Putting something back into the game is a time worn cliche, but if one man has done that it is New Dock Stars President Cyril Rees.

Aged 92 he sadly passed away on Saturday 25th November 2012.

Cyril's association with New Dock Stars goes back to the early 1920's, where as a young lad he would go along to watch his elder brother play for the club soon getting involved with the team bringing on Lemons at half time.

Cyril Made his first team debut in 1934, at the tender age of 15 playing wing three quarter against Elba, having representing his school in an earlier match. This started a life long dedication to the sport of rugby football and New Dock Stars R.F.C. Cyril later moved up to play in the front row and also represented the Scarlets in 1948 however, with the outbreak of the War he moved away to join the Army and returned to the club in 1945.

After the war years, with the assistance of other older members he played an active part in re-forming the club and was elected Secretary in 1946, a position he held with distinction for 40 years until his resignation in 1986. the following year he was elected President Of the club and has remained in that position until the sad day of his passing.

In the early difficult years, due to Cyril's efforts and guidance, the club continued to develop and in 1948 his endeavours were rewarded when he successfully gain the club entry into the Welsh Rugby Union. Having steered the club to a successful future he involved himself further afield by becoming a founding member of the Carmarthenshire County Rugby Association with which he served for several years, and in the 1960's Cyril was awarded the Castella Award for sport. His contribution has not only been as a player and administrator but also as a worker and benefactor of the club and was instrumental in building a stand on the old New Dock field at Machynis, and Carried out renovation of the Wire Board Changing rooms in the old Biddulph Street which included decoration, plumping and electrical work.

In the early 60's with development and progress foremost in mind Cyril Successfully negotiated the purchase and renovation of the New Inn in New Dock Road which subsequently became the headquarters of New Dock Stars, his perception and negotiating skills again came into the fore when in 1970 he secured ownership of the land at St George which not only provides the club with one of the best playing fields in West Wales, but has ensured the club has a strong financial asset.

He was responsible for the erection of the of the new changing rooms and persuaded London Welsh R.F.C to play the inaugural match to open both the new field and changing rooms in 1976, and continued to ensure the development and well being of the club and in 1984 a new club house was opened on the St George's field.

It must be stipulated that all these projects have been undertaken with the interests of the club uppermost in Cyril's mind with no financial gain to himself, and Cyril has always encouraged players to better themselves and many players have gone on to benefit several first class clubs, the Llanelli Scarlets in particular.

He also encouraged and helped others to form Cricket and bowls teams within the club structure, The Crusaders Bowls Clubs, who play in the Llanelli League and are affiliated to the Welsh Bowling Association elected him President in 1991.

Cyril has alway set a wonderful example to young sportsmen and has alway emphasised the importance of fair play and good sportsmanship.

His dedication, effort and unflinching loyalty over 78 years has been exemplary and has gained the respect of all sporting people in the Llanelli area and will mean he will be greatly missed.

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