It is with huge sadness that we have learnt that Bobby Wanbon has passed away aged 78 whilst on holiday in Tenerife.
Bobby was capped for Wales from Aberavon making his union debut in Twickenham against England in 1968. He scored a try that afternoon but was dropped the following week and subsequently he quickly signed for St Helens moving to Warrington three years later playing over 250 games in total.
As a dual code international he was held in huge regard at both rugby league clubs as he was in his home town union club where he was a regular visitor, he watched Aberavon play RGC in Colwyn Bay last April with his long standing close friend Mike Nicholas and they both spent an hour with all the squad in the hotel before the game.
Quite simply Bobby was a lovely man and will be missed by all his many friends but especially by his wife Jean, daughter Clare and all of his family to whom we extend our deepest sympathies.
There will be a minute silence in memory of Bobby before Friday nights game against Ebbw Vale.
Robert (BOBBY) Wanbon.
Born: 16/11/1943 Port Talbot.
Bobby Wanbon scored a debut try playing for Wales at No 8 in a 11-11 draw at Twickenham in 1968, but then turned to Rugby League with St Helen’s just nine days later. He moved on to Warrington in 1971, playing twice in RL Cup finals at Wembley as a winner in 1974 and runner-up in 1975. He played eight times for Wales RL and retired in 1975.
He schooled at St Joseph’s in Port Talbot, playing for Aberavon Boys Club and Aberavon Green Stars before joining Aberavon and played for West Wales against New Zealand at Swansea in 1967.
He became a publican in Warrington.