The 79-year-old, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021, passed away peacefully at home in the early hours of Wednesday with his family by his side.
A former hooker for Cardiff Youth, Cardiff Rags and Cardiff’s 1st XV, he became a hugely influential figure off the field at the Arms Park, spending 22 years as club chairman. He was also a long standing investor in, director and chairman of Cardiff Blues, now Cardiff Rugby.
Born in Edinburgh in 1943, Peter was educated at Cyfarthfa Castle School and Taunton. He returned to south Wales, where he played for Cardiff Youth for two seasons.
His progression to senior rugby saw him playing for Ebbw Vale for two years before returning to the Arms Park. The majority of Peter’s playing career was with the ‘Rags’ (Cardiff Athletic) and he was part of the side that won the Silver Ball in 1966.
His first XV debut came in a game against Chester in 1966 – one of eleven first team appearances between 1966 and 1968. He ended his career playing for Bedwas.
His father, Stan Thomas senior, was a big supporter of Cardiff RFC and both Peter and his brother, now Sir Stan Thomas OBE, followed in their father’s footsteps in going into the pie business. They eventually sold ‘Peter’s’ Pies for £75m before heading into the world of property and airports with a new company, TBI.
He poured much of his wealth into Cardiff Rugby, where he served as chairman from 1996 when the game went professional. During his time at the helm some of the world’s greatest players turned out in Blue & Black – Jonathan Davies, Jonah Lomu, Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley – and he saw the Cardiff side win the WRU Challenge Cup in 1997, the Welsh-Scottish League in 2000.
Cardiff Blues won the EPCR Challenge Cup in Marseille in 2010 and in Bilbao in 2018, beating Toulon and Gloucester respectively. They also won the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2009, beating Gloucester 50–12 at Twickenham.
Peter decided to step down as Chairman after the win in Bilbao, but remained a major shareholder with the honorary position of Life President of Cardiff Blues. At that stage he pledged to write off debts of more than £11m, yet remained a major benefactor until his death.
He is survived by his wife Babs, four children Holly, Deborah, Steph and Rhod, and nine grandchildren. The WRU offers sincere condolences to all family and friends of Peter Thomas.
