(Presented by Tommy David)
When a challenge to form a team at Heol Goffa Day Centre was laid down by the Swansea Gladiators, Gary James was the man who took up the challenge. He pulled together a team of Heol Goffa service users, staff members, family and friends. He organised the kit and played in the centre.
He effectively organised all three games in the first two seasons and continued to be involved behind the scenes and on field as the club developed. He was instrumental in the clubs 1st tour to Teignmouth and helped out in anyway necessary over the seasons.
He has been a vital link to Burry Port RFC which proved critical in the club’s early days, and later for the decade the Warriors were based there. He instigated the Origin Cup, contested between Burry Port and the Llanelli Warriors.
A former Captain at Burry Port, Gary was a crucial player for the Warriors in their 1st decade, able to play across the backline himself, as well as give direction and guidance to other players and the team as a whole. He set early appearance records at fly half and was voted Players’ Player in 1999/00. He was also always first to help out opponents if they were short, referee, mark fields, cook food, organise opponents and even negotiate with disgruntled hotel managers on tour.
No one who knows Gary via rugby, will be surprised that the Warriors have gained a reputation for good rugby, mixed alongside plenty of tours and off field shenanigans.
Most recent appearance (hesitate to say last) was as hooker, against Burry Port on New Years Eve 2017. The Warriors lost the match, but Gary won the Killer Pool afterwards.
Various family members have also been involved in some instance, most notably son Craig, nephew Jamie Evans and wife Diane (supreme emergency cook).
The club would probably not have been formed, survived, or thrived without Gary’s continual efforts. Continues to support and advise the club.