Bridgend Athletic
In Memory of Clive Easterbrook
Co-founder of Bridgend Athletic RFC
Sadly, on Friday April 27th a stalwart of Bridgend Athletic RFC Clive Easterbrook aged 81 passed away at the
Princess of Wales Bridgend Hospital. His funeral took place at Coity Crematorium on Thursday, May 17th at 3.15pm.
At Clive’s express wishes to his proud sons, Steven and Kevin, his wake was held at the Ewenny Road Headquarters
of BARFC – the club Clive devoted 46 years of his life to.
Clive Easterbrook and his great pal, the late Jeff Jenkins, came on board BARFC around two months after the club was
formed in 1972, mainly by Phil Rees and brothers Brian and David Lewis and a Bridgend Youth side that, following a
March tour, wished to play senior rugby together. The duo was approached to help organise the structure of the club,
and in season 1972-73 the current Bridgend Athletic RFC was born.
Clive initially played for Tondu. Both Clive and Jeff had been recent players together at Ogmore Vale RFC – Clive a
no-nonsense hooker and Jeff a formidable lock. They were made Life Members of Ogmore Vale RFC for their staunch
efforts at the club offering their skills, Clive an Electrician and Jeff a Plasterer in the refurbishment of the Ogmore Vale
clubhouse. A feat they along with others repeated in gutting and refurbishing the existing BARFC clubhouse when the
Athletic purchased it from the old WEXA club.
Clive was awarded BARFC Clubman of the Year in 1976 and again in 1981-82 for the huge voluntary time and effort
he spent on the club refurbishment including rewiring the club. A trophy proudly on display at his home. Clive and
his great pal Jeff both achieved the unique distinction of becoming life members of two rugby clubs when the Athletic
deservedly recognised their huge contributions to the club. When injured at Ogmore Vale Clive passed an exam and
took up rugby refereeing for a short period.
Clive became the first Athletic coach shortly after joining the Athletic and its Fixture Secretary for many years. He
joined the formative Athletic committee along with Chairman Jeff Jenkins, Treasurer Phil Rees, Secretary Mike Rennie
and Brian Lewis. Clive chose the Green & Gold colours of the Springbok South Africa rugby team for the Athletic as
even in those days he had great ambitions for the club.
Shortly afterwards Clive became the Athletic representative on the Mid Glamorgan District and for his long service
and work with the organisation was awarded a plaque commemorating the Life Membership of the MGDRU he
received in recognition of his commitment.
Clive and Jeff’s experience, reliability and straight talking proved a huge asset in launching the BARFC project in its
formative years and well beyond. Both were active at the Athletic throughout their lifetimes. Two top men who not only
talked the talk but backed it up with actions.
Jeff was also involved with Bridgend, but Clive barely missed an Athletic game home or away and along with his
friend - the current Ath’s oldest supporter, 90-year-old Glan Hitchens, was still attending games earlier this season,
until his illness prevented him enjoying his passion for BARFC.
Clive’s wife, the late Beryl, was also supportive of Clive assisting with players meals on match days, and on a former
Ladies Committee at the Athlethic.
Clive will be missed, but not forgotten at BARFC where his face appears in many earlier Team Photos on the walls of
the club. His legacy lives on as over 300 players in 14 teams, 10 Mini & Juniors (founded 1991), 2 Youth (founded
1975) and 2 senior teams turn out most weeks of the season in his chosen Green & Gold colours. A remarkable
journey from a bunch of youth players who just wanted to stay together.
Such is Clive’s standing in the club that the Mini & Junior Section of the club have announced they are to rename
their Annual Festival “The Clive Easterbrook Festival.” The Senior Section of the club has placed his photo alongside
side another co-founder and his great pal the late Jeff Jenkins in a newly named Jeff Jenkins & Clive Easterbrook
Sponsor’s Lounge.
At Clive’s family’s request, could any donations in his memory please be sent to the Mini &
Junior Section of BARFC.
www.rugbyclubmag.com
65