Long-standing Neath supporters will be sorry to learn of the death of former Aberavon and Wales second row Billy Mainwaring after a lengthy illness.

Billy Mainwaring did not play for Neath but he graced The Gnoll so many times during a distinguished career that he was immediately recognisable to all Neath followers who, apart from appreciating his play, relished the vocal encouragement he enjoyed from the stands from his mother who was equally as popular..

Billy did, however, appear in combined Neath-Aberavon sides against Australia (1966) as a No.8, South Africa (1969) when he captained the team from the second row and against New Zealand (1973).

The Neath club’s sympathies go to Billy’s family and to Aberavon RFC on the passing of a highly-respected character.