News

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Aberaman/Aberdare RFC  life member Ray Stacey.

Ray was a great club member who held the club and especially the youth teams of the club close to his heart,

He was a player of great stature playing for all the teams through the club in his heyday, Bob Matthews fondly remembers him playing for the newly formed third team (yes we ran a third team) and Ray was one of the older members of that side his standard quote at the lineout, which was "boomed out" in his huge voice was Jump and Spoil lads Jump and Spoil.

When Ray finished playing he became involved with the committee and his duties involved the youth team set up alongside the likes of Glyn Chivers, Dai Picton, Elwyn Gay and many others, his commitment was inspiring, Ray was a kind and generous man who when Nick James was having trials with with the welsh youth at the time Ray took it upon himself to transport Nick and his father Dai to all the trials as Dai didn't drive,

 Nick remembers those journeys fondly and he related this tale when we spoke recently the hidden kindnesses are not always known.

In his later years Ray, a proud Cwmamanite, would always travel up to Aberdare on the bus for saturday's game and he would be found quietly drinking his favorite pint of brains chatting to everyone and anyone in the club who sat with but always making a point of leaving on time to go home and have his tea or Val would be annoyed if he was not on the right bus home as she'd be expecting him

His ill health stopped him  enjoying the rugby he loved and his other passion singing with the cwmbach choir in the last few years. 

Ray was a life member, something that is not awarded easily for his great contribution to our club. We will miss him as we have during his illness.

We would ask as many members of our club to attend his funeral on the 26th May 2023 at Llwydcoed Crematorium at 1-30PM and back to the club to celebrate his life.

His family would be pleased if club ties were worn as a mark of the clubs respect for Ray and his standing in our rugby community

Darrell Williams

Chair Aberdare RFC