THERE are just a few tickets left for Newport RFC’s Hall of Fame annual dinner which is being held at Rodney Parade next week to honour great figures from the club’s glorious history, writes Iwan Gabe Davies.

A popular date in the Black and Ambers’ calendar, organised by Friends of Newport Rugby Trust, it takes place from 6.30pm on Thursday, April 17.

This will be the third Hall of Fame event and last year’s enjoyable celebration was a sell-out which saw tributes paid to a host of heroes, some posthumously.

The first two players to be admitted in 2013 were the late Walter John Martin and Fred Birt who both starred for Newport in their 9-3 victory over mighty South Africa in 1912.

Second rows Ian Ford and Brian Price, who successfully took on the All Blacks and their legendary forwards like Colin Meads, Waka Nathan, Brian Lochore and Kel Tremain, in Newport proudest moment, 1963’s immortal 3-0 win over New Zealand, were also inducted.

Price was Newport’s captain that day and went on to skipper Wales to the 1969 Triple Crown and tour Australia and New Zealand with the 1966 British and Irish Lions.

Others who joined the exclusive club were ex-Newport official Colin Taylor, England international prop Colin Smart who led the club to their 1977 Schweppes Cup final triumph over Cardiff, back row stalwart and captain Glenn George, dual international full-back Shane Howarth who played in four Tests for the All Blacks before going on to win 19 caps for Wales between 1998 and 2000 and popular lock forward Mark Workman who is the current team manager.

The 2012 inductees were administrators Richard Mullock and Tony Brown along with players Arthur Gould, Tommy Vile, Ken Jones, Bryn Meredith, David Watkins, Rhys Morgan, Jeff Watkins, David ‘Muddy’ Waters, Dan Griffiths and Dai Pattison.

* Tickets available from Rodney Parade on 01633 670690 for £30. It is held in the Bisley Suite from 6.30pm on Thursday, April 17 with a three-course meal starting at 7pm.

here will be speeches by various Newport RFC greats throughout the evening and an auction.