Looking back at the Neath v Pontypridd 1996 SWALEC Cup Final | WRU TV

[@matthewprice2626]

I went to every nearly every ponty match with my dad over these few years. The glory years of ponty. Loved it.

[@davidthomas450]

So sad to see the demise of rugby clubs in wales yes I can remember going to packed terraces where the supporters of the clubs were fanatical, but it gave all the local people a identity and made everyone want to play for their heroes . Great days will will unfortunately never come back .

[@pepelepew2724]

Remember it like it was yesterday. Amazing day.

[@welshcourtland]

Heartbreaking to see how vibrant the game was back then in Wales.The WRU should hang their heads in shame.

[@stavrosgeorgios5577]

People really don't get it do they? The only reason club rugby was so well supported is because the national side was at its worst level ever. 2002-2005 was the transition in support and the National side and WRU grew in strength and suddenly nobody wanted to go to their clubs anymore. Everyone wanted to watch Wales. Once we started beating England, Ireland and France on a regular basis, that is the kind of rivalries that got the public excited and they forgot about the clubs they used to be so passionate about.

[@robertroberts3703]

Anyone here remember the days when valley's clubs, north of the M4, used to fill the National Stadium and the club grounds before the days of the WRUination of the game in Wales?

[@AGWillcock]

We were there!

[@welshcourtland]

Just like too take the oppurtunity of thanking all at the Wru for ruining this competition.It will now be played in front of an empty stadium 5.30 on saturday evening.How you managed to achieve such a massive turn around in destroying such a great cup occasion deserves recognition.Again diolch yn fawr iawn.

[@oliverhunter9495]

It was in my opinion the best club competition in the UK, some of the 1/4 1/2 finals are the stuff of legend. To be fair to Ponty the 96 final was the best of finals.

[@michaelpugh8240]

Great days out

[@welshcourtland]

Ruginal rugby bedding in after 10 years.You are right there butt a bloody big yawn.Look at the difference with 1996.Ydych chin dwp?The game is dying in south wales.No fans no atmosphere no interest in the communities

[@rossthomas435]

,

[@ianwilliams7469]

I stopped watching rugby in Wales when the WRU killed clubs like Pontypridd, Neath , Ebbw Vale Tredegar , Newbridge, Aberavon Bridgend & so on they were proper rugby clubs now you have The Blues ,Scarlets Ospreys, Dragons 😂