The Cardiff City Blue Dragons were a rugby league team formed in 1981. Their home ground was Ninian Park which was also used by Cardiff City FC. The club spent three seasons in Cardiff before relocating to Bridgend in 1984 as the Bridgend Blue Dragons, who were finally wound up in 1986. The team colours were royal blue shirts with a yellow and white vee. The shorts and socks were also blue.
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In 1951-52, following a successful stint in the Welsh League, Cardiff was elected to the Rugby Football League. However, after one disastrous season with low attendances, the club withdrew.
The initial success of rugby league teams Carlisle and Fulham RLFC which were backed by Carlisle United and Fulham FC association football clubs respectively, encouraged Cardiff City Football Club to form Cardiff City Blue Dragons for the 1981-82 season. Their managing director was David Watkins, their coach was John Mantle. The club initially signed three (former) rugby union internationals - Steve Fenwick, Tom David and Paul Ringer. A fourth (former) international, Brynmor Williams, was signed later on.
Their first game against Salford on 30 August 1981 attracted a crowd of 9,247. Despite finishing half-way up the Second Division in their first season, success on the field was elusive and the club failed to win promotion in three seasons at Ninian Park. Towards the end of their tenure in Cardiff crowds had dwindled to about 500 and they were forced into liquidation after the death of City chairman Bob Grogan. Their last home game was a 28-26 loss to York RLFC.
In July 1984 the club was bought out of liquidation by a consortium. The new owners came under pressure from the Welsh FA who wanted Ninian Park as their permanent headquarters and were opposed to ground sharing with rugby league. As a result the Blue Dragons changed their name to Bridgend Blue Dragons and relocated the club to Bridgend Town AFC's Coychurch Road ground.
Their first home game on 9 September 1984 attracted a crowd of 1,983 to watch Bridgend go down 28-16 to Swinton. After that attendances dropped and by February 1985 less than 200 fans were watching the home games. Their lowest gate was 148 for the final home game against Doncaster on 21 April 1985 when they went down 28-10. The club finished bottom of the Second Division with only one win.
Four days before the start of the 1986-87 season the Rugby Football League dropped Bridgend Blue Dragons from the fixtures for failing to secure a ground and Bridgend RLFC decided not to seek reinstatement.
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