"WELCOME TO THE PARADE"
"THIS AFTERNOON we play our first Saturday home game of the season and are delighted to extend a very warm Rodney Parade welcome to Swansea, one of the most exciting teams in the country. During recent years the 'All Whites' have recaptured some of their former glories by winning the Whitbread Welsh Merit Table, the W.R.U. Challenge Cup (defeating Newport 13 - 9 in the final) and the unofficial Club Championship, after spending many years in the wilderness. A great deal of work has taken place at St. Helens over many years to produce the highly respected squad of players newly-elected captain David Richards has under his control. But he is confident that in harness with coach Stan Addicott, they will be able to produce continued success into the 80's."
"Any squad of players containing such names as Roger Blyth, Mark Wyatt, Tony Swift, David Richards, Gareth Jenkins, Alan Donovan, Alan Meredith, Malcolm Dacey, Brynmor Williams, Huw Davies, Clive Williams, Jeff Herdman, Barry Clegg, Geoff Wheel, Richard Moriarty, Gareth Williams, Mark Keyworth, Trevor Cheeseman, Hywel Hopkins, Gareth Roberts and Keith Williams, must be capable of producing running rugby of the highest calibre and no doubt our near neighbours, Cross Kevs, will confirm this. Last season the 'All Whites' achieved 'the double' over Newport, winning 23 - 3 at St. Helens and 9 - 7 here at Rodney Parade, and one has to go back eight games to the 24th September, 1977, to record the Black and Ambers last victory, when we won here at Rodney Parade by 16 pts. to 13 pts. But Swansea are well aware that they went through a very lean period here at Rodney Parade and that victories are never easy to obtain over the Black and Ambers."
"We welcome their Players, Committee and Supporters, confident that this afternoon's game will contain everything good in rugby football."
"Following today's game members of the Welsh Rugby Union will present Special Centenary Tankards to players of the Newport Club who were members of last season's Welsh Squad, and we offer our congratulations to Robert Ackerman, John Churchill, Gareth Evans and David Waters."
"The Chairman, Committee and Players of Newport Rugby Football Club wish to thank the family and friends of the late Mr. Mel Dawes for their generous Memorial Gift comprising of a Scoop Stretcher and Ultrasonic Therapy Equipment to the Football Section of Newport Athletic Club, instead of floral tributes, as requested by the late Mr. Dawes. The Scoop Stretcher is specially designed for spinal injuries while the Ultrasonic Therapy Equipment is for the treatment of soft tissue injuries."
"A new Players' Tie has been designed and can be obtained from the Club Office, priced £3.25, on production of an official certificate which can be obtained from the Honorary Football Secretary, Doug. Ackerman. Any player who has appeared on a First XV or United XV Official Team photograph is qualified to purchase a tie. Why not make a date of seeing Doug, after today's game?"
"Due to lack of space it was impossible to thank the Supporters' Club in the Pontypool programme for their sponsorship of the Match Ball used in that game. The Football Committee are very grateful and wish to extend the opportunity of sponsoring a Match Ball to any individual member, supporter, or company. The collection taken at the Pontypool game on behalf of the Terry Morgan Appeal Fund resulted in £260 being added to a very worth-while cause and the Football Committee extend their thanks to everyone who contributed."
"Any member who wishes to apply for tickets for the following matches, England v. Australia, England v. Ireland, Scotland v. England, and France v. England, are requested to contact Doug. Ackerman not later than Saturday, 10th October, 1981."
"Congratulations must be extended to Youth Team Coach Martin Parry and Dewi Dudley-Jones for completing last Sunday's Marathon on behalf of Rookwood Hospital and it is hoped that they will inspire other playing members of the Club to take part in next year's Marathon."
"This afternoon we welcome Welsh International Referee Clive Norling to take charge of the game following his visit to New Zealand where he controlled the final two Tests between New Zealand and South Africa. He enhanced his already high reputation and helped maintain the high standing of Welsh Rugby at all levels throughout the world. Welcome home, Clive!"