About Us

Celtic rails roots stem from the earlier formation of the earlier Arriva Trains Wales Rugby team. Phil Jones had been in conversations with network rail about the game yet faced many hurdles with Arriva as they were dubious in allowing a rugby team due to the potential for injuries.

Fortunately, this is where Stewart Gabb came in and introduced himself to Phil on platform six and seven as the word was spreading on what was trying to be achieved, you now had two likeminded individuals with one common goal, Stewart came into his own and assisted in changing the minds of many. Fortunately for us we also had a director who was related to a rugby international and was just as passionate about rugby as we were. So, with his backing a side that formed that played the inaugural match at the Arms park, now known across the rail network as The Brunel Shield. The annual match that raises money for deserving charities.

From this first event a fantastic friendship / partnership emerged that had a driven focus on going forward. It could be argued that the birthplace of Celt Rail was on platform six and seven at Cardiff central railway station. Quite fitting given the circumstance. We discussed for weeks how we could take this forward, what the kit would look like, what we envisaged for the future. What it was we were aiming to achieve. For us it was quite simple we wanted to form a team that would for all intents and purposes form a community that would be there for each other, the social aspect was also important. We were fundamentally raising money for charities and passing these values on to the next generations. Stewart would go on to be the main driving force with many contacts with Lee assisting, as I was unable to give the full attention the club needed due to attending university and working fulltime.

In order to achieve this, it became apparent a team could not be fielded with just Arriva staff, this caused an issue what would we do? We rebranded and opened the doors to other rail staff from GWR, Cross country and further afield and so this gave fruition to the dream. Yet in five years of forming Celtic rail can proudly state it has raised thousands of pounds for different charities, Been on Rugby TV, a brief involvement with the Barbarians, as well as forming a tight Knit community that saw thirty embark to the rugby world cup in Japan in 2019. Being mindful that the pandemic has been about the bonds formed have ensured the survival of Celtic Rail for future generations to pick up the mantle and take our values forward, assist those less fortunate, family orientated, friends, loyalty and team unity.