Narberth Sporting Tributes – Part Three:

 
Today we publish our final tribute of three sporting characters in the town in David Gibbs and it is on a par in terms of sporting contributions with Gary Hughes and Rob ‘Basher’ Lewis.
 

 
A short while ago Narberth sport in general and the county in particular, lost one of its most respected sporting characters with the passing away of David Gibbs, who readily admitted to me on several occasions that he wasn’t the best player of cricket or rugby – but my word he played a significant role in both for many years, writes Bill Carne.
 
I first met David Gibbs when he was walking around the ground at Cresselly and he introduced himself, telling me he loved cricket and would be happy to provide me with details of games at Kilgetty, Cresselly and Carew – and it was the start of a long friendship where I teased him about being the ‘doyen’ of cricket reporters – but only because he was older than me!
 
Then he started helping David Morgan in the Telegraph and blossomed into a very good amateur sports reporter (like me). He first brought in the idea of printing the team sheets of games in cricket, and rugby when he got involved in Narberth RFC (which I shamelessly copied!)
 
There’s one thing for certain and that is the fact that he was held in huge regard by cricketers across the county because of the mutual respect he showed them – and I can honestly say that I never heard a single word of criticism about his writing.
 
He had attended Neath Boys Grammar and loved his sport from those early days, playing cricket for Dyffryn (near Bryncoch), Cwmbran and Llanyrafon, when his work as a solicitor took him to new places – and finally with Kilgetty.
 
He was an avid Glamorgan CC fan and long-time member who also attended Test matches on a regular basis, as well as supporting Swansea City and, of course Neath RFC, after being in school with their late ‘legend’ of playing and coaching in Brian Thomas.
 
I have a number of taped recordings of David when I worked in local radio and all of them show his calm, measured tones – but he never shirked a question, which I liked.
 
In his later years he loved supporting son Hywel and grandson Callen in their cricket at Lamphey, as he has with regard to daughter Lisa and her musical accomplishments.
 
I also have photographs and I include my favourite, which is of us two old-timers pretending to be ace reporters. It has sat on a book case in my little office at home after it was taken at a cricket match – and will remain there until I shuffle off this world because I cherish those memories it evokes.
 
I have also given a copy to Hywel and my heart goes out to Margaret, a lovely lady, and their family. Rest in in peace, David, a doyen amongst sports reporters!




 
 

Narberth RFC pays tribute to a former official

 
Narberth RFC lost a very ardent supporter and helper when David Gibbs, of Templeton, sadly passed away, writes Freeman Brawn.
 
David came to the county from the Neath area and was a solicitor by profession who became the Chief Prosecutor for Welsh Water.
 
He became the club’s Sponsorship and Press Officer in the early 1990s, when we first joined the Heineken League. I clearly remember that one of first contacts was ‘Sportsmen in Business’ who had a sign on the touchline.
 
The other big sponsor he obtained in 1993 was HNO Hughes and Associates, who have supported the club annually ever since. There were, of course, many others because David knew how important sponsorship was to an ambitious club.
 
As mentioned previously, he was the club’s Press Officer until ill health prevented him from carrying out his duties – and he was a well-known and respected figure with all the clubs we have played against during the past 30 years and, in addition, reported on Pembrokeshire Cricket for local newspapers in the Summer months.
 
His failing health did not prevent him attending games and enjoying himself in the clubhouse and the thoughts of everyone at Narberth RFC are with his wife, Margaret, and children, Lisa and Hywel.