a single small gate "sheer stupidity". The FAW decided to play the first Wales international in the south of the country, traditionally a rugby union stronghold, in 1894. St. Helen's in Swansea, the home ground of the Wales rugby union team, was chosen as the venue, and the decision was viewed by some as a direct move against a competing sport; one English newspaper described it as "carrying the war into the enemy camp with a vengeance". On the day of the match, the Western Mail published a diagram of a football pitch and a list of differences between association football and rugby union for those unfamiliar with the former. Wales defeated Ireland 4–1 in front of over 10,000 spectators, generating a £147 profit for the FAW. Buoyed by the income, the FAW arranged a second match in South Wales for England's 1896 visit, the first time a team other than Ireland had been hosted away from the Racecourse. Encouraged by a rugby union crowd of 20,000 at Cardiff Arms Park earlier in the year, the FAW selected the ground in the hope of attracting a similar number. However, the match was a letdown on and off the pitch. Despite organising free train travel for supporters in North Wales, only 5,000 attended the game, a crushing 9–1 defeat for Wales. The FAW turned its attention back to North Wales, with Bangor initially scheduled to host Ireland in 1898. However, a late change of venue moved the match to the Oval in Llandudno instead. Wales returned to the venue two years later, with 6,000 spectators attending a second match against Ireland in 1900. When the match began, only 4,000 spectators were at the ground; however, crowd noise attracted additional interest (and attendance) as the game progressed. Move south and pre-war success (1900–1945) Wales returned to the Arms Park to face Ireland in 1902, meeting England at the Racecourse a month later. The match against England, which ended in a goalless draw, attracted a record Welsh crowd of around 10,000. When 1903's only home match was awarded to the Arms Park, 25 North Wales clubs signed a letter of complaint to the FAW and requested a meeting with the governing body. The decision stood, however, and a crowd of 6,000 witnessed a 1–0 loss to Scotland. Wales's matches were becoming popular, and Bangor sought to bring the side back by offering purpose-built