Player Profile

Bryn Vernon Goldswain became Wales' 20th captain on April 6 1952, leading us in four matches. Born in Merthyr Tydfil but moved to Abercrave when he was four years old, and it was with the local village team that he played his first rugby, eventually going on to play for Neath. During the war he volunteered for the RAF and here he alternated between playing football and rugby and had a trial with Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was whilst in the forces that he made the acquaintance of Ted Bedford of Hull Kingston Rovers and at the conclusion of the war he was invited to go for a trial at Craven Park, on Ted’s recommendation. One “A” team game was enough to convince the Rovers administration to promote him straight to the first team. In 1948, after playing 122 times for Hull KR, the successful Oldham team was looking to strengthen their squad and a significant sum was paid to Hull KR to secure Goldswain's transfer. As part of his contract with his new club he was given the opportunity to pursue a teacher training course in Liverpool. He became a great favourite at Oldham and was appointed captain of the club in September 1950. He played 228 games for Oldham between 1949 and 1956, and was captain of the team for eight successive years. After retiring in 1958, he coached Blackpool Borough, Rochdale Hornets and Doncaster. From 1954 he also fell back on his qualifications as a teacher, teaching at Hollins Secondary Modern School, Oldham, Lancashire. He retired in 1982 as headmaster of Red Bank Community Home, Newton-le-Willows, a residential school for young offenders on the outskirts of Liverpool. Bryn and his wife retired to Ceredigion in January 1983, but he died on 24 April 1983 at the age of 60 after a short illness.