News

To all the friends that I have made in the club over the past 40 years, unfortunately and with regret due to continuing health problems I have decided to stand down as Secretary of Fleur de lys RFC.

It was back in the 1975-76 season when a few of us footballers made the transition from Pen y Bryn FC to the rugby club, the start of a wonderful friendship for us all. For a few like myself it was straight into the 2^nd XV or as we liked to call ourselves in those days “The Baabaa’s”. Under the watchful and experienced eye of our Captain “Dai Edwards” he guided us into the basics of rugby union. Dai wasn’t a man of many words but when he did talk it was with enthusiasm and authority. In fairness his pre-match talk was far less complicated than today and he generally stuck to two game plans, plan “A” was always get the first punch in and plan “B” get it out to the backs and run. Following the games in those days there was always the after match sing a-long and even though we weren’t blessed with many individual singers the harmonisation between everyone seemed to get better as the beer flowed and Dougan got drunker!!!

Eventually I got my chance and managed to break into the First XV were fortunately I spent most of the rest of my career. Some of my proudest moments was being part of numerous Cyrus Davies Cup Winning teams. Eventually as with many players injuries took its toll but I did manage one last season as Captain of the Athletic XV back in 1987-88 season. Again we had quite a successful season only losing three games all year. Unaware to the Mrs I still managed to get a few more First team games under my belt especially when they struggled for a team away from home.

 Following my playing days another proud moment for me was coaching the Youth Team with my old friend Tim Jones, a role I fulfilled for six seasons. This period in my life was so rewarding coaching talented players like Craig Marshall, Huw Wilding and Dean Murrell just to name a few. The pleasure continued then watching those players progressing into the First team was the icing on the cake.

My career with the committee started in 1999 the year of the World Cup in Wales, the committee were desperate for help so I joined my former playing mates Gary Richards, Bolshi, Tyrone and Dougan and enrolled as Sponsorship Secretary, eventually taking on the role of Club Secretary as well later that year. As they say the rest is history, but again the past 15 years have brought some memorable times for me with the clubs success on the playing field and some fabulous tours to the U.S.A & Canada, times I will always cherish.

I would like to finish and take this opportunity to thank all sponsors, supporters, members and players for the support I have received over the years at the club, and for so many wonderful memories on the way. While I appreciate things are not going so well on the field at the moment I am a big believer in what goes around comes around, and hopefully the good times will return in the not too distant future.

Before I close on behalf of my wife Karen and myself, I would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Allan Evans (Reggie)