Perfect match as Clive and Beryl score 60 years together
A FORMER World Cup football referee from the Rhondda has celebrated his diamond wedding anniversary with his wife.
Treorchy-born Clive Thomas, 80, and his 79-year-old wife, Beryl, celebrated 60 years of happy marriage on Thursday, with family and friends who gathered at Llanerch Vineyard in Pontyclun.
The couple both lived in the Rhondda before deciding to set up home in Porthcawl many years ago.
Clive was a carpenter when he first met Cwmparc-born Beryl at a dance at the Treorchy Boys club, and the romance blossomed from there.
As a youngster, Clive’s sights were set on becoming a professional footballer, but a leg injury ended that ambition.
His love of football was still strong, and if he couldn’t play he was still determined to be involved, and, as a 16-year- old, he decided to take up refereeing.
He then became a football league referee and had the honour of being an official in the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals.
Throughout his years as the man in the middle he was never far from controversy.
Clive has always maintained a strong bond with the former Boys’ Clubs of Wales Association and is a past president of the movement.
He was also made the High Sheriff of Mid Glam- organ in 2004.
In a speech to the party guests, Clive said: “Beryl and I are among true friends to celebrate 60 wonderful years of marriage and that is a very special feeling.”
He also spoke of absent friends who had made a mark in his life.
“When I was at Treorchy Boys’ Club, the late Alby Nicholas was my mentor and my dear friend.
“I will also never forget the friendship I forged with Rhondda-based journalist Jack Trembath who had such a positive influence on my career as a referee.”
Beryl said: “Because of Clive’s years as a referee I have made many friends and met people I would not have dreamed of meeting.
“We have enjoyed a long and happy marriage. We have always been there for each other from the moment we met all those years ago on the dance floor.”
Clive added: “Whenever I blew the final whistle at a football match wherever I was in the world whether good or bad I had the glowing feeling that I was going home to my precious wife Beryl and that is all that mattered.”