Swansea RFC appeal for the return of stolen shirts

Swansea chairman Phil Llewellyn has asked all supporters and rugby fans to keep their eyes and ears out for news on four historical jerseys stolen from their clubhouse earlier this month.

The four shirts were taken from the Presidents’ Suite situated on the top floor of the building, with club officials unsure how they were taken, possibly while another room was hired out for a private function.

The four jerseys hold tremendous sentimental value to the club. One is a maroon colour Ranji Walker XV jersey from the 1970s, the second a combined England and Wales white shirt from around 1923 donated by the legendary Welsh winger and late Judge Rowe Harding.

The third is a green Irish jersey from around 1924, while the fourth is a Japanese international jersey, also from the 1970s, which contains red and white horizontal stripes

A fifth jersey was also taken – a signed, red Welsh international shirt donated to the club by former Swansea and Wales star Scott Gibbs.

Llewellyn said: “There are plenty of websites where people can sell them so we have to keep our eyes out and monitor what is being sold.

“We will be contacting websites and asking them to look out for them. The problem is if somebody sits on them for a few months while the fuss dies down and then tries to sell them. There’s now an international market so they are much harder to track down.

“If fans or anyone else hears of anything to do with the shirts, or if they hear anybody saying they have been in to the club to take them, please come forward.

“One can’t tell the value of them until they are put up for sale. We will now have to put them in to hard storage, where we have already placed all the other memorabilia from the suite of monetary value, which is such a shame for all our supporters who want to see them.”

An earlier club statement read: “They are an integral part of this great club’s history and part of our and the city of Swansea’s heritage. It is hoped that their return will allow them to be placed in a secure display to be enjoyed by all sports enthusiasts of whatever affiliation.”

Detectives in Swansea are currently investigating the incident, and are also calling on anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Dean Llewellyn of Swansea Central CID said: “These jerseys are important items of memorabilia for the club, and which they would like much to have returned.

“The club house has many rooms which are sometimes hired out to numerous organisations for various functions. I am appealing to anyone who has recently been in the club and saw any of these jerseys being removed, or has any relevant information to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Swansea Central CID on 01792 450618 or 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Further information and pictures of the four jerseys in question can be found on the club's website.