See: 1897 The Arthur J. Gould Testimonial, under Articles link on Newport History site first page.
Called "Monkey" because of childhood passion of climbing trees. Played for Newport 3rds 1878-79. Debut age 18 yrs 18th November 1882 vs Weston Super Mare at Rodney Parade (Won 1g 2t to 0) - had played for 3rd XV and was late replacement for regular fullback - ran in 2 tries with captain C. H. Newman shouting "kick, kick". Most Welsh capped centre until Steve Fenwick (Bridgend) at Lansdowne Rd on 15th March 1980. 27 Welsh caps (2 at fullback / 25 at centre) - debut vs England on 3rd January 1885 and last vs England on 9th January 1897, where he had been persuaded to come out of retirement for one game, played in front of 17,000 at Rodney Parade and Wales won 11 v 0. It was 18th time Gould had captained Wales. Record stood until 1994 (Ieuan Evans). Played for Newport 1882-83 to 1898-99. No accurate records until 1886 but from 1886-1899 scored 137 (+2) tries / 41dg. 1886-87 : ?app / 1t / 2dg 1887-88 : 3 app / 2t /1dg /1c. 1888-89: 5 app/ 0t. 1889-90: 15 app / 10t / 5dg. 1890-91: dnp. 1891-92: 25 app / 31t / 7dg / 6c. 1892-93: 24 app / 37t* / 4dg / 5c.1893-94: 28 app / 17t / 7dg / 24c / 1p. 1894-95: 21 app / 15t / 1dg. 1895-96: 23app / 16t / 5dg. 1896-97: 13 app / 7t / 9dg. 1897-98: 3 app / 1t / 1c. 1898-99: 1app / 0t. * Also scored 2 in friendly match.
Captained Wales 4 times in 1889-90. Spent year in West Indies. Returned for invincible 1891-92 season. In 1892-93 only 3 games lost and captained Newport in 1893-94 (L3) and 1894-95 (lost only to Llanelli A 6 v 8). Played also for Richmond (once vs Newport but on losing side!), Southampton Titans and London Welsh including their first ever fixture in October 1885 vs London Scottish when he played fullback.
On 20th April 2009 the Western Mail included this article in it's "Retro Report - How We Covered .... " section:
"Gould Testimonial and Presentation"
"THE testimonial to Arthur Gould, the renowned Welsh footballer, which took the form of title-deeds of the house, Thornbury, Clytha-park, Newport, together with an illuminated address, was presented to him on Easter Monday at the Drill-hall, Stow-hill, Newport."
"The actual presentation was preceded by a complimentary banquet, at which Sir John Llewelyn, Bart, MP, president of the Welsh Rugby Football Union, took the chair. Sir John was supported on his immediate right by the guest of the evening (Arthur Gould)."
"The company, which numbered over 250, comprised members of the Newport Athletic Club, the Rockcliff football team, which played at Newport during the day, and a large number of well-known townsmen of Newport. Mr SD Dean was the caterer."
"The balconies were occupied by the ladies. On the orchestra, Mr I Jacobs' string band played a selection of music, and, in front of the balcony rail, were rugby footballs, Indian clubs, etc, together with a portrait of Arthur Gould and a photograph of Thornbury, the house which formed the testimonial."
"The arrangements, admirably carried out, involved an enormous amount of work upon the senior hon. Secretary and promoter of the fund, Mr WJ Orders."
"Sir John Llewelyn rose to propose the toast of the evening and make the presentation."
"Sir John, who was cordially received, said he had pleasure in asking them to drink a bumper toast to the guest of the evening. His success had made Arthur Gould a household name, not only because he had appeared in no less than 27 international matches, but that he taught that combination was necessary for success, that a man could not play for himself, but for the team. (Cheers.)"