TOUCHING tributes have been paid to the chairman of Pontypool RFC after he died last month.

Barrie Calder-Matthews was a familiar face at the rugby club, serving as chairman for several years and working alongside the club’s hospitality manager and wife, Gill.

Following an recent illness the club stalwart, former firefighter and well-known Torfaen businessman died at home, aged 73, on Friday, April 28.

He was due to attend the club’s end of season celebration dinner at the Parkway Hotel and Spa when he died and following an official announcement by the club, tributes have poured in paying tribute to his life, legacy and distinctive character.

Daughter Melissa Calder-Matthews, said the family were “touched” by the response from Pontypool RFC supporters and staff following her father’s death.

“We have been incredibly touched and, at the most devastating time, it was very warming for us to be able to hear how loved he was not only by us but by so many others,” she said.

She said that her father had been immersed in the club over the last 15-20 years seeing much of its history from its court battle with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to its recent “rise from the ashes” to win the WRU national championship.

“He has been very poorly over the last few years and lost his kidney 10 years ago through kidney cancer and lost his leg through diabetes in 2009,” Melissa added.

“He wanted to get a prosthetic leg and went back to skiing. He had lots of medical issues and anyone else would have given up.”

This was characterised by Barrie asking for special release from hospital to see his beloved Pontypool RFC lift the cup earlier this year, she added.

She described him as a “quiet man with a great sense of humour” who was ‘hardworking” and “would never ask anyone to do something that he couldn’t do himself”.

“He was ridiculously strong, ridiculously stubborn and a real fighter,” she added.

Alongside his role at Pontypool RFC, Mr Calder-Matthews ran his own company in the Pontypool area for over 40 years, which at its peak employed “over 100 people”.

This included Pontypool Excavation and Demolition and Calder’s Plants.

He was married to his wife Gill for 37 years and has three children, Melissa, Darren and Jane, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Pontypool RFC’s chief executive officer, Ben Jeffreys, described Barrie as “genuine, honest and straightforward” and pledged to “keep his legacy alive” at the club.

“Barrie was extremely helpful and wanted what was best for the club [...] his loss is going to leave a big impact on his family and everyone at the rugby club,” he said.

“He made food for people before the matches and you could always spot Barrie and Gill going round. They were inseparable.

“They were not people that were in the lime light very often but they’re behind the scenes doing the graft. No job was too much for Barrie. He would have done anything to make sure the club was in good order.”

Pontypool RFC’s boss, referencing the trophy-giving ceremony, said Barrie looked “gratified” to see the club rise to success.

“There was a look of contentment on his face that day. It was great to see the club could still bring him pleasure when he was ill,” he said.

“Barrie was a man of few words but he always looked after people at the club and wanted to do good for the club.

“I’d like to give a big thank-you to Barrie and Gill and the whole family [...] the club message is that we’re going to support you every step of the way.”

A statement published on Pontypool RFC’s website also credited Barrie’s “inspirational level of courage, commitment and loyalty”.

It said: “Barrie’s passing has left a void in the club that simply cannot be replaced and we are heartbroken to have lost such a loved and respected member of our family.”