Tributes paid to top ref and club stalwart
HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a former international referee and football club president.
Gwyn Pierce Owen, a former Fifa referee and president of Bangor City FC, has died at the age of 85.
A former school headteacher, Mr Owen - known by many as “GPO” - was a Football League referee throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and officiated international and European club matches during his career.
He was best known in North Wales as the former chairman and president of Bangor City FC, with the main stand at the club’s Nantporth stadium named in his honour.
He was a lifelong supporter of the club and a familiar face for many fans at the stadium.
In a short statement, the club said: “Former Wales international, referee and club president Gwyn Pierce Owen has died, aged 85.
“Thoughts with his family and friends at this sad time.”
In a statement on Twitter, the Bangor City FC Supporters Association said: “Words cannot express our sorrow at the loss of Gwyn Pierce Owen.
“Suffice to say the warm words expressed on Twitter are a testament to the esteem in which GPO is held. If ever a person represented a football club, it was GPO.
“RIP Gwyn. We send our condolences to Gwyn’s family.”
FA Wales added: “Everyone at the FAW is sad to learn about the passing of Gwyn Pierce Owen - a man synonymous with domestic football in Wales. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”
Hundreds of people expressed their sadness on social media at the news of Mr Owen’s death.
Former Bangor City coach Kevin Nicholson said: “Very sad to hear the news about Gwyn Pierce Owen.
“A lovely man who made me feel very welcome when I joined Bangor City FC and was always very supportive during my time at the club.
“My thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”
Former Bangor City player Jamie Reed added: “So sad to hear the news about Gwyn Pierce Owen.
“Absolute gent who during the warm up in my first game for Bangor told me what it meant to be a Bangor player and part of such an amazing club. He was not wrong.”