RIP Gordon Pritchard & David Hussey

It is with great sadness that Pontypool RFC has learned of the passing of former coach Gordon Pritchard and former player David 'Dai' Hussey.

Dai played on the wing and scored a then post-war club record 37 tries in a season (1980-81 – his first season with the club). He made a total of 86 appearances over four seasons and scored 55 tries. A former Welsh Youth international, Dai made many appearances for Monmouthshire County. He also played for Caldicot, Newbridge and Ebbw Vale and, after his playing days, coached Newbridge and Caldicot.

Gordon played rugby union for Cardiff and Newport before embarking on a rugby league career with clubs such as Leeds, Bradford Northern, Barrow, Huddersfield, Eastern Suburbs (Canterbury, New Zealand), and Cardiff (Bridgend) Blue Dragons. He also represented Wales.

He returned to rugby union and coached Pontypool in the 1989-90 season – the last season before the introduction of organised leagues. Pontypool finished that season in third place in both the Welsh Unofficial Clubs’ Championship and Welsh Merit Table, behind Neath (winners of both tables) and Llanelli. Pontypool’s record that season was: matches played 49, won 35, drawn 2. Lost 12, points for 1372 (including 231 tries), points against 618. He then went on to coach Tondu, Caerphilly (where he was Director of Rugby), Senghenydd and Machen.

Everyone at Pontypool RFC send their deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dai and Gordon at this difficult time.