The following is the report of the testimonial presentation from the Western Mail of 20th April 1897.
"GOULD TESTIMONIAL, PRESENTATION AT NEWPORT."
"COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET TO THE WELSH PLAYER."
"SIR JOHN LLEWELYN AND FOOTBALL."
"The testimonial to Arthur Gould, the renowned Welsh footballer, which took the form of the title-deeds of the house, Thornbury, Clytha-park, Newport, together with an illuminated address, was presented to him on Easter Monday evening at the Drill-Hall, Stow-hill, Newport. The actual presentation was preceded by a complimentary banquet, at which Sir John Llewellyn, Bart., M.P., president of the Welsh Rugby Football Union, took the chair. Sir John was supported on his immediate right by the guest of the evening (Arthur Gould), and the other supporters were the mayor of Newport (Councillor T. Goldsworthy), wearing his chain of office; the Rev. T. L. Lister, vicar of St. Mark's; Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P., Colonel Wallis, J.P., Mr Clifford Cory, J.P., Dr. Marsh, Mr. T. E. Watson, J.P., Mr. W. Lyndon Moore, Mr. T. J. Beynon, J.P., Mr. E. Bellerby, Mr. W. D. Phillips (Cardiff), Mr. J. Livingstone (Swansea), Alderman H. P. Charles (Neath), Mr. J. Routledge (Rockcliff), Mr. A. Henshaw, Mr. T. Parry, J.P., Mr. R. Stratton, Mr. W. E. Heard, J.P., Mr. H. D. Yorath, Councillor G. H. Llewellyn, Mr. Checci (Argentine Consul), Mr. T. Williams (Llwynypia),Mr. H. P. Jenkins, Colonel Mansel, Mr. L. H. Hornby, Mr. T. H. Mordey, Councillor F. Phillips, Mr. Edward Phillips, and others. The company which numbered over 250, comprised members of the Newport Athletic Club, the Rockcliff football team, which had played Newport during the day, and a large number of well-known townsmen of Newport. Mr. S. D. Dean was the caterer. The balconies were occupied by ladies. On the orchestra Mr. I. Jacobs string band played a selection of music, and, in front of the balcony rail, were Rugby footballs, Indian clubs &c., together with a portrait of Arthur Gould and a photograph of Thornbury, the house which formed the testimonial. The arrangements, admirably carried out, involved an enormous amount of work upon the senior hon. Secretary and promoter of the fund, Mr. W. J. Orders."
"After dinner the Chairman gave the toast of "The Queen", and the Mayor gave "The Prince and Princess of Wales"."
"Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P. proposed "The Newport Athletic and Kindred Clubs". The Newport football team, he remarked, had probably been the best in Wales or out of Wales. That was the first time that he had spoken in a professional capacity, (Laughter.) He understood that numbers of the Rockcliff Club were present , and he wondered what they thought of the fact of their being professionals. He believed that he owed more to football than any other person then present, because, one hundred years ago, one of his ancestors left Magor for playing football on Sunday, and went away into Glamorganshire, and there found prosperity."
"Mr. Bellerby, one of the pioneers of the Newport Club, first responded. He remarked that the prosperity of the Newport team was, in the first place, due to the generosity of Lord Tredegar. After that it was due to those members who had excelled in all departments of athletics, but none of whom had excelled the guest of the evening."
"Mr. W. D. Phillips responded for Cardiff, and thanked the company for the way in which they had recognised the football club of that town. Although rivalry was strong, they all stood together hand in hand to recognise a sportsman, and none was a truer sportsman than Mr. Gould. He was glad, too, that the movement for the presentation of the testimonial was initiated at Cardiff, Mr. D. A. Thomas having started it on 'Change at Cardiff."
"Mr. Livingstone (Swansea) also responded. Not in England or in Wales was there a better or a more honourable sportsman than Mr. Gould. Their gathering that evening was rather under a cloud, but he felt that Wales was right and that the International Board was wrong. (Hear, hear.)"
"Mr. Alderman Charles of Neath, and Mr. Routledge, of Rockcliff, also responded."
"A large number of letters of apology were read by the Secretary (Mr. W. J. Orders) before Sir John Llewellyn rose to propose the toast of the evening and make the presentation."
"Sir John, who was cordially received, said he had a very great pleasure in asking them to drink a bumper toast to the guest of the evening. He should not be doing justice to himself if he did not re-call the days when, as a cricketer, he used to associate with Mr. Arthur Gould's father, an excellent and good friend. As a leader of Newport, he did his best to keep the cricket club together and did asmuch in his generation as his excellent son did in his in the interests of sport. His brilliant success had made Arthur Gould's name a household name, not only because he had appeared in no less than twenty-seven international matches, but that he taught that combination was necessary for success, that a man could not play for himself, but for the team. (Cheers.) Those present that evening had come from all parts of Wales to proclaim him the best captain that South Wales had ever had in international matches. Sir John felt that the training he himself had received in football had been of service to him, and he owed as much to football as to any other sport. He had watched the development of the Rugby game, and thought the principles of discipline and temperance had been of great value to young men of to-day in Wales, and Mr. A. Gould had been the exponent of those principles to the rising generation of Wales. (Hear, hear.) The subscription-list was not merely national, but spread all over the world - (cheers) - for subscriptions had come in from America, Australia, and South Africa, and everywhere where Englishmen associated. Whatever other Unions might think, Wales was justified in holding her own opinions. (Loud cheers.) They would be cravens if they did not hold them. They might find fault with who sold their patriotism, but could not with one who had remained faithful to his country, and no doubt the other Unions would think so in a twelve-month's time. They all thought it right to distinguish between professionalism and a recognition of Arthur Gould, as the whole of Wales had unanimously agreed to recognise him. He spoke for the whole of Wales in wishing Mr. A. Gould many years of prosperity. Welsh football was now a splendid exhibition of a splendid game. (Loud cheers.)"
"Mr. W. J. Orders then read the illuminated address (in album form), and stated that the design was the work of the founder of the Welsh Union - Mr. Richard Mullock."
"Sir John Llewellyn thereupon presented the address and title-deeds of the house to Mr. Gould, amidst immense enthusiasm."
"On rising to respond Mr. A. J. Gould was received with loud and ringing cheers, renewed again and again, and increasing in volume till the band struck up "See, the conquering hero comes." When the tumult ceased he said he felt it quite impossible to express his feelings after the very cordial way in which they had received the toast, and for the magnificent present which, they said, was deserved. He could not think that, but, if it was so, he was pleased, because it was a magnificent recognition of his humble services as an athlete. What he had done for Welsh football had been done from the heart. (Cheers.) It never made any difference to him whether he played for the country or for the dear old club. (Cheers.) He had been called a veteran. He knew he was getting out of the old game. ("No.") The spirit, however, was willing, but the knees were weak. (Laughter, and loud cheers.) He would play for another ten years if Nature would give him new legs. He thought the season then finishing a most exciting one. The members of the International Board were all personal friends of his, and he knew they honestly acted when they objected to the testimonial, but he thought they would change their minds after the outburst that had gone up from the country. It was a great gratification to him to see the staunch way in which the Welsh Union, backed up by the Welsh people and press, had supported him. (Loud cheers.) Now, at the end of his career, he was glad to stand up to receive that testimonial, remaining still, as he always meant to be, an amateur. (Loud cheers.) He was glad that it left him without restriction in the future. He hoped that the Rockcliff team would in no way suffer for being present, and it gave him much pleasure to see the captain of that team (Mr. E. W. Taylor) there, thereby paying a compliment to him. Rockcliff and Newport stuck together very well, and he should not like to see them get into trouble through any cause of his. Sir J. Llewellyn was very kind in his references to his father, and he thanked him. As Newportonians, they did not mind being beaten by Welsh clubs, but they did not like being beaten by English clubs. (Cheers.) Those who subscribed to the testimonial had been guided largely by such men as Sir John Llewellyn, for they knew he could not go far wrong. He again thanked them very cordially. (Loud and prolonged cheers.)"
"Mr. Clifford Cory proposed "The Welsh Football Union" in a eulogistic speech."
"Sir John Llewellyn, in response, desired to thank Mr. Orders, the hon. Secretary, and Mr. Phillips, the hon. Treasurer, of the testimonial fund for the admirable arrangements they had made and carried out. (Hear, hear.) He proposed the health of Mr. Orders and Mr. Llewellyn Phillips, who responded."
"Subsequently a smoking concert was held, in which a fine programme of talent was engaged."
