One of the most energetic and enthusiastic rugby administrators of the seventies and eighties Walsh, who died last week at the age of 75, was instrumental in breathing new life into the Welsh invitational team.
He was able to call on great names like JPR Williams, Tommy David and Allan Martin to bolster Crawshays sides and, in conjunction with Russell Jenkins, was instrumental in helping to broaden the club’s playing repertoire.
Instead of annual tours to Cornwall, Walsh took teams to the Hong Kong Sevens, to South Africa and all over the UK and France. He also raised the Crawshays side that faced the WRU President’s XV in 1984.
“Neville was hugely loved and respected by all the players who he encouraged to play for the Crawshays.
His impact on the club cannot be underestimated and his influence on Welsh rugby was also very important,” said former WRU general committee member, and Crawshays stalwart, Russell Jenkins.
“When Neville was involved with Crawshays, everybody wanted to play for the club. He helped to give the club a truly international name.”
After stepping down from his role with Crawshays, Walsh became chairman of Bridgend RFC and also became involved with his home town club, Aberavon.
A product of Llandovery College, Walsh furthered his education at Selwyn College, Cambridge, and played for the Saracens club when he was based in London.
He returned to Wales to become senior partner at the Port Talbot-based firm of solicitors, Howe, Nicholas and Toms, and also became the deputy coroner for West Glamorgan.
