney Parade (W 1g 2t to 0).
His elder bother Bob had already played for Wales. Arthur had played a few games for the 3rd XV and was the replacement for the regular fullback. He ran in two tries with captain C H Newman shouting "kick, kick"! He was the most capped Welsh centre until Steve Fenwick (Bridgend) beat this at Lansdowne Road on March 15 1980. He played 27 times for Wales (2 at fullback / 25 at centre} - making his debut against England on January 3 1885 and ending also against England on 9 January 1897 the last game was played in front of 17,000 supporters at Rodney Parade and Wales won 11-0. It was the 18th time Gould had captained Wales. This record stood until 1994 (Ieuan Evans).
No accurate records until 1886 but from 1887-1898 he scored 136 tries and dropped 42 goals.
1891/2 : 7 dg / 31t
121pts
1892/3 : 4 dg / 37t
127pts
1893/4 : 8 dg / 17t
.83pts
1894/5 : 1 dg / 15t
.49pts
1895/6 : 5 dg / 17t
.71pts
1896/7 : 9 dg / 7t
.57pts
NB : No records available for conversions and penalty goals.
Captained Wales four times in 1889 and 1890 but then spent a year in West Indies. He returned to Newport for an invincible 1891/2 season. In 1892/3 only three games were lost and he captained Newport in 1893/4 (L3) and 1894/5 (lost only to Llanelli away 6-8). In 1896 he retired in his 30s but was persuaded to return and in January 1897 he made his 27th appearance for Wales and captained them to victory against England at Newport (W11-0). A superb all round player / even time sprinter with swerve, side step / kick with either foot. He never ceased to practise to develop his fitness and skills. The outstanding player of his time.
On Easter Monday 1897 Sir John Llewellyn, President of WRU presented him with the title deeds of his house Thornbury, Clytha Park. There is an Arthur Gould Memorial Bed in Royal Gwent : "To the memory of Arthur Gould Greatest of Rugby Football Players".
Died 2 January 1919 at the age of 54. Taken ill at work and rushed home. He died of an internal haemorrhage and his funeral was reported as the biggest ever seen in Wales until ca 30 years later when David Lloyd George died. Buried at St Woolos Cemetery, Newport.
Brother Bob (forward) captained Newport 1886/7 and played 11 times for Wales once as captain versus Scotland 1887. Younger brother G H "Bert" (centre) played three times for Wales. Harry, Gus and Wyatt were the other three brothers to play for Newport. Wyatt captained Newport in 1905/6 and Harry was present in the first season 1875/6. There was at least one of the six brothers in Newports team for the first 29 seasons and Wyatt played until 1907 but not in 1904/5. Wyatt represented Great Britain in the 400m hurdles in the Olympics at White City, London in 1908.