Swans mourn loss of Gwilym Joseph

Swansea City is sad to announce the passing of Honorary Club President Gwilym Joseph MBE.

Gwilym, 90, who passed away peacefully in the early hours of this morning, served the club for nearly 50 years in various capacities and took up the post of Honorary President earlier this year in recognition of his tireless work and commitment to the football club.

Swans chairman, Huw Jenkins, confirmed: “It’s a very sad day for the club. Gwilym worked tirelessly for this football club for more years than I can certainly remember and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

“His energy and enthusiasm, even at 90, was boundless. He was the club lead on the building of the Liberty Stadium and the training grounds at Landore and, just recently, Fairwood. His expertise and commitment can clearly be seen on all these projects and he will certainly leave a lasting legacy.

“There was nobody who deserved the title as Honorary President more than Gwilym and we will always be extremely grateful for his commitment, knowledge and dedication to this football club.’

“On a personal note, I have to say that ever since I have been chairman he was always a trusted ally and supporter of my work, something I will always be eternally grateful for.’’

The club stalwart, who was awarded the MBE in the 2014 Honours List for services to football and the economy in Swansea, was born in Morriston in 1927. He worked tirelessly from the ages of 14 to 16 to set up the only youth club in the area which opened in the premises of Pentrepoeth School in 1941.

Having established two football teams within the youth club - Morriston Athletic and Morriston United - he continued to support them and various charities through fundraising dances.

A former MD and chairman of Morriston-based Constructional Engineering and Construction Company, Rees and Kirby, one of the largest in the country, he first visited the Vetch with his father in 1940.

He became an avid Swans supporter and was a season ticket holder up until 1968 before joining the Vice Presidents’ Club.

As well as personal contributions towards the club’s upkeep, he also sourced financial support via Rees & Kirby.

He also formed the club’s Executive Fund Raising Committee (EFRC) in 1974 which has so far raised in excess of £500,000.

It prompted the club’s late chairman, Malcolm Struel, to award him life membership in 1980.

The Swans remained close to his heart throughout and despite having picked up numerous prestigious awards along the way; he continued to work tirelessly to help the club, the community and the stadium move forward to even greater heights and success.

As well as becoming Honorary President, he also continued in his role as project director, plus a director of Swansea Stadium Management Company.

Everyone at Swansea City Football Club would like to pass on our condolences to his family, especially his wife Jan, his family and friends at this sad time.