News

Daniel Russell Howell 

2 July 1941 - 29 November 2023

Russell Howell contributed an immeasurable amount to rugby in Pentyrch, and the wider WRU East District, on and off the field of play.

His influence on the sporting life of our village extended beyond our game, as he made notable contributions to the development of the cricket square and the installation of the bowling green.

What follows in this article is an outline of his time with our Club, based on the memories of one of his closest friends, Roger Jones.

Dates are approximate and there are many more stories involving Russell woven into the fabric of our Club that are not included here. 

Early years

Russell was born in, or near, the former Colliers Arms, Pentyrch, in July 1941 to Nancy and Thomas Howell (the building that was the Colliers Arms still stands on the side of the mountain but is now private housing).

He was educated at Pentyrch Primary and Whitchurch Secondary.

Russell played in Whitchurch Secondary’s first rugby side to reach the Cardiff Schools’ final on the Arms Park.

During his childhood, Russell would have grown up with rugby being played on Clawdd Siôn in the heart of the village, with the game strengthening from a lull during the Second World War, to reach the heights of three consecutive Mallett Cup wins in the first three seasons of the 1950s, a move to y Dwrlyn, the erection of “the Shed” (our first Clubhouse), the creation of the Club badge, and WRU membership. 

In the 1956/57 season, Russell played in the first Pentyrch Youth XV.

The Club years

In 1960 he made his 1st XV debut and in the following season it is said that he scored over 100 points in tries (at time when a try was worth three-points).

December 1962 saw Russell's marriage to Lorna (nee. Addicott). Russ and Lorna had four children: Bruce, David, John (sadly deceased), and Jayne.

In 1962/63, Russ became Chair of the Club, taking over from Horace Edwards. Russ remained Chair until well into the 1980s.

On the field, Russ was 1st XV Captain for two seasons: 1963/64 and 1964/65.

In many respects, Russell’s history in the Club follows that of the Club itself during this period.

A list of events and achievements that occurred during his Chairmanship demonstrate this:

• The 1st XV pitch was developed and changed from an East-West orientation to North-South.
• An alcohol licence was obtained for the old Clubhouse (“the Shed”).
• The current Clubhouse was built and opened (1977).
• Floodlights were installed.
• Pentyrch played Cardiff (1971) and Llanelli (1976) in memorable WRU Cup fixtures.
• The Club’s bus was purchased (“Intercontinental Travel”).
• The Club’s centenary year was celebrated, and the A Club for all reasons book published (1983).
• The formation of the Pentyrch Sports Association.
• Tours to France, Switzerland, Ireland, and Scotland.
• Pentyrch RFC became the “home” for the East District XV (during Russell’s tenure as Chair of the East District Rugby Union).

Russell also assisted with the installation of the bowling green and helped John Moore with the cricket square. 

On standing down as Chair in the mid-1980s, Russell was briefly President of the Club before standing down to become one of two East District WRU Representatives - a role he held for well over a decade.

The last game Roger recalled Russell playing was on the Isle of Bute in the mid 1990s.

Russell passed away on 29 November 2023, at Allwen Nursing Home, Blackmill.

Prior to the Pentyrch RFC v Taffs Well RFC matches on Saturday 2 December, over 80 players and officials from Pentyrch and Taffs Well stood shoulder to shoulder for a minute's silence in memory of Russell.