Sad loss - RIP Ray Gravell

[nickb]

I've just heard that Ray Gravell died last night.

For those that may not know, Ray played Rugby Union throughout the 1970s for Llanelli. He also won 23 caps for Wales and played in the British Lions side that toured South Africa in 1980. He later took up a successful broadcasting career for BBC Wales.

I met him once in the clubhouse at Stradey before the Llanelli-All Blacks game in 1989 and a nicer bloke you'd be hard pressed to meet.

He was just 56 years old

[wacky]

It is a sad loss.

You have surprised me with the fact that he only had 23 caps for Wales, but he will still be remebered as a legend.

But still, he will be fondly remebered

[nickb]

Originally Posted by wacky28

You have surprised me with the fact that he only had 23 caps for Wales, but he will still be remebered as a legend.

There was an awful lot of competition for centres in the Welsh team in the late 70s

[Kalahari Diver]

There were a lot fewer internationals, and only fifteen caps for the match so it was harder to get lots then. (No substitutions)!!! I always liked the Gren cartoon with the little man carrying a placard with "Ray Gravell eats soft centres" on it!!

David.

[fatone]

Very sad loss

[Charley]

I had the pleasure of meeting him once at the millenium stadium, whilst i was working there, he came up and thanked me for a wonderful day!

Grav, you will be missed!

Charley

[nickb]

Originally Posted by Kalahari Diver

There were a lot fewer internationals, and only fifteen caps for the match so it was harder to get lots then. (No substitutions)!!!

Yeah, I just checked: Barry John only got 25 caps, although he did retire early
Phil Bennett won 29 caps, Merv got 38 and the greatest player in the game, Gareth Edwards, only got 53.

[Spacehopper]

I went to school with Ray, he was a good lad then and a real gentleman in later life. I remember him tuning out for the Old Boys against the 1st IV and my mate in the centre, an Englishman, crash tackling him. It was returned with knobs on the next time RG got the ball . The OB won that game, well they would with RG and Roy Bergiers in the centre and a certain Gerald Davies on the wing.

RIP Gravs, you will be missed.

Gareth

[lloydwatkin]

Sad stuff, watching 'y clwb rugbi' on Friday nights just won't be the same without cheerful Ray smiling through the freezing cold rain.

Nos da Ray...

[String]

Best description i read about him was:

"He was the peoples turk".

Despite being a turk he wasn't actually annoying.

FWIW turks tonight playing with "grav" embroidered on their shirts and probably the only sell out game they'll get all season.
Cardiff playing Leicester wearing red arm bands as memorial too.
No idea what n*****t or Neath/Swansea will do but i suspect something.

Would also have thought a minutes silence at all the games in Wales tomorrow along with something at the Royal Inbred Cup vs South Africa later in the month.