News

Karl Davies 19/4/1951 - 12/1/2022

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the sad passing of former player Karl Davies. Many former players had the opportunity to play alongside Karl and he was certainly a larger than life character who will never be forgotten. Howard Evans, Life Member and good friend of Karl has kindly written a tribute as follows; 'Karl with a K' That's what he would say when he was meeting someone. Karl was a mobile prop forward, and able to pack down either side of the scrum and was also a very useful hooker. He played over 3 decades from the 60's 70's and 80's making over 300 appearances for the club and was a prolific try scorer topping the try scoring charts on a few occasions. Karl was also a member of the famous and successful Llanelli Steel rugby club in the 70's and 80's playing alongside the likes of Phil Bennett and Gareth Jenkins to name a few. He was well known and respected in West Wales rugby and further afield. At the end of his playing days Karl took over as Coach of the Youth XV before work commitments took him around the country and abroad. Karl returned to the club and became an active member of the junior committee before becoming Chairman, and then moved to the main committee holding the position of Vice Chairman. Karl was a good organiser and fundraiser, helping arrange tours such as the centenary tour to Spain in 1981, two tours to Holland and also the joint tour to America with the football club. He was also involved in the centenary run from Rugby School to Burry Port RFC and setting up the Christian Ford Memorial Fund and fundraising golf days. Karl was never happier than holding court in the clubhouse and telling stories of his many experiences in rugby and travel. He also loved a quiz, and setting questions to raise funds, and was a member of the successful club quiz team alongside Huw Phillips and Islwyn Williams. Rugby was not the only sport played by Karl and he kept wicket for Burry Port Cricket Club and was also a member of Ashburnham Golf Club. Karl was a very knowledgeable man and could strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone which helped him while he was landlord of the Pemberton Arms in the 90's. Being ex-Royal Navy he continued his knowledge of the sea by joining the Coastguard service and later the RNLI in Burry Port. But first and foremost he was a family man and extremely proud of his three children, Keith, Iwan and Megan to whom our deepest sympathies go out to, also his Mother Nancy. Karl it was a privilege to call you a team mate and a friend, and we will miss you greatly.