History of Victoria Saints BC
Games likely began in 1908 with friendly matches against Ammanford, Llanelli, St Gabriels, and Dyfatty.
The green officially opened on 17 June 1909 by Alderman J H Lee.
Players presented Alderman Lee with a silver jack, which was returned to the club over 100 years later by his family.
No games were played during World War II.
Limited records exist from the club’s early years until 1945.
Joined the South Wales and Monmouthshire League in 1945 (Third Division).
Achieved consecutive promotions:
Won Third Division in 1945.
Won Second Division in 1946.
Won First Division in 1947 and 1948.
Won the Blackinston Cup three consecutive years (1966–1968).
Notably defeated St Helens in one final by 18 shots.
Achieved an unprecedented treble:
Won First Division.
Won Blackinston Cup.
Won Walter Withey Triples.
Recognised by the Swansea Bowling Association with a commemorative shield, reported in the Evening Post.
Won the Blackinston Cup again in 1974, defeating Mynyddbach.
Secured the Mond Shield seven times between 1968 and 1979.
A split in 1980 saw nine players leave.
Frank Ffield recruited 7–8 new members from Guildhall, preventing collapse.
Performance declined, resulting in relegation from First Division to Third Division.
Remained in lower divisions for approximately 20 years.
Struggled to regain former prominence.
Several former players returned, stabilising the club.
Regained First Division status.
Finished as runners-up in the First Division on two occasions.
Four Landorian players joined in 2010, strengthening the team.
Won three consecutive First Division championships (2010–2012).
Two club splits in 2013 and 2014 led to significant player losses.
Membership dropped to 15 players, threatening the club’s survival.
Amalgamated with St Helens, forming Victoria Saints Bowls Club, following discussions led by St Helens chairman Ken Gabriel.
The merger, agreed at Swansea Indoor Club, revitalised the club.
Several original St Helens players later left, with only 2–3 remaining.
Membership fluctuated but saw periodic influxes of new players.
Notable successes:
Won Super 9 competition twice.
Won Walter Withey Triples in 2021 and 2023.
Consistently finished in the top half of the First Division.
Gwynfor and Fiona Hughes secured grants to purchase new equipment.
Dan Whithouse provided valuable support with club tasks.
New playing members joined, with more expected for the next season.
The Men’s Shed initiative proved successful, attracting new bowlers.
The introduction of the wider Thomas Family
2025 Champions of the SBA Division 1
Final 16 of the Carruthers Shield
Semi Finals of the Walter Withey Trophy
- Resignation of Rowley Thomas, Club Secretary and Treasurer
- Resignation of Ken Gabriel as Chairman
- Ken Gabriel elected as President
- Rowley Thomas elected as Chairman
- Nicky Thomas elected as Secretary
- Enda Gormley elected as Treasurer
History of Bowls at Victoria (1909-2024)
By Club Chairman R M Thomas
It is believed games started as early as 1908 against Ammanford Llanelli St Gabriels Dyfatty our green opened on the 17th June 1909 by alderman J H Lee he was presented with a silver jack from a collection from the players of the VICTORIA team just over a 100 years later the jack was returned to the club by one of the last remaining family of the alderman.
I regret that other than a few friendly games from the above teams and also against the newly formed St Helens team there are no remaining records of the club from its earlier years until 1945 at the end of the second world war we are of course aware there were no games during 1939 and 1944 I have established that the club for long periods did not play in the Swansea Bowling Association it is believed the club only joining a league called South Wales and Mon in 1945 in the third division winning that league and the second in consecutive years and going on to complete the treble by winning the 1st div in 1947 and 1948 this was the start of a golden period for the club in 1952 and 1954 the club enjoyed even higher glory winning the Welsh team Championship called the Caruthers shield this is the pinnacle of Welsh team bowls and we remain the only Swansa club to win it on two occasions.
1960 to 2024
1966 1967 1968 proved memorable years winning the Blackinston Cup in three consecutive seasons playing our green sharing team St Helens in one final winning by 18 shots. 1974 saw more success in this competition beating Mynyddbach in the final the club has since won this cup on several occasions. In fact from 1968 to 1979 the club won the Mond Shield on 7 occasions a memorable period in the clubs history.
1969 Jubilee Diamond Jubilee Year.
Another memorable year the club doing the treble apparently up to that time not achieved by any club winning the 1st div, Blackinston Cup, And Walter Withey triples in the same season this was reported in the Evening Post and a small shield was presented to us from the S>B>A> to commemorate the achievement. However in 1980 black clouds were in the way a split occurred 9 players left if it was not for Frank Ffield who managed to get 7 or 8 members from the Guildhall its doubtful the team would have survived naturally the were all new to the game the club crashed from div 1 to div 3 in successive season and were to remain in the lower divisions for approx the next 20 years only returning in either 2000 or 2001 to the first division.
2000 2001 years
During this period several old players returned whilst the club did not manage to win the Mond shield it did however retain its first Div status and were runners up on two occasions fast forward to our centenary year 2010 4 Old Landorian players joined the club which obviously made the club stronger the result three consecutive Div 1 championships 2010 2011 2012 we thought our future was bright but another two club splits occurred in 2013 and 2014 resulted in yet a further mass of players leaving so from 2012 to 2015 the club found itself once again in an unbelievable position its survival was becoming a serious concern down to only 15 players.
2016 season
I was approached by Mr Ken Gabriel then chairman of St Helens to discuss the possibility of the clubs amalgamating this was readily agreed by both clubs at a meeting at the Swansea indoor club there is little doubt in my mind if this had not occurred there would be very little chance of bowls today at Victoria for two seasons things looked bright again for the newly named club Victoria Saints this however several of the st Helens original players left for various reasons i believe only two or three remain.
2019 to 2023
Once again our membership was low then we would get in influx of players to restore strength but unfortunately this was short lived however during this period the club has enjoyed some success winning the super 9 twice and the Walter Withey triples 2021 2023 and finishing in the top half of the first div.
2024 season
Whilst we did not win a major trophy this year for many reasons I believe the future of bowls is bright at the club the arrival of Gwynfor and Fiona Hughes has transformed the club who would have thought we would have a fiffion dish washer heaters new score boards mats etc all achieved through the grants they have achieve also a mention must go to Dan Whithouse always ready to help with any task of course also important are the playing members who have arrived and the new members arriving next season the introduction of the Mens Shed.
Has also proved successful and several shed members are also joining the bowls side this season so the future is bright for this OLD CLUB LONG MAY IT CONTINUE as stated earlier this is only a very brief history of the club as records are almost in non existence i just hope that future members will appreciate knowing a little about the club that they play for and its success stories over the distant past.