‘Eddie epitomised the passion of the Welsh rugby public’
TRIBUTES continued to pour in yesterday for former Wales captain and much-loved rugby figure Eddie Butler.
It was announced on Thursday evening that the distinguished player then journalist had passed away in his sleep at the age of 65 while on a fundraiser with his daughter in Peru for Prostate Cymru.
The sad news has been met with shock and disbelief.
Rugby icon Scott Quinnell told BBC Radio Wales: “With the rugby coming back this weekend, you just expect to hear Eddie’s voice.
“I got a phone call last night and it just hit me for six. (I thought) ‘I can’t believe this’ because he’s such a fit man. He’s out in Machu Picchu, he’s walking.
“The first time I really got to sit down with him was when we did Kilimanjaro for Velindre all those years ago. All of a sudden, it was almost as if two No.8s just emerged at the back of the pack. For that five or six days we were there we just chatted and it was wonderful to get to know the man.
“He was a wonderful man. We very rarely talked about rugby, we normally talked about the pigs he was rearing up on the farm.
“It was a soothing voice, wasn’t it? “He was one of those guys – a bit like Grav – where you didn’t have to be in his company, you could just watch one of his programmes about the history of a part of Wales.
“You’d sit there for half hour, you’d lose yourself in the story, the pronounciation and the way he put the story across.
“At the end of it,. you felt like you’d learned something but you’d had a cwtch with a big pillow as well.”
Veteran referee Nigel Owens said: “He was a lovely, lovely man. When you worked with him he always made you feel at ease.
“He also had that ability of not shying away from asking the difficult questions.
“He had that voice where you could listen to him do anything. I was listening to the montage he did of Phil Bennett recently. I must have watched it six or seven times, not just because it was Phil Bennett but because of Eddie.
“A lovely man, orator and commentator. He was great fun to work with, such a knowledgeable person. You could just sit and listen to him. He had that ability to listen and respect you. I really was so shocked and saddened when I read it. I didn’t sleep well last night. There are other people out there who know Eddie better than I do and were closer to him but it really is a very sad day.”
Pontypool RFC have paid tribute to Eddie Butler, ‘a kind, generous and incredibly selfless person’ who sadly passed away yesterday.
The former Wales skipper turn broadcaster made his name at Pontypool Park, packing down at No.8 during the Ray Prosser era, when the club dominated Welsh rugby.
Pooler insisted he secured legendary status at the club.
“Pontypool RFC is devastated to learn of the passing of Eddie Butler,” the club statement read.
“Eddie also enjoyed a highly decorated international career, having represented Wales 16 times between 1980 and 1984, six of which were as captain. He also featured in the British and Irish Lions tour in New Zealand in 1983.
“Following a stellar rugby career, Eddie forged an equally successful path into broadcasting. As the BBC rugby lead commentator, Eddie epitomised the passion of the Welsh rugby public and became renowned as one of the most recognisable broadcasters in world sport. In addition to his legendary rugby commentary, Eddie also featured as a commentator for the Olympics and Invictus Games.
“While Eddie’s illustrious career speaks for itself, more importantly – Eddie was a truly wonderful person.
“Eddie was gifted, but he was also a kind, generous and an incredibly selfless person. Despite his demanding schedule, Eddie always made time for Pontypool RFC and he will be forever remembered for supporting the club during its darkest hour in 2012, when the club’s very existence was under threat. Eddie’s passion for the club was a key component in ensuring Pontypool RFC’S survival and he remained an ardent supporter of the club until the very end.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to Eddie’s wife, Susan, his children and friends. Eddie’s legacy will live on at Pontypool RFC and the club will pay its respects at Pontypool Park when the club hosts Neath RFC later this month.
“Thank you, Eddie. You will be dearly missed by us all.”
Former Wales fly-half Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies has said he is “devastated” to learn of Butler’s death.
The pair formed an entertaining partnership in the commentary booth on the BBC’S coverage of Wales internationals over the years, with Butler leading the action and Davies bringing his analysis with plenty of humour.
Davies said on Twitter: “Totally devastated with the news about Eddie. Lost a charming man and a great friend. My thoughts are with
Sue and all the children.”
Wales star George North tweeted: “So sad to hear about Eddie Butler. Not only a great player and a great commentator. He was one of the nicest and kindest people you’ll ever meet. RIP Eddie. You will be missed.”
Renowned rugby scribe Peter Jackson penned a tribute in the Daily Mail, which said: “That he succeeded against the odds by daring to specialise in a game long synonymous with Bill Mclaren’s Scottish burr made the achievement all the greater and the colourful Welshman’s sudden death all the more shocking.
“Typically, Butler did it by bucking the trend, aided and abetted by his mastery of the English language. In an era when too many commentators talk too much, he spent his words as if they were £20 notes, invariably finding one to capture the moment when others would use 20.
“Such economy made him a master of the less-is-more school, his skill as a wordsmith leading to the broader canvas of Olympiads and other international events far beyond rugby.”
The statement from Prostate Cymru read: “Ed was the voice of Wales and we were honoured to have him as part of our charity. We will cherish the many memories we have of him.
“Over the last week, Ed once again showed his generosity and steadfast commitment to good causes by joining 25 Prostate Cymru fundraisers, including his daughter Nell, on the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu.
“In the early hours of Thursday, September 15, Ed passed away peacefully in his sleep at Ecoinka base camp in the Peruvian Andes. He leaves behind his wife Susan and six children who are very much in our thoughts.
“The charity will not be making any immediate further comment. We also ask that the family’s privacy is respected during this difficult time.”
BBC Wales have altered their schedule to run an Eddie Butler tribute show tomorrow at 6pm.