News

Tributes to pioneer Ray Williams

Published

11 years ago

November 27, 2014

Tom Sinclair

All together: Ray’s family were at the ceremony.

WALES’ 1970s rugby legends flocked to honour the genius that was behind everything they achieved on the world stage. Ray Williams received the International Rugby Board’s highest honour, the Vernon Pugh Award, for Distinguished Service this week. Mr Williams, 87, was the leading global coaching guru of his generation – the first paid official when he was appointed National Coaching Organiser by the Welsh Rugby Union in 1967. He is credited with revolutionising rugby coaching. Overseas nations flocked to his clinics.

He helped Carwyn James shape the victorious Lions in New Zealand in 1971 and was the backroom dynamo who engineered Wales’ success in the 70s. He also invented mini rugby. The sepcial reception was led by 1970s British Lion and Wales wing, Gerald Davies at Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli. He said: “Ray did nothing less than to cause a revolution in the game.” “It was the bringing together of coaching ideas and physical preperation in a way that had never been done before and the world came to Wales for his coaching courses and to listen to what Ray Williams had to say.”

“He was a major influence. His aim was to achieve the highest possible levels of skills. Excellence was his theme. And the systems he created here in Wales were replicated all over the world”. Ray, who also became a leading administrator said: “I receive this award with great pride,” and thanked the IRB. The ceremony saw guests such as many of the greats of the 1970’s era golden Grand Slam – Barry John, JPR Williams, John Taylor, Tony Faulkner, and Phil Bennett – as well as former Welsh coaches Clive Rowlands, John Dawes and Gareth Jenkins.

Taylor said: “Most modern players will not know the name of Ray Williams but all those making an excellent living from the game should be eternally grateful to him because he was the man who started the process that would eventually lead to the game becoming professional. Those who hate professionalism will still be cursing him but he can look back with great pride knowing he played a major part in shaping the game as we know it today”.

Mr Williams, who lives in Haverfordwest, went on to become the WRU centenary officer in 1980 before succeeding Bill Clement as WRU secretary. He later became director of the Rugby World Cup and was awarded an OBE for services to the sport. He was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife, Meg; daughters, Judith and Helen; grandchildren and other family members including his son-in-law, ex-Llanelli, Wales and British Lions centre, Peter Morgan. His family are very proud of his success. His grandaughter posted on Facebook: “Not many can say their own Granpa has been awarded an OBE along with the Vernon Pugh award for his services to world Rugby.” “Couldn’t possibly be any prouder of your achievements, we are all so fortunate to have you as ours. We all love you to bits Gigi.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

20 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

42 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

48 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.