A dark cloud has hung over St Davids RFC this Christmas following news of the death of club stalwart John James. 
 
The 81-year-old served his beloved club as a player, coach, team manager, touch judge, and in a variety of committee roles, and had continued to dedicate himself to the first team on match days, gathering up the kit after every game and taking it away to be washed and sorted out.
 
His dignified manner made him a popular figure around the county. John was one of the last of his generation, a man who would run the line completely fairly, irrespective if some of his calls upset his own players. His mantra of “if you’re in touch you’re in touch” was a refreshing one, and would win him praise from referees and opposition players.
 
Club events were treated with respect. John would always be there in a club blazer, club shirt, and club tie. He would dress as he would conduct himself - like a gentleman.
 
And despite his immense contribution, he had no interest in the limelight or receiving praise. John was never a man driven by ego or who reacted to being asked to do things, be acted simply out of duty for the club he loved.
 
His playing career however, often went underrated by the generations that came after him. One man who could appreciate his on-field contribution was current team manager Jack Dudley, who played alongside him when he first broke through at senior level. 
 
“When I first started playing, he was great mentor to me and many others,” said Jack. “I think he first played for the senior team when he was 13, which would be unheard of these days, and his last game was 55 when we were up in Llanybydder. We were short of a player and he got his boots on, he always had them because he ran the line, and he played on the wing.
 
“That summed him up. He would never see us go short or let us down.”
 
However, he wasn’t the same mild-mannered figure when his kit was on. “Everyone thought he was a gentleman of a player but opposition knew they’d get a tough time from John James,” continued Jack.
 
“He had a very angelic face, referees thought he was the good guy, but he knew how to wind up the opposition. He was a real nuisance of a prop but technically very, very good.”
 
Summing up his club contribution, Jack added: “He just gave so much and he didn’t want glory and fuss. You never had to ask him to do anything.”
 
John’s son Carwyn, and grandsons Tom and Ollie, have also gone on to represent the club, and he will leave a legacy that few others will ever be able to match. At the time of his death, he served as the official club patron and St Davids RFC trying to find someone to match his club contribution would be futile.
 
He was one of few, who can genuinely be considered irreplaceable. 
 
*On a personal note, PembrokeshireSport.co.uk would like to fully endorse the warm-hearted comments from Fraser and Big Jack. John really was a true gentleman of sport and a wonderful clubman. In years gone by he was the Saint’s reporter on games that day and they were always balanced – if they were good he said so but wasn’t afraid to use the word ‘rubbish’ if it needed to be said!
 
I have counted John James as a very good friend and I will miss him whenever I visit the club because he really was ‘Mr St Davids’,  although he would hate me to say that! Rest in Peace John bach!
 
John’s funeral will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, January 7, 11am at St Davids Cathedral. Club members are asked to wear club colours, or club ties and blazers in honour of his memory