Jump to main content
OBITUARY: Welsh rugby loses a great servant

OBITUARY: Welsh rugby loses a great servant

Albert Francis, the former head groundsman at Cardiff Arms Park and Sophia Gardens, has passed away.

Share this page:

A great character, and a great friend of rugby, cricket and many charities in later life, he passed away earlier this week at the age of 89 after a short illness. He was born in Dafen, Llanelli, but spent much of his working life in Cardiff.

“Albert was a huge supporter of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust and spent a lot of his spare time organising golf days and various charitable fundraisers in support and was also closely linked with the Ray Gravell & Friends Charitable Trust,” said WRU chairman Gareth Davies.

“He was a great friend and a former Head Groundsman for Cardiff RFC and of course Sophia Gardens Cricket as they were linked at that time.

“He supported Bill Hardiman, the WRU’s groundsmen whenever extra help was needed on the pitch next door and would often bring the Cardiff “ground team” across to the Stadium to help.  He was, however, primarily with Cardiff.

“Albert was a great servant to the national game who will be sadly missed and, on behalf of Welsh rugby, may I offer sincere condolences to his family and many close friends for their loss.”

He was made an MBE in 2013 for his services to charity and was instrumental in bringing hospitality boxes to the Arms Park in the eighties.

The Welsh Rugby Union would like to pass on its condolences to Arthur’s friends and family.

Partners and Suppliers

Principal Partners
Principality
Admiral
OBITUARY: Welsh rugby loses a great servant
Vodafone
Go.Compare
Official Broadcast Partners
S4C
BBC Cymru/Wales
Official Partners
Guinness
OBITUARY: Welsh rugby loses a great servant
OBITUARY: Welsh rugby loses a great servant
Heineken
OBITUARY: Welsh rugby loses a great servant
OBITUARY: Welsh rugby loses a great servant
Official Suppliers
Gilbert
OBITUARY: Welsh rugby loses a great servant
Rhino Rugby
Sportseen
OBITUARY: Welsh rugby loses a great servant
OBITUARY: Welsh rugby loses a great servant
Princes Gate
OBITUARY: Welsh rugby loses a great servant
Amber
Opro
Total Energies
Seat Unique
OBITUARY: Welsh rugby loses a great servant
Castell Howell
Glamorgan Brewing
Ted Hopkins
Hawes & Curtis
OBITUARY: Welsh rugby loses a great servant