Peter Thomas: Chairman’s departure signals end of era for Cardiff Blues

His financial backing and business acumen would prove invaluable at a time when the game was turning professional.

Turning Cardiff RFC into a rugby powerhouse was no pie in the sky dream for Thomas.

The club’s former fly-half, Gareth Davies was brought in as chief executive and the side reached the final of the inaugural Heineken Cup in 1996, narrowly losing to Toulouse in the final in extra-time.

Cardiff showed their intent with the recruitment of several high-profile players.

Welsh internationals Jonathan Davies and Dai Young returned from rugby league while the likes of Rob Howley, Neil Jenkins and Leigh Davies were snapped up from Welsh rivals.

However Cardiff’s ambitions were outgrowing the domestic Welsh structure and, along with Swansea, they refused to play in the WRU-sanctioned Welsh Premier Division in 1998.

Cardiff were subsequently forced to play friendly matches against English opposition during what was known as the “rebel” season of 1998-99 before an agreement was reached with the governing body and they returned to the Welsh fray.

Competitive cross-border fixtures became reality in 1999 with the formation of the Welsh-Scottish League, a precursor to the Celtic League and eventually the Pro14.

That signalled the biggest ever upheaval in Welsh domestic rugby – the formation of five regional sides in 2003.