Celebrating the legacy of legend Charles Griffiths
BRIDGEND Town CC is coming to terms with the loss of senior statesman Charles Griffiths MBE, who has died aged 93.
His affinity with the game lasted a lifetime, and he became known throughout the Bridgend area as “Mr Cricket”.
From pre-war childhood days spent at the old Coychurch Road ground right through to the construction of the new pavilion in Newbridge Fields, he was a guiding light.
His lasting legacy was the cricketing love of his life – Bridgend Town Young Cricketers – that he set up in the 1970s. It was a revolutionary move, and countless players owe him a debt of gratitude for hours of devotion and encouragement. It mattered not to Charles the ability of young players, as he got even more satisfaction in bringing on the less-gifted ones. His devotion to junior cricket led in 1998 to him receiving a richly deserved MBE.
He was also one of the finest cricketers to represent the club, and the best wicket-keeper, even standing up to pace bowlers. And but for the consistent form of Haydn Davies during the 1950s, he would have surely played for Glamorgan.
He twice captained Bridgend Town and also held office as chairman, secretary and fixture secretary while never afraid to perform unglamorous duties around the club.
Charles also excelled at rugby – he was a founder member of Bridgend Sports Club RFC – and was also a fine golfer with an association spanning half a century with the Southerndown club.
Tributes have poured in, and Bridgend Town CC via Twitter said: “We’ve lost the great Charles Griffiths – a wonderful man, who we owe so much and thoughts are now with his family.’’
Club fixture secretary Howard Ling said: “You don’t often call somebody a legend, but with Charles it was apt.’’
Executive club member Alun T Bunston said: “The club will never be the same without him, but he’s left a lasting legacy.’’
Glamorgan Gazette sports writer Tony Poole said: “Thanks ‘Mr Cricket’ for the memories, and for almost making a wicketkeeper out of me. You might be gone but never forgotten.’’
His funeral is being staged at Coychurch Crematorium a week on Friday at 1.15pm.