A native of Cardiff who captained the Welsh Secondary Schools XV in 1965 and played for Cambridge University's 1st XV, Gwyn Prescott was awarded an MPhil in 2006 on the history of rugby and is author of numerous rugby histories including, 'This rugby spellbound people' - The Birth of Rugby in Cardiff and Wales (St. David's Press, 2015), and Call Them to Remembrance - The Welsh Rugby Internationals Who Died in the Great War (St. David's Press, 2014 & 2021).

'We may never have seen him play but there is no doubt that those who did regarded Arthur Gould as one of the greatest sportsmen ever to wear the red shirt of Wales. His fame extended beyond the rugby field too and it is no exaggeration to describe him as the game's first superstar. This book is a fitting tribute to Gould. Intelligent, lively and intriguing, it matches its subject in its verve. Prescott's research is meticulous and he has done Gould and the histories of rugby and Wales itself proud.' Prof Martin Johnes; 'In vividly chronicling the life of rugby's first superstar, Gwyn Prescott has combined impeccable scholarship with an assured readability to produce a terrific book that enthrallingly evokes the world in which Welsh rugby union grew from infancy towards international importance and produced, in Arthur Gould's Newport, its first great club.' Huw Richards; 'The Gould family are delighted that the complete and definitive story of Arthur's colourful life and illustrious rugby career has at last been written, and in such a brilliant manner by Gwyn Prescott.' Gareth Harvey (Great-Great-Nephew of Arthur Gould)

• Introduction: "Arthur Gould Stands Alone"1. A Sequence of Chance Events2. Bob Leads the Way3. "Monk" Breaks Through4. History at Crown Flatt5. Back in the "War Paint"6. "Newport's Football King"7. A Testimonial for a Football Prodigy8. The Testimonial Comes Home9. Extra TimeAfterwordGould Brothers' International Matches & Scoring RecordBibliographyIndex

A native of Cardiff who captained the Welsh Secondary Schools XV in 1965 and played for Cambridge University's 1st XV, Gwyn Prescott was awarded an MPhil in 2006 on the history of rugby and is author of numerous rugby histories including, 'This rugby spellbound people' - The Birth of Rugby in Cardiff and Wales (St. David's Press, 2015), and Call Them to Remembrance - The Welsh Rugby Internationals Who Died in the Great War (St. David's Press, 2014 & 2021).

'We may never have seen him play but there is no doubt that those who did regarded Arthur Gould as one of the greatest sportsmen ever to wear the red shirt of Wales. His fame extended beyond the rugby field too and it is no exaggeration to describe him as the game's first superstar. This book is a fitting tribute to Gould. Intelligent, lively and intriguing, it matches its subject in its verve. Prescott's research is meticulous and he has done Gould and the histories of rugby and Wales itself proud.' Prof Martin Johnes; 'In vividly chronicling the life of rugby's first superstar, Gwyn Prescott has combined impeccable scholarship with an assured readability to produce a terrific book that enthrallingly evokes the world in which Welsh rugby union grew from infancy towards international importance and produced, in Arthur Gould's Newport, its first great club.' Huw Richards; 'The Gould family are delighted that the complete and definitive story of Arthur's colourful life and illustrious rugby career has at last been written, and in such a brilliant manner by Gwyn Prescott.' Gareth Harvey (Great-Great-Nephew of Arthur Gould)

• Introduction: "Arthur Gould Stands Alone"1. A Sequence of Chance Events2. Bob Leads the Way3. "Monk" Breaks Through4. History at Crown Flatt5. Back in the "War Paint"6. "Newport's Football King"7. A Testimonial for a Football Prodigy8. The Testimonial Comes Home9. Extra TimeAfterwordGould Brothers' International Matches & Scoring RecordBibliographyIndex