Archie Thorburn was a well-known and hugely talented valleys rugby player who represented Wattstown and Pontypridd
A valleys rugby club is set to pay tribute to one of their greatest ever players this weekend following his death.
Wattstown RFC confirmed the sad passing of club stalwart Archie Thorburn in a post on Wednesday morning. Thorburn, who was 59, made nearly 200 appearances for the club, and also played for Pontypridd RFC during his career.
He also played in four Worthing Welsh Districts Cup finals in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997.
During his time with the club, Thorburn scored a century of tries and will go down as one of the club’s greatest ever players.
The club are set to honour Thorburn with a minute’s silence ahead of their National League 1 East Central clash with Llanishen at the weekend.
In a post confirming the news, the club said: “Everyone at Wattstown RFC sends our deepest condolences to Archie Thorburn’s family at this incredibly sad time.
“A true Wattstown legend, Archie made 195 senior appearances, 10 youth appearances and scored an incredible 100 tries, renowned for his devastating pace.
“He also represented Pontypridd RFC and earned a Welsh District cap before returning home to Wattstown.
“This Saturday, we will honour Archie and his family with a minute’s silence before both our 1st XV fixture at Wattstown Park and our Athletic fixture against Dowlais.
“Once a Duck, always a Duck.
“Rest in peace, Archie.”
Andrew Wheeler, a committee member at the club, told WalesOnline: “Wattstown went through an era back then when they were known as one of the toughest sides in the Rhondda. Archie was a big part of that.
“I know it sounds a bit much, but it felt like they had every hard man in the Rhondda playing for them. Other teams didn’t want to play them because they were an aggressive very physical side.
“Archie was in the backline, so he was like, you know, a smaller build guy.
“But he had a lot of wolves in the pack doing all the dog, and he was a very fast guy. He could then run rings around people with the ball.
“He was a very, very nice gentleman,” he added.
“He had a lot of time for people. He was polite. He, yeah, he, he was a really nice man and you can see that in the amount of people who have spoke about him, really.”
The news has sparked a number of tributes on social media.
“Terrible news this, absolutely gutted when I heard,” read one. “Excellent player and more importantly a lovely person. My sincere condolences to the family and also all at WRFC. R.I.P. Archie.
Another said: “Archie was a great guy and brilliant rugby player, always greeted you with a smile and was a genuine nice man. Godspeed Arch.”
“So very sad to hear this. Deepest condolences from everyone at Treorchy RFC,” was the message from nearby Treorchy RFC.
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