Great article and selections in keeping with his inimitable style, John is the former secretary of both NWRU and WRU District 'J' from the mid 80's to the turn of the millennium. The photo is not JD --read on !!

In his own words had a largely undistinguished playing career playing for his home town club Dolgellau, Rhyl, Wrexham, Delyn, North Wales Police and Colwyn Bay before moving in administration.

Having been secretary of NW Police rugby club for ten years when they played every Wednesday and the occasional cup game at weekends, he took on the job of secretary of Colwyn Bay RFC in 1979.

In 1983 the clubs licence was due its ten year renewal and applied to the court for a new one. A few days later he was summoned to Police HQ where he was told that the Chief Constable felt it was not in the best interest of the force that a police officer should be making application for a licence and was told to reconsider his position as club secretary!

Having stood down as club secretary, John then took over the secretary of NWRU who did not have to have a licenced bar. For over 20 years wrote the local rugby columns in the Daily Post and Wales on Sunday

The team selected are players that he has seen personally, not on TV or other media.

Interesting selections are---

Bleddyn Taylor, born in Bangor on the 17th January 1959. NWRU were made aware of his birth place in the 80's when overseas touring sides played NWRU.

Neil Bennett was trying to join London Welsh RFC, in the mid 70's but had no Welsh connections as the club were restricted to Welsh qualified players or any that played for a Welsh club. Step in London Welsh committeeman and Colwyn Bay notable Mike Roberts who asked
for a game for Neil. CBRFC agreed and he was selected to play for the Bay at Bangor, unfortunately the match was cancelled due to the heavy rain but Neil was on the train from London so he played for the seconds at Rhos on Sea but cannot recall the opposition. He took his duly signed transfer papers from Colwyn Bay back on the train to London.
Capped for England within 12 months.

Gary Wilmot-pictured-- Entertainer- while on a three or four month season at Llandudno in the old Arcadia Theatre where Venue Cymru now stands played for Colwyn Bay Veterans on the wing on the agreement that his agent should never find out. Hope he never gets on the pitch but selected for entertainment while on tour which must be why Matt Stevens went to Australia with the 2013 Lions!

Mal Shorney (Referee) Must have refereed over 50% of the games John played with NWP before leaving North Wales it would be nice to see him again.

Coach Tony Gray, everyone puts him in their NW team but he is the only Wales coach to get a bronze medal so he gets a rest for this one.

Time Keeper John Wright If he ever refereed you, you know why, His famous saying was 'you were enjoying it so why stop the game'

Touch Judge Joe Llwyn never gave more ground that he could get any with for his team!

John Davies' North Wales Dream Team/Squad/Coach/Officials

15 - Roland De Marigny - Bangor, Italy
14 - George North - Llanelli, Northampton, Wales,Lions
13 - Bleddyn Taylor - Swansea, Wales
12 - Mike Smith - Harlech, Ruthin, Bro Ffestiniog |
11 - Arthur Emyr - Swansea, Wales
10 - Neil Bennett - Bedford?, Colwyn Bay, London Welsh, England
9 - Gary Williams - Pwllheli, Wales (7's)
1 - Ian Buckett - Delyn, Rhyl, Swansea, Wales
2 - Robin McBryde - Menai Bridge, Bangor, Mold, Swansea, Llanelli, Wales
3 - Gwyn Harries - Dolgellau, Wrexham, North Wales Police, Fiji Barbarians
4 - Mike Roberts - Colwyn Bay, London Welsh, Wales, Lions
5 - Geoff Evans - Bangor, London Welsh, Wales, Lions
6 - Mike Leach - Colwyn Bay, Waterloo, Wales A
7 - Iwan Jones - UCNW, Wrexham, Llanelli, Wales A
8 - Chris Neville - Llandudno, Blackheath, Wales A

Dewi Bebb - Bangor, Colwyn Bay, Swansea, Wales, Lions
Neil Ashworth - Colwyn Bay, Birkenhead Park
Danny Everall - Colwyn Bay
Dave Cheeseborough - Wrexham
Derek Williams - Wrexham, Colwyn Bay
Gary Wilmot - Colwyn Bay, London Paladium, BBC & ITV |

Coach - Tony Gray

Referee - Malcolm Shorney, Mold

Home Touch Judge - Joe (Llwyn), Dolgellau

Time Keeper - Johnny Wright, Haven Hotel Rhyl