Played for Newport RFC 1909-10 to 1913-14 and for 1919-20 to 1920-21. Fullback who made several try saving tackles against South Africa in 1912.

In his book 'Newport Rugby Greats' (Handpost Books 1995) Alan Roderick relates:-

"... It was Fred Birt who scored the points, but Herbert Wreford who made the tackles on that distant day back in 1912 when Newport defied the South Africans to take the Springbok's Head, the first team to do so. (The idea, dreamt up by a South African newspaper, was that the tourists should present the animal's head to the first team to beat them and it now holds pride of place in Newport RFC's Trophy Room.) Three times, Herbert pulled off tremendous tackles: twice on flying right wing, Johannes Stegmann from the Cape Province, one of which almost certainly prevented a try, and one on left winger Otto van der Hoff. Herbert started out as a round ball player and came to rugby comparatively late in life, but, luckily for Newport, as a tackier, he was a 'natural'. He played seven seasons for Newport (1909-10 to 1913-14 and 1919-20 to 1920-21) playing in 151 games but scoring very few points: one drop goal and one penalty goal was all he had to show for all those matches, but then with ace kickers like Fred Birt in the side, Herbert probably did not get that much of a chance to challenge the men behind the Scoreboard."

The South Wales Argus of 14th March 1953 reported:- 

"Death of Herbert Wreford" 

"Mr Herbert Wreford, one of the most popular players who ever appeared for Newport - he was full-back from 1909 to 1921 - has died in Leicester." 

"Specially invited to join the Newport-Blackheath "centenary" celebrations recently, he was taken ill on the train down, missed both match and supper, and had to return to Leicester, where he died on Tuesday." 

"The most striking quality Herbert Wreford displayed as a full-back for Newport was his deadly tackling, and he played a most distinguished part in Newport's defeat of the Springboks in1912.  There were two or three occasions when it seemed well-nigh impossible that he could get to the speedy Van der Hoff, but he did; and when Stegmann attempted to go over him he found he was met by a stone-wall of resistance." 

"Irrepressible" 

"Herbert was well-known on tour for his irrepressible spirits. He was "the champion long distance singer". It used to be said he had been known to start singing on a long journey when the saloon left Newport Station and to troll out the last stave, with little more than the ordinary interval for "lemons", upon arrival at the team's destination. " 

"He retained his high spirits right to the end, and for years he had been the popular joint manager (with Lieutenant-colonel H. Giles) of Captain Geoffrey Crawshay's famous team in their annual tours of Devon and Cornwall. " 

"Herbert started playing football before there was any real organisation of the game in the Newport schools. He was 9 years old, and he played full-back for St Woolos School against the British School on the Horse Soldiers' Field, Bassaleg Road. After that he was one of the originators of the Clyfford Villa Association Club." 

"Soccer First" 

"Later he played for Caerleon in Newport and District League, when the team won both the League Championship and the Woodcock Cup, and were runners-up in the Monmouthshire League." 

"Then came the most important step of all - "the glory of my life" Herbert called it. His brothers Harry and Fred had played rugby for Newport Seconds - the former on the wing, the latter as a forward - and though Herbert was considered somewhat vigorous as an association back, they taunted him that "he would not have stomach enough" for rugby. So he sent in his application for a place in the Newport Seconds. That was at the beginning of 1909-10, and after the trials he was chosen to play full-back. He played in every match that season except three, when he was called upon for Newport Firsts." 

"His introduction to first-class football was one he did not forget - it was that notorious game at Llanelly on November 27th, 1909, as the result of which "Dromio" and the South Wales Argus were sued for libel. During 1911-12, upon the retirement of Stanley Williams, he was given the place of full-back  permanently in the Newport team. He played his last game in season 1920-21." 

"Apart from football HW was well known as a baseball player. He was one of the regular members of the Newport team who won the championship of the First Division of the Welsh Baseball League and the Grange Cup." 

"Devonshire Descent" 

"Herbert Wreford was the youngest but one of the seven sons of the late John Wreford, who for 21 years was a bellringer at St. Woolos Church, Newport. John Wreford was of Devonshire descent and Devonshire born, while his wife was born at Tiverton. A member of another branch of the family, Mr George Wreford, a London solicitor - traced the history of the family, and found that there had been Wrefords on Devonshire soil for 490 years." 

"John Wreford came to Newport about eighty years ago, and worked as a carpenter. Herbert was born on May 15, 1883, in Dock St, and was educated at the old St. Woolos School in St Mary Street. He left school early to start work, and eventually was apprenticed as a bricklayer to Mr. Alfred Hazell, an old friend of his father. When he was out of his time he started working for Mr. William Jewell, and at the age of 24 went to Canada with his brother Fred. They worked at their trade in Montreal and then returned home and started in business as builders, but dissolved partnership after about 12 months. Later Herbert became licensee successively of the Borough Arms, the George (Maindee), and the old Royal Albert in Commercial St. Some years ago, he took over an hotel in Leicester. He leaves a widow (formerly a Miss Coles, of Newport), a son, and twin daughters."

(With thanks to Herbert's grand daughter Jane Wreford.)

The following article appeared in the match programme for Newport v Pontypool on 25th January 1947 as part of that season's series 'A Peep in my Diary':-

"No. 13. - H. T. WREFORD (Former Newport Full-back)."

"Since I have lived in the Midlands I have followed "the Tigers" in most of their matches, and each time I go to Northampton I am reminded of a match there - I think it was in the 1911-12 season. Anyway, I remember Tommy Vile couldn't play, and Harry Uzzell skippered the side. Northampton were a really good team at that time - they lost only two matches throughout that season - and in the course of a very keen game I remember the referee, A. O. Jones, a famous "Tigers" centre and cricketer, threatened, to send me off the field. Then up to the referee dashed Reg Plummet, convinced him that never a straighter, nicer lad than I ever drew breath, and by the time he had finished extolling my virtues poor A. O. Jones was almost sobbing an apology to me."

"The Harlequins match of Walter Martin's year was another terrific game I shall always remember. We went to Twickenham with five reserves, while the 'Quins fielded seven English Internationals, with most of the remaining players potentials. They were truly a wonderful side, and it was a great struggle from start to finish. The match was won for Newport by a glorious drop goal by Fred Birt. Running hard towards the south end he suddenly stopped dead, and swinging round and bringing that wonderful boot of his into play, propelled the ball dead over the centre of the bar. That was the Only score in a great game. And writing of Fred Birt, it would be interesting to know how many points he actually scored by his kicking; and by the way, he skippered one of our finest sides."

"And in conclusion, I never cease to be grateful to the Newport Athletic Club for five happy years in which they taught me many things and gave me lifelong friends and companions...."