Wanderers mourn loss of one of their best

Paul Pricket Captain of the Wanderers during its successful period in the 80s paid tribute to Owin Williams whose death was announced today.

The loss of Owain Williams will be sorely felt by all in the Wanderers who had the privilege of knowing him. His quality as a player and a man marked him out as a future international from the start. It is no coincidence that his time with us in the mid 1980’s represented a high point in the history of the Club culminating in the runners up slot in the Welsh Merit Table. He was almost ever present and always outstanding during a period which also included a match against the touring USA Eagles. Indeed his performance against the Eagles prompted a number of the touring party to ask members of the WRU committee in attendance at the game; “who was this number 8 and why wasn’t he included in the Welsh squad.”  

This question had often been posed during his four seasons with the Club. The evidence of his quality was further emphasised when he was given the opportunity to demonstrate his skills playing for Queensland against New Zealand and England. He went on to gain recognition with Wales but perhaps not to the extent that his abilities deserved.

Lately it was an enormous pleasure for the Club to welcome Qwain back in a different capacity, that of a proud father watching his sons playing. We took it as a mark of the affection he had for the Wanderers that he should encourage them to join us. As usual he was very laid back and relaxed in his demeanour, but that hid a fierce determination that they should be allowed to reach the level they desire and deserve to reach.

His presence in the Club will continue to be felt whenever the talk turns to the finest players ever to represent the Wanderers. He was most certainly one such player.

(photo courtesy of Getty Images)