The death of Martyn Rees, after his long battle with cancer, has cast a shadow over the sporting community of Pembrokeshire, especially in the rugby and cricket circles that he graced with Neyland for over two decades.
Martyn, who worked as a prosecutor for Natural Resources Wales, was renowned for his friendly manner and his great integrity, which meant people looked up to him. It was particularly so in the long time that he served as touch judge with Neyland RFC and never flinched from making a decision, even if it was against his colleagues.
Popularly known to many as ‘Ceefax’, for his amazing memory regarding sporting events, and general knowledge, which made him a star performer in the local quiz leagues and a sought-after member of any team in sports quizzes.
He was also hugely thought of for the facts and attention to detail when providing match reports in rugby and cricket, where he was of immense help to me – goodness knows how I’ll manage without him!.
John Laugharne, who has been Hon Secretary at Neyland RFC for many years said,
“He was a wonderful servant to our club and was my assistant secretary for over 20 years. Everything was done to perfection, like the match-day programmes, which were always complimented by opposing teams.
“But more importantly, he was respected by everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, and had a calming influence in heated debates, as well as carefully thinking a way forward that served us so well.
“Without trying to do it he became the voice of our club and we will miss him in so many ways.”
Gregg Miller, the Neyland CC captain, added,
“On a personal note I have lost a great friend and so many others in our town will say the same thing.
“Martyn always had time for everyone and it is not only in Neyland that he will be missed – every club in the county would have something good to say about him, such was the regard in which he was held.
“If a job had to be done well then we used to say, “Give it to Martyn”, because he was such a thorough organiser – and without any fuss being made it was done!
It was a sentiment echoed by Neyland RFC captain Chris Busby, who said Martyn had been a ‘true friend’.
“He was a real club man and so loyal to us through good and bad times. He was a shining light in our club and I think a lot of people respected us more, simply because we had Martyn on board.
Chris and teammate Mark Hamer visited Martin on Saturday morning, and fittingly, the All Blacks proceeded to beat St Clears 20-15 later that afternoon.
“Despite his condition, he was more interested in our team selection and our chances of winning against St Clears, and said he hoped to make the Llangwm match a week later.
“That was the measure of the man.”
On a personal note I regarded Martyn Rees as a trusted, loyal and charming man whom I was proud to call a friend. We spoke every Saturday evening, winter and summer, and after giving me Neyland’s scores wanted to know others from across the county.
As well as his Neyland involvement he was also proud of his sporting roots at Rosemarket, where he once told me he was 12th man for Rosie in a Harrison-Allen Bowl Final.
I was one of several to persuade him to take on the role of assistant secretary of the Pembroke County Cricket Club, a job he took on for four years and did so well.
But above all else I will miss that talent he had for making you feel important so you always left even the smallest chat feeling that little bit better somehow.
His passing leaves the Pembrokeshire Sporting fraternity a little less of a positive place because we can ill-afford to lose such a gentleman of sport at such an early age.