News

Mike Williams, after a long illness, sadly passed away last week at the age of 78. The debt owed to a man who worked tirelessly for the good of Abercynon RFC cannot be repaid. Mike may never have put on a pair of rugby boots or passed a ball but during his 20 plus years tenure as secretary played a massive part in ensuring survival and financial security of the club.

Mike was a laid-back, popular and very approachable human being. Prior to him taking up the reins of club secretary he was known throughout the Cynon Valley and elsewhere for his many years of dedicated association with Abercynon’s junior football teams. It pleased him very much when many of those youngsters later turned to playing rugby for Abercynon RFC.

Nobody’s perfect of course and Mike, who was quite self-effacing, had an endearingly comical demeanour about him. Several times he was the recipient of the club’s annual Aberflyarff Trophy, which was awarded for the most humorous mistake over the course of the season. One that really stands out is that during the club’s tour of Canada in 2010 he was the only person in the history of the White Water Rafting organisation to have worn his wet-suit in reverse throughout the rafting exercise.

Over the last few years Mike’s health deteriorated badly. His mobility was very much impaired but his determination to the cause of Abercynon RFC lay undiminished. Moreover, he was an intrepid character who attended every occasion he could despite it becoming harder to do so. Abercynon RFC would like to put on record their thanks for Mike’s immense contribution to the Club. He is one that will be sorely missed. Also, our sincere condolences go out to Mike’s wife Irene, sons Anthony and Gareth, daughters Valerie and Clare and their extended family and friends. 

Funeral service to take place at 10.30am on 11th November 2021 at Abercynon Rugby Club with cremation to follow at Glyntaff Crematorium at 11.15am.  Refreshments will be held afterwards at Abercynon Rugby Club. 

Gareth Withey