wheelchair on the journey??? Such was the impression they made that in 1975, some 13 years after Billy’s death, Carlo Prete brought over an Italian team to Mumbles as a tribute to “the most incredible man I’ve ever met”.
Carlo had sent Billy a colossal bronzed statuette on a marble base and, after Billy’s death another breathtakingly beautiful trophy similar in stature. These trophies are today presented to the First and Second Team Players of the Year, and held with pride within the club.
The late 50’s was a bleak time for funds and new kit was badly needed. But Spurs and Wales’s footballer, Terry Medwin came to the rescue with eleven Welsh International jerseys. They were only numbered 7 and 9, Terry’s positions for Wales. So we fielded a side with six wearing number 7’s and four wearing number 9 on their shirts!
Through the 60’s there was plenty of success on the football field, Hylton Jolliffe’s ‘B’ side having enormous success, and many more achievements by the other sides. Billy’s quest for a clubhouse continued, with many failed applications, but his determination remained as strong as ever.
Billy John’s death in 1962 left the club shell-shocked, but still in good hands of club stalwarts like Mende Morgan, John Budge, Club Leader Bob Smith, Secretary Kevin McCloskey and Fred Clement, our home then being The Old Catholic Hall in William Street. But Bob Smith left for South Africa and then came the move to premises in the basement of Oddfellows Hall in the Dunns. The rooms often flooded with the incoming tide and it was an unhealthy existence and this move signalled an era of decline for the club.
But a new era was emerging, Jeff Fackrell (later to be club leader), Clive Henson (Chairman, Secretary and Fixture secretary), Mike Harvey, Keith Billington, Ian Williamson (later to become Secretary), and Clive Hemp (the new treasurer), were determined to keep the club going. These were difficult times and it was hand to mouth existence. With the further loss of the premises at Oddfellows Hall, the club sank to its lowest ebb. Meetings were now held at No.11 Glen Road, the home of Fred and Helen Clement and thanks to their hospitality the club was able to survive. Fred Clement played a huge part in our club’s history became ‘Man of Mumbles’, earned the Welsh FA long service award and served the Club for over 50 years becoming the Club President before his death. His wife Helen must also be mentioned for without the patience, understanding and support of Helen and many other such wives the Rangers officials would find it nigh impossible to devote their time and commitment to building the Club.
It was at this time that the club was offered a strip of concrete in Underhill Park, which had housed the American Nissen Huts during the war and was adjacent to the Rugby Club changing rooms. This was to be the Rangers’ new home and work began immediately. Ken Jones played a major part, ably assisted by Eddie Wade and other club stalwarts, Fred Clement, Jeff Fackrell, Ian Williamson, John Budge, Alan Martin, John Lodge, Clive Henson and Keith Billington to name a few. The main structure was supplied by Marley, the internal walls fittings and fixtures being built by club members. It was not a palace but it was our club and a home.
The arrival of Frankie Vaughan to open our own ‘Billy Johns Clubhouse’ was as nice a gesture to the memory of Billy, as one could get. Frankie first met Billy in November 1958 when he opened our then clubhouse at Norton. Mrs. Johns was present and also Clive Thomas, World Cup referee and Chairman of the Welsh Boys Clubs. The late 60’s saw the arrival of Reg Nix, an ex-referee, to assist with first team coaching, and Danny Sheehan and Dai Davies who had both seen the first team play
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