Merthyr Tydfil RLFC

[3] At the AGM a proposal was made for Merthyr Alexandria to adopt professionalism and join the Northern Union, but this was overwhelmingly rejected by the committee.

[4] During their ten match losing run, they lost their first ever all-Welsh encounter, when Ebbw Vale beat them 2-0, and on 2 November they were beaten [5] by the very first touring New Zealand side.

[7] As the season continued, Merthyr's performances on the pitch improved, with wins over Huddersfield, York, Leigh, Wakefield Trinity and a high-flying Hunslet.

The season opener against Oldham attracted between 2000 and 3000 spectators, a disappointing number, though the weather was poor and the admission price a bit high.

[8] Crowd control was sometimes an issue, and the College ground was suspended for two weeks after the Rochdale Hornets game, after the referee reported he had been 'molested' by the spectators.

[8] The 1908-09 season saw the first real attempt to bring rugby league to Wales: four new Welsh teams were formed, Aberdare, Barry, Mid-Rhondda and Treherbert.

Merthyr started the season with one of their biggest signings when they acquired the services of Duncan McGregor, an ex-New Zealand dual-code rugby international.

Merthyr had a good Northern League season through their victories over their fellow Welsh clubs, winning nine matches out of eleven encounters.

[10] Merthyr beat the tourists 15-13, and also supplied eight players to a Welsh League XIII who defeated the Australian team on 16 January 1909.

J. Cowmeadow,[12] a prolific winger who scored the winning try for the Welsh League XIII against Australia,[11] was signed to York City Knights.

[13] He was followed later in the season by forward player Dan Lewis, before David "Dai" Davies and Fullback Palmer Griffiths were signed by Swinton.

[13] The season also saw a marked decline in attendance figures, with many supporters switching their allegiance to local association football team Merthyr Town.

In the first game on 4 December 1909, Wales travelled to Belle Vue, Wakefield, Merthyr saw David "Dai" Davies collect his fourth consecutive cap.

[6] The second encounter was played at Ebbw Vale's Bridge End Field; three Merthyr players were selected: Rhys Rees, David "Dai" Davies and Dan Lewis.

[6] It was reported that the team 'cut a ridiculous figure' during the match, and the club officials 'realised that if they were to retain public support the tide of defeats would have to be stemmed'.

[13] Merthyr rose to the challenge briefly, beating Barrow and Bradford Northern in the next two games, but their form slipped again and these results were followed by four more losses.