Neath RFC is saddened to hear that one of its oldest players former wing forward Bill Brennan has passed away.

Bill Brennan played for Neath in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s when the Club boasted a very formidable pack indeed and which included three British Lions in Rees Stephens, Roy John and Courtenay Meredith – a trio who were all in the pack the last time Wales defeated New Zealand in 1953.

Neath secretary Mike Price said, “The Brennan family has a long link with the Neath club, going back to Jack Brennan who was outside-half when Neath won their first Welsh championship in 1909/10.

“Back then and when Bill arrived on the scene, certain qualities were needed to be a member of the Neath pack and Bill obviously possessed them in abundance as he established a regular place in the side as a back row forward whose skills were such that he would occasionally be taken out of the pack to centre to cover injuries.

“He also represented the Army and Saracens and was a real character in a Neath side of many talents.

“Bill was a member of the Neath Former Players and attended all their functions until fairly recently. He was a very fit man and, even in his late Eighties, he would regularly walk from his home in Crynant to Neath.

The Club will honour his memory with a minute’s silence before their next home game on Saturday, April 8th against Cross Keys – a side against whom Bill scored one of his many Neath tries in a 16-nil win in 1952 !