Everyone will know by now of the extremely sad and devastating news of the passing away of a Caerleon veteran, well-loved personality and our/my friend Grahaeme ‘Big G’ Thomas.
I first met G when he was a barman working for Winker and Loraine Davies in the Bull back in the early eighties. A nice enough bloke and obviously clever as he’d, more or less, just finished university and a MENSA member. I never thought he was a rugby player. How wrong was I?
Starting in the second team, it wasn’t long before he established himself as a first team regular and during his career he was team captain twice (stepping in for captains who needed to stand down for various reasons early into the season) and a former player of the year, he lifted the District Cup in the nineties as captain. G kept his boots supple up until only a few years ago, spending the last of his playing days championing the helmets. During those years I know those boys held him in high regard making a special presentation to him when he finally hung up the boots for good.
G was a top clubman, always wore his heart on his sleeve and was forthright in his opinions whether it be for Caerleon, Pontypool or his beloved Coventry FC. I know he never intended to cause offence but a passionate guy to the end.
Grahaeme had a large group of friends, from his school and Uni days, colleagues from his various jobs over the years and of course his Rugby days where he made many friends throughout the Newport and District area but mainly at our club where he was a true veteran, touring with the Rust Helmets, Drinking on Flat Caps and Tankard day trips and a huge presence in the close group of mates known as The Timmy Time Crew.
After all that is said and done G was a family man 100%. Totally dedicated to Wife Lesley and daughters Angharad and Sioned and often seen out to dinners and family get together with Dad Terry, Sister Sheanna and mother Val.
We, as friends, will miss him immensely, a void left that cannot be filled. I’m struggling to imagine how his lovely family are feeling right now.
To them I’d like to say that the love felt for Grahaeme is palpable, and I like to think we can turn that into a positive and direct it all back to you at this very sad, unhappy and frankly devastating time for you all.
On behalf of Caerleon RFC I like to say thanks for the memories Big G, thanks for the friendship and the laughs, thanks for your dedication, blood sweat and tears. You are gone but never forgotten and there is always a place for you on Thursday evenings with the TT boys. RIP
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