I'm tired of this whole Pontypridd Blues thing as well to be honest. It's exhausting as a supporter and is mainly created by passion for traditional clubs (which I genuinely understand), rather than an understanding of the funding and the player development system.
It's a hard thing explain in a post Alias, and to be honest, most Welsh and will have a different perspective on the problems of Welsh rugby, which is why we are always arguing. In a nutshell, the way the five professional teams were created was based on who had the money to do so, as the WRU was poor at the time, and therefore private individuals shaped the future of Welsh rugby. At the time, the big clubs were mainly funded by benefactors who were ploughing private money into the game. However, most of this was unfeasible in the long term, Cardiff Blues (or Cardiff RFC Ltd) still owe Peter Thomas (the chairman) just under £11 million pounds thanks to that period. So, the WRU didn't have the money to represent everyone, and most teams didn't have the money to compete at the highest level, and therefore it was decided that 4/5 teams would be created to try to represent regions of Wales.
The process of creating the regions was unstable and completed far too quickly, leaving what looked like 3 clubs and 2 regions. The Celtic Warriors demise left a large section of a rugby playing population without a professional to represent them. Knowing there was (and still isn't) any money to keep the Warriors going, much of the Valley's and Powys player development responsibilities (that includes clubs like Beddau, Pontypridd and Merthyr) were handed to the Cardiff Blues and much of the Bridgend region's player development was handed to the Ospreys.
Problem is, Pontypridd fans (I'm not so sure about the other valleys clubs, because they are also very proud) do not feel the Blues represent the Valleys. After all, they are called Cardiff Blues and play at the Cardiff arms park. I get that. However, the private businessman who owns Cardiff RFC Ltd and Cardiff Blues, know it's far too risky and expensive to set up a whole new region, which a new stadium, new infrastructure and a new name. Plus, we know when Cardiff Blues are playing well the crowds are there. Look back to the HC QF and SF of 2008, they had in excess of 40 and 60 thousand at those games. It's too dangerous and bad business to change for those who suggest they "will never be a blue" anyway?
So, because Cardiff Blues won't change for various commercial reasons, Ponty fans are very passionate about their own semi-pro club, as they always have been. Cardiff Blues sign a number of Pontypridd RFC and Cardiff RFC players to the professional set up as that's the player pathway. These players are often sent back to their clubs to get game time with their wages paid by Cardiff Blues and continue to develop. However, this set up isn't developing players of a high quality and many point the finger at the Principally premiership. Where we are arguing at the moment is whether they try to strengthen the semi-pro sides or whether the regions should bring in A teams.
Other fans may tell you story in different ways. They will also have a few theories about the demise of the Warriors, which has also left a bad taste in the mouths of a lot of people. The 127 years of Cardiff RFC will always be remembered, but the Cardiff Blues are not that team.
