At the 50th Anniversary Season Awards Presentation Evening Bridgend Athletic RFC honoured the only 2 players who are known to have played 500 Senior games for the club.
They were awarded with specially commissioned 500 Caps in an inscribed display cabinet by Head Coach John Apsee & Wales & British Lion Rhys Webb.
Prop Wayne Fooks achieved the milestone on May 6th, 2023, and stands exactly on 500 Appearances at the age of 44.
Club legend full back or outside half reached the target a few seasons ago when records were incomplete – so it was unfortunately not possible to ratify at the time.
Stuart has made 529 Senior appearances and has a target on his back that only Wayne is anywhere near overhauling.
In fact in these days of National Leagues and Cups with only around 26 fixtures a season, it will be a very long time and dedication along with luck with injuries for anyone to reach that magnificent achievement.
Wayne came back from a broken ankle and leg 8 seasons ago to regain his 1st XV position when most players would have called it a day. He is short in stature and most props he faces are much heavier, but very few in 26 years of senior rugby have out scrummaged him. It is a testament to his dedication and training that he is still competing for the Ath 1ST XV in a demanding Div 1 West Central League, playing in 23 of the 26 1ST XV fixtures. His 500 Senior Apps comprise 428 for the 1ST XV, 72 for the 2nd XV and has crossed for 31 tries and 155 points. Wayne is a former Clubman of the Year proving the esteem he is held in the club.
Stuart took approx. the same number of years to achieve his club record 529 appearances and after retiring aged 44 with back problems to concentrate on coaching the Ath, he helped out with an outside half crisis at the age of 48 and was even named man of the match away at Cambrian Welfare.
Stuart holds multiple Club Records
. Club Records
Most Senior Apps 529 – Most 1St XV Apps 479
Most Ath points – 4723 (incl 160 tries)
Most Ath points in a season 2003-2004 – 393
Most seasons 1ST XV Captain – 8 – between 1996 and 2006
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