Swansea RFC were saddened to hear of the recent passing of former All White Harry Richards.
Harry Richards born and lived in Belgrave Road, Loughor just a few houses up from the Loughor Rugby Club, who he played for. He was educated at St Michael’s private school, Dafen and Gowerton Grammar School, for whom he was playing when he won his Welsh Secondary Schools cap. In his family and beyond Harry was notoriously “untidy, disorganised and unpractical”. This resulted in him being given a desk job with the wages office while working in the coal pits, following an ‘unlucky’ coal pit accident trying to stop a runaway coal cart by grabbing the steel cable. The injury left lifelong scars on his hand. But it did not prevent Harry from playing rugby.
Harry Richards made his Swansea first fifteen debut at the start of the 1951-52 season against Ystalyfera on 1st September at Ynysdarren Park. Playing alongside Brian Edwards at centre, Harry scored a try in the 20 – 12 win. His centre partnership with Edwards gained approval in the Western Mail as Swansea narrowly lost away to Cardiff. Richards and Edwards effectively stopped Bleddyn Williams breaking through to the extent that he was reduced to chipping over to gain ground for Cardiff. Richards scored his second try for Swansea in this match, picking up the loose ball and going over after Clem Thomas and Dil Johnson had dribbled up-field.
Harry made further appearances alongside Edwards in October and also alongside Ralph Palmer and scrum-half Roy Sutton (normally a scrum-half). But as different combinations allowed Edwards to remain, Richards lost out to Louis Gazza and Llew John. Harry made his final appearance for Swansea in a 20 – 9 away win at Bynea when he turned out at fly-half alongside Bernard Cajot, who would spend many years as part of the club’s support crew.
Harry then played for the Pontarddulais club and for Llanelli (1948-59) until, moving to Cardigan to work for the Silcox agricultural food company, He turned out for Cardigan RFC. His regular position was at outside-half at this time, though he still turned out at centre when required. As work brought the family back to Swansea he later played for the Dunvant club for some time and eventually made the transition to refereeing. In his first officiating role at the Dunvant club Harry reminded the players to call him “Ref” and not “Harry” as they took on Tonna RFC!
Many at Swansea RFC would recall Harry better in his role of referee, as he officiated at many schools matches featuring young players who would go on to play for Swansea. Former Swansea Athletic player Neil Jones (NAJ) recalled “Harry was a lovely guy. He would shout at you on the field and next minute he would have a smirk on his face or he would wink at you. Great times. He will be missed and I have nice memories of a great guy.” Former All White centre Gareth Jenkins added: “As a well-known referee on the Schools rugby scene, Harry was a great character. He refereed us in our school days at Bishop Gore and is fondly remembered me myself and other former players.”
In later life Harry and his wife lived in Loughor and then Killay, where he passed away on 12th January 2026. The sympathies of all at St Helen’s are with Harry’s family at this difficult time.