Much-loved Welsh rugby and Principality Stadium figure dies as players join tributes

Mike Gibbons was a stalwart servant of Taffs Well RFC for some 50 years and a familiar face at the Principality Stadium

Tributes have been pouring in to one of the great “unsung heroes” of Welsh rugby, who has passed away.

Mike Gibbons was a stalwart servant of Taffs Well RFC for some 50 years and was a familiar face at the Principality Stadium in his role as Director of Tours.

He also acted as baggage manager to the Wales U21s team for a number of years, providing valuable support to a succession of rising stars, and was involved with the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust.

Gibbons, who was 72, played second row for Taffs Well and went to act as coach, secretary and chairman of the club.

Long-serving secretary Jill Watkins knew him over many years and has paid a touching tribute.

“He was such a gentleman and so-well liked,” she said.

“You’ve only got to look at the reaction on social media to see just what people thought of him. He’s such a loss.

“Mike set a real model in our club for welcoming people.

“He was just so positive about everything. That’s what I loved about him.

“He made people enthusiastic about all the little things that go on at grassroots rugby.

“He was always a glass half-full person, always positive about everything we did in the club. You need people like that.

“He went to all the district meetings, he worked for the WRU in the stadium, so he knew people.

“We hosted a lot of quite high profile games at Taffs Well, including Welsh women’s internationals, and a lot of that was down to Mike’s relationships with people and developing that networking. That’s what he was so good at.”

Outlining his devotion to the club, Watkins added: “On a Friday night, he used to put all the jerseys and the drinks out for the boys.

“That was his thing, that was his pleasure. He guarded that role like a passion.

“That was the love he had for the club. This was the grassroots rugby man he was.

“He organised our club dinner. That was a big thing for him.

“And, years ago, when we played in north Wales, we used to have all these memorable trips and he used to always organise a stop off at this place called the Lazy Trout somewhere in mid-Wales.

“He was just a wonderful person, a good friend and he will be sorely missed.”

Gareth Rees, who took over as Taffs Well chairman when Gibbons stood down last year, added his thoughts.

“Community rugby clubs play an incredibly important role in Wales, not just in providing people with opportunities to play the game but also their activity in the wider community,” he said.

“And those clubs are only able to play that role through the efforts and dedication of people like Mike Gibbons.

“He fulfilled just about every role you possibly could within the club.

“He is the sort of unsung hero that makes the delivery of what community rugby clubs do deliver possible.

“He was involved in just about every aspect of the club’s activities, on and off the field. He was the life and soul of the club.

“Without people like Mike, community rugby clubs simple couldn’t exist and wouldn’t be able to deliver the valuable things they do.”

The WRU’s Head of Participation, Geraint John, knew Gibbons well from his time with the U21s, his involvement in the community game and his work at the stadium.

“Mike was manager of the tours operation at the stadium and he was always there in entrance halls, always greeting people,” he said.

“He was a welcoming face, with that smile of his, and he seemed to know everyone. You need that when people come into the stadium. He would always talk to people.

“He took a really important role in the Charitable Trust as well and was always there when former players arrived at the stadium.

“When you look at the number of people that have acknowledged him on social media, it shows he was just a very well-liked person.

“He was hard-working, he was committed, but he was also a friendly, loyal and generous person.

“Then you look at what he did at Taffs Well over 50-odd years. He did everything there.

“He was a liasion officer as well with touring teams for the Union.

“He was your archetypal volunteer supporter of Welsh rugby both at the community and top level.

“He was always doing things. I used to say to him ‘How do you have the time Mike to do all this?’

“He was so dedicated and did it with the right attitude. He was just a really good, honest, genuine bloke who loved rugby.”

BBC Radio Wales commentator Phil Steele, who has close connections with Taffs Well RFC, added his own tribute.

“Mike was a wonderful servant of club rugby in his role as chairman and secretary of his beloved Taffs Well RFC,” he said.

“He was also a wonderful ambassador for Wales and for rugby in his role as Director of Tours at Principality Stadium, during which he greeted many visitors from all over the world with his customary warmth, humour and pride in his country and his sport.

“It was a privilege to have known him.”

There have been countless messages of condolences posted on social media from people within the game.

Former Wales centre Tom Shanklin commented: “Such a lovely man. I used to love chatting to him around the stadium. Will be hugely missed.”

Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips said: “Very, very sad to see this. Such a nice guy. Thoughts go out to all the family.”

Fellow Welsh international Lee Jarvis added: “So sad to hear of Mike’s passing. He was a lovely, lovely man and always had time for everyone. My thoughts are with his family.”

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Former Wales U21s coach Chris Davey said: “Very sad to hear this. I worked with Mike as part of the U21 set-up. A great guy who was liked by everyone. Sincere condolences to his family at this time.”

Ex-Wales prop Duncan Jones added: “Thoughts with all his family. A really good man. First got to spend some time with him with the U21s.”

A number of rugby clubs have also posted tributes to Gibbons, who gave so much to the game he loved.