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Paul Piper- A Tribute
Dunvant RFC18 May 2020 - 21:01
A tribute by past chairman and friend Martin Lewis
In these testing times, it with a deep sadness that I have to write about the passing of another Dunvant Rugby Club stalwart, Mr Paul Piper, known to us all as “Pipes” unexpectedly passed away on Saturday morning, 16th May. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and club members.
Paul joined the club at the age of twenty-two, and quickly became an established prop forward in the senior side. He was a popular character and grand master of the “wind up” and practical jokes. During the early eighties, Dunvant began their meteoritic rise through the uncompromising West Wales leagues. Player recruitment and retention during this period was critical with a succession of players from the thirds, seconds and the youth, all playing for the senior side in the same season and Paul was one such player.
Fortunately, the club was further bolstered by the arrival of some of Pipes’ Sketty Park mates, namely Chris George (Georgie), Rob Francis, Rob Jones, Mac “The Knife” and Les “The Shirt”. Collectively they added much needed strength in depth and a bit of steel to the cause.
Pipes worked in the construction industry, initially as a scaffolder, then supervisor and eventually as a boss of around sixty employees whilst running his own business. Altruistic in nature, he often employed club members who were out of work. It was such sites as BP Baglan, Pembroke Oil Refinery and Port Talbot Steelworks whilst working with fellow jacks and valley boys, that he honed his sense of humour, witticism, one liners and jolly japes (who was caught out by the “Gulp”).
He would have been married to Debra for fifty years this June. Our thoughts and prayers are with Debra, son Anthony, daughter Emma, grand-daughter Hollie and grandsons Alex and Lewi.
Whilst it feels like the passing of an era, he has left a legacy. Anthony played junior rugby at Dunvant and went on to both captain and coach the club, something he was always immensely proud of. Alex and Lewi now play in the junior section and Hollie works occasionally behind the bar. Their contribution to the club has been exemplary over the years.
If he is looking down on Broadacre, he would surely be proud of the work and running of the club by the next generation of committee, players and members, together with the continued contribution his own family are making to it.
RIP Pipes
Martin Lewis
Paul joined the club at the age of twenty-two, and quickly became an established prop forward in the senior side. He was a popular character and grand master of the “wind up” and practical jokes. During the early eighties, Dunvant began their meteoritic rise through the uncompromising West Wales leagues. Player recruitment and retention during this period was critical with a succession of players from the thirds, seconds and the youth, all playing for the senior side in the same season and Paul was one such player.
Fortunately, the club was further bolstered by the arrival of some of Pipes’ Sketty Park mates, namely Chris George (Georgie), Rob Francis, Rob Jones, Mac “The Knife” and Les “The Shirt”. Collectively they added much needed strength in depth and a bit of steel to the cause.
Pipes worked in the construction industry, initially as a scaffolder, then supervisor and eventually as a boss of around sixty employees whilst running his own business. Altruistic in nature, he often employed club members who were out of work. It was such sites as BP Baglan, Pembroke Oil Refinery and Port Talbot Steelworks whilst working with fellow jacks and valley boys, that he honed his sense of humour, witticism, one liners and jolly japes (who was caught out by the “Gulp”).
He would have been married to Debra for fifty years this June. Our thoughts and prayers are with Debra, son Anthony, daughter Emma, grand-daughter Hollie and grandsons Alex and Lewi.
Whilst it feels like the passing of an era, he has left a legacy. Anthony played junior rugby at Dunvant and went on to both captain and coach the club, something he was always immensely proud of. Alex and Lewi now play in the junior section and Hollie works occasionally behind the bar. Their contribution to the club has been exemplary over the years.
If he is looking down on Broadacre, he would surely be proud of the work and running of the club by the next generation of committee, players and members, together with the continued contribution his own family are making to it.
RIP Pipes
Martin Lewis
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