Arthur Gould
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Arthur "Monkey" Gould (October 10, 1864–January 2, 1909) was a centre and fullback for Newport's rugby football team. He was born in Newport. His nickname was Monkey because of childhood a passion for climbing trees. He played for Newport for sixteen years, from 1882–1898. He made his debut at 18 years old on 18 November 1882 against Weston-super-Mare at Rodney Parade (W 1g 2t to 0).
Arthur's elder bother Bob had already played for Wales. Arthur had played a few games for the third XV and was the replacement for the regular fullback. He ran in two tries with Captain C H Newman shouting "kick, kick!" He was the most capped Welsh centre until Steve Fenwick (Bridgend) beat this at Lansdowne Road on March 15, 1980. He played 27 times for Wales (2 at fullback; 25 at centre}, making his debut against England on January 3, 1885 and ending also against England on 9 January 1897. The last game was played in front of 17,000 supporters at Rodney Parade; Wales won 11–0. It was the 18th time Gould had captained Wales. This record stood until broken by Ieuan Evans in 1994.
No accurate records are available until 1886, but from 1887–1898 he scored 136 tries and dropped 42 goals. Although no records are available for conversions and penalty goals, other years' details are:
- 1891–92: 7 dg / 31t……121pts
- 1892–93: 4 dg / 37t……127pts
- 1893–94: 8 dg / 17t…….83pts
- 1894–95: 1 dg / 15t…….49pts
- 1895–96: 5 dg / 17t…….71pts
- 1896–97: 9 dg / 7t…….57pts
Arthur captained Wales four times in 1889 and 1890 but then spent a year in West Indies. He returned to Newport for an invincible 1891–92 season. In 1892–93 only three games were lost, and he captained Newport in 1893–94 (L3) and 1894–95 (lost only to Llanelli, 6–8, in an away game). In 1896 he retired in his 30s but was persuaded to return. In January 1897, he made his 27th appearance for Wales and captained them to victory against England at Newport (11–0). A superb all round player and even time sprinter with swerve, Arthur could side step and kick with either foot. He never ceased to practise to develop his fitness and skills. He was considered the outstanding player of his time.[citation needed]
On Easter Monday 1897, Sir John Llewellyn, president of WRU, presented Gold with the title deeds of his house, Thornbury in Clytha Park, Newport.
Gould died at age 54. He became ill at work and rushed home. He died of an internal haemorrhage. His funeral was reported as the biggest ever seen in Wales, until almost 30 years later when David Lloyd George died. Gould is buried at St Woolos Cemetery, Newport.
In Royal Gwent Hospital in the city is Arthur Gould Memorial Bed, inscribed: "To the memory of Arthur Gould – Greatest of Rugby Football Players".
[edit] Rugby family
Gould's brother Bob was a forward who captained Newport 1886–67 and played 11 times for Wales (once as captain versus Scotland 1887).
A younger brother, G. H. "Bert", was a centre who played three times for Wales. Harry, Gus and Wyatt were the other three brothers to play for Newport. Wyatt captained Newport in 1905–06 and Harry was present in the first season 1875–76. There was at least one of the six brothers in Newport’s team for the first 29 seasons and Wyatt played until 1907 (but not in 1904–05). Wyatt represented Great Britain in the 400 m hurdles in the 1908 Summer Olympics at White City, London.
