Sporting Tribute:

 
 
Last week saw the funeral of John Laugharne, who had won the ‘Unsung Hero’ award at the Sport Pembrokeshire Awards evening of 2024 at Folly Farm and the warmth of recognition paid tribute to the 71 years of faithful service he had given to sport in Neyland, with regard to their rugby and cricket clubs, writes Bill Carne.
 
In his mid-80s, John  had been a player, official, referee and coach with the All Blacks and almost right up to the time he passed away had still gone along from his nearby home in John Street to cheer them on – and he was already looking to continue his long service as first-team scorer in the adjoining field with the cricket first XI; a job he had done for many years.
 
John had travelled with the team across Wales and England with their very successful indoor league team, including visits to Lords when they went as Welsh Champions, and having beaten several English zone champs, to compete in the finals.
 
A number of these times in the competition involved a 6am start from Neyland and a late arrival home but he rarely missed one as he sat in the front seat of the mini-bus with Martin Jones and skipper Sean Hannon knew he had a scorer he could count on.
 
He also scored in many local finals of the Harrison-Allen Bowl and DR Morris Cups – and one of proudest days with the scorebook came when his grandson Sam Laugharne led the third team to victory in the Ken Morris Cup and he did the job there.
 
He had been a very good player in an outstanding Neyland team, took up the umpire’s role for a while and then found his niche in the scorebox, where he was popular with players from around the county.
 
It was a similar story in the rugby, where he played as a flanker at youth for Pembrokeshire and then in a very strong All Black’s team, took up refereeing and was involved in a match at the National Stadium – and was club secretary for an amazing 41 years and president in recognition of his contribution.
 
Our thoughts go out to his lovely wife Jen, son Martin and his wife Gail, who has been an amazing help since John’s passing, plus grandchildren Libby and Sam, alongside his partner Chloe. Also in attendance was John’s sister Susan and husband Norman, who live in Sunderland.
 
Rest in Peace, John
Bill Carne & Gordon Thomas
 
 
 
Andrew Smith  (Neyland Cricket Club President and Neighbour)
 
My first recollection of John was as a 10-year-old when I saw him playing cricket for Neyland with my uncle Bill Lloyd at Burton. My lasting memory was how hard he could hit a ball. Eight years later I started playing for Neyland and was lucky to be able to play alongside John for some years, both in the first team and when he became captain of our seconds. I saw again at close quarters how hard he hit a ball. 
 
As John gave up playing cricket, he joined Milford Haven Golf Club and again I had the opportunity to play the odd round with him. I must say he tried to hit a golf ball as hard as he hit a cricket ball. John was an all-round good sportsman and eventually spent a year as MHGC seniors' captain. 
 
I have spent many an evening with John at Neyland Cricket and Athletic Club meetings, and although a quietly spoken man he was always able to put across his point. I would like to know how many meetings John attended over his many years contributing to Neyland's sporting bodies.  
 
John was a constant at rugby and cricket matches and up to last season was still meticulously scoring for Neyland firsts’ cricket and Pembrokeshire County Cricket teams.  
 
For the last 42 years I have lived opposite John and Jennifer and seen their family grow. I will miss seeing him walking up and down the street on a regular basis to call in on his son Martin and family, his car pulling away from the house on journeys to the chapel, hairdressers etc but most of all the short chats in the street which usually were about rugby or cricket.  
 
No amount of words can convey his contribution to Neyland sport over the decades but three simple words sum up John as a man “a consummate sportsman”.
 
 
 
Peter Davies (Neyland Cricket and Rugby Club friend)
 
John Laugharne contributed a great deal to both Neyland RFC and Neyland Cricket club for many years and will be greatly missed by not only us at Neyland but throughout Pembrokeshire where he was known and respected as a former player and great administrator.
 
John recently stood down as Secretary of Neyland RFC after forty years due to his health issues and having taken over from him I can see the hard work John had to do to keep the club ticking over.
 
Up to the last Cricket season John was the First Team scorer and very rarely missed a game and his commitment was typified in the season they reached the semi-final of the National Village Cup which included 5am starts on a Sunday morning to places in Staffordshire and Derbyshire although I don't think he was a great fan of my motorway driving and would often give me a quiet nudge when going too fast.
 
Our thoughts are with Jenny and the family at this sad time.
 
 
 
 
Neyland Cricket Club Tribute (Written by skipper Sean Hannon)
 
Neyland Cricket Club were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Life Member and long-standing first team scorer, John Laugharne. Our deepest condolences go to Jennifer, Martin, Gail, Sam, Libby and family at this very sad time. As well as being a stalwart of Neyland RFC, John had been involved with Neyland Cricket Club for over 60 years - playing his part in the 1962, 1963 and 1971 Harrison-Allen Bowl victories whilst appearing in five losing finals, missing the 1967 final due to the birth of his son, Martin.
 
During his playing days, John was a very good middle order batter and fielder, representing Pembroke County Cricket Club at senior level. He also captained Neyland seconds between 1979 and 1982. After his playing days, and with the support of wife Jenny, he was an active committee member, also serving on the PCCC umpiring circuit and scoring for the County team for several seasons.
 
John was most recently the club scorer, officiating for any side within the club, but most notably for the first team in a successful 16-year stint. Some of his most memorable scoring moments include following the first team across the length and breadth of the UK during their run to the semi-finals of the 2021 National Village Cup, scoring the 2018 Cricket Wales Welsh Cup final at Sophia Gardens and also for our thirds in our only Ken Morris Cup win to date - joining captain and grandson, Sam, to lift the trophy in 2020.
 
John was an incredibly loyal servant to sport in Neyland, and he will be dearly missed by the cricketing fraternity and beyond. Rest in peace, John
 
Martin Jones (Chairman, Neyland CC)
 
John was a true gentleman admired by all who knew him.  A revered sportsman in his younger days for both Neyland CC and RFC - winner of 3 Harrison Allen Finals and a former County player. Former President and Life member of both clubs, a member of the Cricket club for over 60 years. Not only that he also found time to play golf for the famous Neyland Mafia and was a  deacon of Zion Presbyterian Church, before it closed. 
 
He was also held in high esteem by all in the town and by the Pembrokeshire County Cricket Club,  where in his latter days he scored the book. He scored for Neyland in the 2018 Welsh Cup final at Sophia Gardens and in all the rounds of the 2021 Village Cup run, including the semi-final and numerous Cup finals in Pembrokeshire. 
 
There have been tributes from all around the County including The President, Chairman, Secretary and former Chairman of Pembroke County Cricket Club for all his tireless work and dedication. 
 
Having said all that   first and foremost, John was a dedicated family man and loved nothing better than to be with Jennifer, Martin, Gail, Sam and Libby. He will be missed greatly by all and impossible to replace. 
 
 Rest In Peace John 
 
 
 
Owain Picton (Life Member, Neyland Cricket Club 7 Close Friend)
 
I have been a friend of John’s since the 1950’s, where I played Cricket, Golf and Rugby for over 60 years with him.
 
When playing he always gave a 100%  and was an excellent fielder who could change the fate of a match with his middle order batting.
 
We enjoyed many golfing trips to various parts of the country and abroad with the Neyland Golf Society where we had great fun on some very fine courses.
Condolences to Jenny and her close family.

RIP John, you will be sadly missed by the local sporting circles
 
 
 
Mark James (Long-serving Neyland RFC player)
 
John was a man whose heart was always with Neyland RFC. John was one of the clubs most dedicated and passionate supporters, and his presence was felt on and off the rugby field by everyone who knew him. John's love for rugby and his commitment to Neyland RFC were clear. He was a constant at the club, always there in all weathers, supporting the players and cheering on his team. John wasn't just a massive supporter, he was a pillar of Neyland RFC. In his role as secretary at the club, he worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the club ran smoothly. He cared deeply about the players, the coaches and the community of Neyland that made up the heart of the club. One of the things I will personally remember about John was his way of asking 'Did you get a card today?' after every match, a light hearted question that reflected his comical nature. As we remember John today, we do so with gratitude for the countless ways he made our club stronger and for the friendship and support he shared with us all. His presence will be sorely missed, but his spirit will always remain at the heart of Neyland RFC. Rest in peace John
 
 
 
Robert Johns (Neyland RFC Chairman)
 
John had been a member of Neyland RFC for over 70 years for over 70 years, firstly as a player and latterly as a secretary for 40 years.
He played in the 1957 second team in the Junior Union Cup, which they won – and was well thought of as a referee. As well as his involvement with rugby and cricket he was a faithful member and secretary of Zion Presbyterian Chapel in Neyland until its closure - and will be missed in the community as our sport.
 
 
 
Brendan Murphy  (Former work-mate and Bearer)
 
I first met John when I started at Dowty Seals in Milford in 1978, having completed my apprenticeship with Dowty in Cheltenham, we worked closely for many years with a great bunch of characters including Charlie Harries, Harry Turner and Arthur Vickers.
 
The rugby banter was great especially as John was also a Referee, in many ways he was years ahead of his time  as he had the  almost “TMO” ability to go back 20 phases of play to disallow a try especially if he was refereeing against Milford! He would then sport a huge grin knowing he had got one over me! I was quite glad he was refereeing as I wouldn’t have fancied playing against him in his prime. We hadn’t met up for a while and was looking forward to catching up again at the recent Milford v Neyland Cup match, however such was the size of the crowd  we missed each other.  Sadly,  shortly after, Johns’s son Martin let us know he was in failing health, and he passed away shortly after. He was a great character and a proud Neyland man who will be sorely missed.
 
 
 
 
Moving tribute read out at the Chapel of Rest service by The Rev Martyn Evans
 
John was the eldest of three children whose family home was 33 Charles Street. He attended primary school in Neyland before attending Milford Grammar School. While at school his sporting ability was recognised, playing both cricket and football for his school teams. He became a member of the Neyland cricket club when he was just 14.
 
 Following his schooling John went to work for the Railway at the Neyland terminus. When John and Jenny married they made their home in Pembroke Dock, John having gained employment with Hancock’s ship building company.
 
 In reality John and Jenny had known each other since their Sunday School Days They were married by Rev Alun Morgan in Zion some 60 years ago which in itself is a very good reason for being able to give thanks for long and devoted partnership.
 
 During 1968 John went to work at Dowty Seals in Thornton and he and Jenny moved back to their home town. John’s connection with sport is almost legendary he has played cricket for his home team on countless occasions and even represented the county in a match against a South African team. More recently his support has been greatly appreciated as a scorer and he followed his team wherever they were playing.
 
He has been connected with the rugby team for 70 years serving as club secretary for 40 years. John qualified as a referee and ran the touchline in our National Stadium and even travelled to Germany to the Rhine region for a match against a British Army team.
 
He was extremely proud to have been presented with an award as Pembrokeshire Sports ‘Unsung hero’ in an award ceremony at Folly Farm.
 
But above all this John remained a family man. Proud of his family especially proud when Sam excelled at cricket thus continuing the family tradition.
 
There is much to be grateful for in John’s life, for the enjoyment he gained through his sporting activities, for his quiet, unassuming personality, for the love that has been shared over many years and even for the manner of his passing which was as he lived, a quiet, gentle passing from this world into the next that thankfully did not involve prolonged suffering.
 
The community has lost one of its true gentlemen but it was richly blessed by his presence. Of greater importance is the loss to his family, his steady unimposing presence in the family home where he will be missed acutely.