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29 July 2018 / Club News

Our Viv, local rugby legend and gentleman sadly dies aged 86


A packed out Coychurch Crematorium in Bridgend last week saw family and friends unite to pay their respects to a true local rugby legend and gentleman that was Vivian Griffiths, who sadly passed away after a short illness.

An equally packed out Llantwit Major Rugby club then hosted a reception where stories, anecdotes and memories were recalled about our Viv who undoubtedly helped shape and form the club to which it thrives today.
Viv’s first accomplishments in sport though were with the round ball as he was an accomplished soccer player and was scouted by professional teams including Bristol who attempted to sign him when they met him at Cardiff Railway station; only for his brother Glyn acting as adviser to decline the offer. The reason being ,which in today’s lofty pay terms would be unbelievable, was that the pay would not be enough and Viv was told by Glyn he needed to get a proper job!
Viv was one of seven brothers from the local and well known Griffiths family who came from farming stock in Gileston and at one time were remembered for running the old Cross Keys pub where they all lived in the tiny premises above.
Viv carried out his National Service with the Royal Artillery and was stationed in West Germany during the height of the Cold War it was here that he showed early skill in the understanding of angles and trajectory as he become a spotter for artillery positioning which he later homed as a civilian draughtsman. It was during his service that he literally grew up as he gained so much muscle weight from the thin and light recruit, that his own brother Jim failed to recognise him when their service paths crossed in Berlin.
On being demobbed from the service Viv was being cajoled into staying on by the authorities but was advised by another Llantwit lad Gilbert Lewis with less service than him, to get out as soon as and go home. Only for Gilbert to not follow his own advice and end up in the trenches in Korea!
Back home Viv had now started playing rugby and his life-long love of the game of rugby football commenced. The Club’s base in those days being at The Old Swan pub.
Playing centre or wing three-quarter for Llantwit Major RFC, he was fast and became a prolific scorer. During the 1955-56 season, the almost ‘Invincible’ Llantwit team as it became known, under Captain George Bird, played 34, Won 28, Drawn 5 , Lost 1, Points for 369, Points Against 27.
Vivian was top try scorer with 13 tries totalling 39 points. A great achievement for any rugby player but he followed this up again in the next Season 1956-57 scoring 11 tries and 10 tries again in the 1957-8 season. 34 tries in three seasons, not a bad record for anyone.
Viv was by those who saw him play was very quick and always fit, not surprisingly as apparently he was for ever running out of petrol in his car, and once even pushed his car all the way from Pentre Meyrick Cross to Llantwit!
He captained Llantwit twice and went onto play first class rugby with spells for Bridgend, Pontypridd, Abertillery and Glamorgan Wanderers. But his love for Llantwit Major soon saw his return and was an integral part of the team that won the prestigious Glamorgan Silver Ball Trophy, two consecutive years running. 1963 -64 and 1964-65. 
Although he missed each final having been cruelly injured in each of the semi finals. The one injury being a nasty broken leg which took him a long time to recover from but his steely determination got him back playing again. But there was some joy from the injury as the nurse he met when being treated at hospital was Annette, who he later married.
Viv was also part of the successful Llantwit Major Sevens team, which won the Bridgend ‘Open Invitation Sevens’ in 1960-61. He played in the final at The Brewery Field, against Cardiff Technical College, even with a cracked collar bone. The team then went on and were twice winners of the Lydney Champion Sevens in 1961 and 62.
Away from the field Viv had now forged a career as a draughtsman working for many years at the famous Curran Engineering Company in Cardiff where he would often tell you he met a young Shirley Bassey before her singing career took off. Viv also worked for 17yrs at local engineering firm Ledleys at Llandow where he was renowned for his attention to detail and reliability.
Viv was very proud of the fact, that he was part of a group of members and players that physically built the foundations of the present clubhouse, meeting every Sunday to carry out the labour. Viv’s susceptibility to injury did not end on the field it would seam though as he also broke his arm in the building work, with Rob (rubber duck) Davies the culprit of the poor pass in throwing a boulder to him!
As can be seen Viv had many stories to tell. He loved talking to the younger rugby boys coming though the Club, about, what it was like winning the Silver Ball and how they might like to succeed at the higher standard of rugby.
And it was to the youth Viv turned his attention to on retiring from playing. As bizarrely at this time towns youth rugby team were not part of the senior set up and played as St Illtyd’s youth, based in the Kings Head pub. But under Viv’s guidance they came under the umbrella of the club and joined the seniors in the clubhouse. However the youth were still given little assistance from the the club and told if you want the youth team here, you do it on your own. This he did for six years with great enthusiasm ably assisted by Norman (Oscar) Jones and Bill Norman as committee men, but all the rugby duties Viv did by himself.
His first Youth Captain was Dennis Gore and one of the Youth boys, Martin (Donkey) George gained a full Welsh Youth cap in 1977. This was a fine accolade for Llantwit Major Town and Viv supported Martin all the way on this wonderful achievement.
Whenever Supper Club events or Rugby re-unions were held in the Rugby Club, Viv was one of the first to put his name down for a ticket. Always supporting and showing interest in the Youth rugby teams, as well as the senior sides. He was a former Captain, Committee member, and our oldest living Life Member, this accolade given to him in 1989, the Club’s Centenary Season.
Our Viv could have a fiery temper at times but only because his love for the club was so passionate and who will ever forget in recent times his voice regularly booming across the players bar requesting someone to move as they were blocking his view of a game on the television.
Vivian’s fondness of Llantwit Major was immense, and he also had a great interest, not only in rugby, but the history of the Llantwit Major Town. He often was relating stories from years ago about many characters of the past, talking about the old buildings of Llantwit Major and the beach. Particularly, how the road to the beach was paid for by the local Parishioners, Farmers and Gentry. If the farmers couldn’t give money, they contributed with labour.
Viv was beaming with pride when the Llantwit team of 2014-15, reached the final of the WRU Bowl Cup and played at the Millennium stadium. Often commenting what was a wonderful celebration event for everyone, the old and young members of the club.
Behind all this love for rugby, he was a great family man to Annette, David, the late Kate and his grandchildren. Coincidently, his house overlooked the Recreation rugby field.
It is a sad time for Llantwit Major Rugby Club, when they lose a lifelong supporter, character and a great personality who has contributed so much to us. He will be sadly missed by former player, members and committee alike.
Our sincerest condolences go to his wife Annette, their son David and the rest of the family.
Thanks Vivian for your contribution, support and memories, from all, at your beloved Llantwit Major Rugby club. Farewell to a loyal servant.
A Supper Club has been arranged and now will be held in Viv’s honour at the Clubhouse on Friday 17th of August at 7pm, with Bridgend and British Lion John Devereux the guest. To book a place please contact John Davies on 07746 750727
    
Thanks for this article go to historian Will Norman and long serving members and friends of Viv; John Davies, John O’Brien, Ritchie John, Robin Jones, Rob Davies, Brian Jones and John Winslade.

A.H.

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