VETERAN broadcaster and lifelong Scarlets fan Alun Gibbard will be in Cardigan and Newcastle Emlyn signing copies of his new book about the club.

It takes a look at the passion, fervour, joy and pride of an iconic Welsh rugby club and its inextricable links with the area.

Mr Gibbard said: “For me, it’s about bringing the power and the passion conjured up in the stadium to the page.

“The atmosphere at a Scarlets game is like no other. When the All Blacks were defeated in 1972, some of their players commented on the intensity of the atmosphere, and the intimidating effect that had on them.”

For Gibbard, who has worked for the BBC, HTV and S4C and is now a full-time writer with 26 books to his name, the social history of the game in Llanelli is hugely important.

The town of Llanelli took the game of rugby away from its traditional public school preserve and made it a working man’s game right from the very first days, helping to make it a game of the people, he said.

"The match on a Saturday afternoon provided a welcome antidote to the hard grind of working in heavy industry, for fans and players alike,” he added.

The book tells the stories of some legendary names in Welsh and world rugby: from Albert Jenkins to Phil Bennett, Harry Bowen to Terry Price and RH Williams to Stephen Jones. It also explores how Llanelli carved a place for itself on the international stage. For example, Gibbard cites how Trevor McDonald of ITN fame, knew of Llanelli when he was a child growing up in the West Indies.

“Llanelli is probably the world’s most famous rugby club, even those not directly involved in rugby have heard of it, and it captures the imagination of people throughout the world,” he said.

Other themes covered include: Llanelli in the 1870s – bringing rugby to the people; Sosban Fach - the song that brings tears to grown men; Stradey Park, -the place, the power and the passion; Moscow – travels during the Cold War; and touring teams – heroes in the making.

The book also features a host of fascinating black and white and colour photographs.

Peter Gill, of publisher Graffeg, said: “Llanelli has a special place in the hearts of Welsh people as the club has produced so many of the country’s rugby stars. However, the club has also earned a special place in world rugby. Alun has put together an unrivalled insight into how this all came about - the people with passion and power who made it happen.”

Alun Gibbard will be signing copies of his book on Wednesday, December 2 at Siop Iago, Newcastle Emlyn, from 7-8pm during the Victorian Evening in the town, and at Awen Teifi, Cardigan, on Saturday December 12, from 11am-1pm.

Scarlets, The Official History is published by Graffeg, price £20. It is available from bookshops and online.