It with great regret that we have to announce that long standing life member, former secretary and current treasurer Howard Thomas passed away on 4th May 2020.
Howard’s history with Dunvant RFC goes back to the late 1950s when he started to watch the youth side in Dunvant Park. After attending Swansea Grammar school and then studying at Bristol University, he returned to the family home in Derwen Fawr and started to play for the club alongside Peter Muxworthy, Geraint Edwards and allegedly formed a formidable second row partnership with David Vaughan before becoming the club’s first appointed second team captain.

Howard became vice chairman in 1966 before being elected club secretary in 1969, ultimately becoming one of the longest serving club secretaries in Welsh rugby, remaining in the post until he took over as treasurer. He was prominently involved in the purchase of the ground, developing the pitches and building of the clubhouse which we know day.

Furthermore, Howard was involved with the West Wales Rugby Union, Swansea and District Rugby Union, District E, Round Table, Rotary, Probus and numerous other organisations together with being Mr Vaughan’s long suffering driver to the majority of his many speaking engagements. Always one not to miss out on a trip, he went on numerous tours with both the rugby club and choir, famously being known as the “Hamburg Horror” on the club’s tour to Germany in 1975 and for the waterslide incident during the centenary tour to Torremolinos. Another time was when we played Padova in the European Challenge Cup competition, Howard, Peter, Dai and Glenys had missed their train connection. A local lady took pity on them and offered them a lift to the ground which they gratefully accepted, it turned out her car was a Fiat 500 and she drove right into the ground 10 minutes after kick off with the 3 of them squeezed into the back along with luggage sticking out of the sun roof.

A hugely popular and well respected figure throughout South Wales in both business and rugby circles he will be sorely missed. A partner in HW Vaughan & Co accountancy practice in Heathfield, Swansea, latterly merging to become WBV, he was still involved until recently. Above all he will be missed by everyone at Dunvant, whether standing behind the bar counting the till, checking the cellar or more often providing lifts home late at night after locking up the club.

No doubt further stories and memories of Howard will be added to this page over the next few days. We as club owe a huge debt of gratitude for the tireless work Howard Thomas has given to Dunvant RFC over the last 60 years.

God bless you Howard and thank you for everything you have done for Dunvant RFC for the last 60+ years

More information and funeral arrrangements will follow when available.

To view our photo gallery of Howard Thomas, click on the link below:
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dunvant/photos/howard-thomas-945086.html

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dunvant/photos/howard-thomas-945086.html