Tales from Legends
Adrian Owen
Adrian was the first-ever to receive the Aberavon club-person of the year award – 1980. He captained Aberavon in 1982-83 and 1983-84. He was the club player of the year in 1981and 1982. Lock forward – front of the line jumper. He captained Aberavon vs Maoris in November 1982 and scored two tries in the first match of the Aberavon tour to Canada in 1982.
Mike Lewis
Playing at outside half he was top scorer for Aberavon in seven separate seasons after joining the club from Cwmllyhfell. At that point he was said to be aged 23. He returned in January 1986 from a spell with Lazio in Italy.He often joked that he was the first professional player in Wales during the ‘amateur’ era.
Ian Moore
Local boy from Cwmafan, Port Talbot. Moore made 379 appearances for the ‘Wizards’ and scored 12 tries, the most famous try coming against Carmarthen Quins for the all important point needed to stay in the Premiership. He captained the club in five seasons. Buddha was nominated Player of the Year in 2005, 2011, 2013, 2014.
Richie Davies
He was in the Aberavon side soon after Mike Nicholas had turned professional and was in the ‘Wizards’ party that ‘toured’ Jersey in 1973, Barbados in 1977 and Canada in 1981. He captained Aberavon in 1975-76 and was the Player of the Year in 1973.He gained a Wales ‘B’ cap in an outstanding 24-6 win over France ‘B’ at Pontypool on 17 November 1976.
Allan Martin
Allan Martin was a fixture in the power-house of the Wales pack for the best part of nine years, scoring 25 points. Toured with the Lions to New Zealand and Fiji in 1977, then South Africa in 1980. Played in well over 500 matches for Aberavon, setting a club record of 285 points in 1973-74.
Lloyd Howell
Powerful scrummager Howell appeared for the ‘Wizards’ 308 times with this 300th appearance in a splendid win against Pontypridd in 2012. He had played for Pontypridd and over in Connaught in Ireland briefly. Formed a good partnership with Wells and Harris, later Breeze and Edwards.
Liam Gadd
A hard-nosed talented footballer, played most of his Aberavon rugby at centre forming a good partnership with Darren Ryan. Also helped develop a young Ashley Beck and Will Price. Played 199 games for the ‘Wizards’ with his last game in 2012.
Ray Giles
Born in 1961, was a strong hard-working half back who played in two spells at Aberavon, starting in 1980-87 and then from 1990-92, having switched to Cardiff from 1988-90. He skippered Aberavon in 1985-86, 1986-87, 1987-88 (part) and 1990-91 and played for them against the New Zealand Maoris in 1982.
Simon King
Simon had taken the ‘Wizards’ to their highest-ever position of 3rd in the Premiership and to a Cup final, being in charge of 236 games, winning 139, drawing eight and losing 89. He had recruited some people that are still at the club including David Pritchard, Rowan Jenkins and Will Price.
Richard Diplock
Born in 1965, schooled at Glanafan Comprehensive School he studied at Neath Tertiary College and was playing for British Steel (Port Talbot) when he won Wales Youth caps against France and England in 1984. In total for Aberavon he played 251 games and scored 87 tries in his 392 points.
Ashley Beck
Becky made his Aberavon debut against Pontypridd in 2007 aged 17 and his last game was against Neath on Easter Monday in 2011. He played for the Ospreys and joined Worcester Warriors in 2018. He was an amazing talent. Gained Welsh caps, but due to injuries his international career was short.