Sporting stars coming to Pembrokeshire - Feature No 10

 

Late Welsh rugby legend ‘JJ’ visited Haverfordwest

 

There was an air of sadness in Welsh Rugby and far beyond at the news that the legendary JJ Williams had passed away but we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk had been lucky  a while ago to meet up with him when he came to Marley Davies’s ‘Victoria Book Shop’ in Haverfordwest to sign copies of his book, entitled ‘JJ – The Life and Times of a Rugby Legend’.
 
He was great to talk to in his matter-of-fact way, not afraid to comment on what was right and wrong about the game in Wales, and able to make some interesting comments about a range of other matters regarding the oval-ball game.
 

Known to all as ‘JJ’

 
He was born Jonathan James Williams but nicknamed ‘JJ’ to differentiate him from the equally renowned full back in the same Welsh team, John Peter Rhys Williams, who was known as ‘JPR’!
 
They were both part of that famous Welsh team of the 1970s that played amazing rugby and topped the podium in the Northern Hemisphere as they played alongside other ‘greats’ like Gerald Davies, Steve Feneck, Gareth Edwards and Barry John, plus Delme Thomas, Mervyn Davies and the Pontypool front row amongst the forwards.
 

JJ was an ace try scorer

 
JJ’s speed earned him five tries for the British Lions in only seven tests, with four wins and a draw as a result, plus 12 tries for Wales in 31 full internationals, alongside 16 tries in as many games of non-test stature for his country.
 
Throw in the fact that he was a regular Barbarian, scored many tries for Bridgend and then Llanelli, was a sprinter of international standard in the 100 metres, was twice close to being banned by the WRU in a quest for professional rugby – and it certainly is a book that was ideal as a Christmas present for anyone who loved the oval ball game.
 

A pleasure to meet and chat with him

 
His popularity was shown by the large number of people, of both sexes and across the age range, who patiently queued for a book and every one was treated with typical charm and interest about who the book was for, as he signed them all in a smashing way.
 
Prior to the signing, I joined him and Marley for the smashing cup of coffee and biscuits supplied to all book signees and both Mr D. and I were very impressed by how modest and unassuming JJ was, but what strong views he held about all things relating to Welsh Rugby – and chatted to us for a while until the message came up that he had a long queue waiting for him!
 
It was a special afternoon, where even the incessant rain didn’t keep away the large numbers of rugby fans who turned up to buy a great Christmas present for themselves or a member of their family!
 
I count myself very lucky to have met such a giant of our game and mourned his passing, as did all rugby-loving people across our county!