Back in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, they were one of the leading clubs in Welsh rugby, competing in the top flight of the league pyramid and reaching a series of WRU Cup semi-finals.
In that period, they provided a number of Welsh internationals, including the likes of Paul Turner, Andy Allen, Kenny Waters and Andrew Gibbs. They actually took on Wales in September 1989, as well as hosting Samoa and Romania during that era.
Rewind a couple of decades more and they were Western Mail champions in 1964-65, with great flanker Dennis Hughes amid their ranks, while prop Don Hayward had been a Test Lion in the 1950s.
In recent times, post the regional reorganisation, they had slipped down the league ladder to the third-tier of the Welsh club game. But now they are on the rise again, having just won the Division One East league title to gain promotion to the Championship.
They have also lifted the WRU National Division One Cup, beating Nant Conwy 29-13 in last month’s final at the Principality Stadium.
Having lost just one match all season, there is now the opportunity for yet more silverware when they face Bedwas in the Ben Francis Cup final at Blackwood on May 24.
It’s been some campaign, as commercial manager Paul Rogers confirms.
“At the start of the season, we were looking at the top three to claim one of the promotion spots,” he says.
Newbridge claimed the WRU National Division 1 Final honours at Principality Stadium
“I guess we have surpassed our ambitions. We have won the league, we have won the cup and we are in the final of the district cup, so you can’t grumble at that, can you?
“This is the first team to have won anything since the 1964-65 side really.
“We have had great sides and great players in the past. We have been in six semi-finals of cups, including the old Schweppes Cup in the 1980s, and this is the first time we have won.
“It’s been an excellent season. We have played some great rugby, in fairness. Our forwards have been strong and have supplied the ball to the backs for them to do what they do best.”
Next season, Newbridge will be competing in the east division of the Championship, which is being split into two sections. That will see them going up against the likes of Cross Keys, Bargoed and Bedwas.
“We know we are a village club really, but we are also well aware of the history of the club,” said Rogers, who has been involved for more than 20 years.
“Fingers crossed, this is a bit of a re-awakening.
“Next year is about consolidating ourselves in the Championship and seeing what the league is like, testing the water.
“The club is in a great place at the moment and if we can keep the momentum up and make gradual steps, who knows where we can go?
“I would love to see Newbridge playing the likes of Cardiff and Swansea in the Premiership. That used to be our fixture list and it would be great to have it back.
“We have got good young players coming through, while our minis and juniors section is strong, so the future is looking bright.”
Newbridge’s head coach is their former fly-half Jason Williams, who surpassed Neil Jenkins as the record points scorer in league history back in 2002.
“You can’t beat being at a club you played for, with a bunch of great guys and coming out on the right side,” he said. “Hopefully we can get the club to where it deserves to go. We are building something special at Newbridge.”
Veteran hooker Stuart Vokes, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the cup final victory over Nant Conwy, added: “The togetherness we have got is second to none and you can’t buy that. I have been at Newbridge eight years and this is where I feel at home.
“It was outstanding to win the cup final at the stadium. What a feeling. It was just fantastic to look at our supporters up in the stand and our players smiling because we have had a tough couple of years.
“We have worked hard. Sometimes, when you have bad times, you appreciate the good times more when they come.
“Having won the league and cup, it would be nice to win the Ben Francis Cup now and get the treble.”
