Peter James
(Pontardawe Town FC)

It is with regret that we announce that Peter James of Pontardawe passed away on Friday 9th October after a recent illness.

At the time of his passing Peter, aged 59, was our Youth Section Manager and Coach. He had been in this role at the club for over 14 years with great success. He has led teams to many successes including the Welsh Youth Cup as well as developing many of the current crop of players within the Welsh League System and Local Football.

Peter has also been our Reserve team manager in recent years leading the team to two successive runners up awards in the Welsh Reserve West Division and, in doing so, playing attractive football whilst continuing to develop youngsters many of whom now feature in the First team.

Peter has many friends within Welsh football, from his playing days through to the present, who will be sad to hear of his passing and we at Pontardawe Town will be looking to honour and thank Peter for everything he has done for Pontardawe Town in the years he has been at the club.

The First Team and Reserve Team have decided to mark this sad news with a minute's silence at tomorrow's games at Bettws and at home to South Gower respectively.

The Youth Section games at Les Croupiers (Under 18s) and Carmarthen Town (Under 19s) have been postponed.

Everyone at Pontardawe Town sends our condolences to his wife Susan, his son Mark and his daughter Donna together with Peter and Susan's grandson Alfie.

Gary Thomas
Secretary, Pontardawe Town FC
 

The Peter James Hall

Pontardawe Town AFC are proud to announce that the Function Room at the Clubhouse will now be known as "The Peter James Hall" as a tribute to Peter and in recognition of his fantastic contribution to our football club.

Messages Received via Email / Guestbook / Facebook
(Last Update : Tuesday 20th October @ 10pm)

  • Pontardawe Football club will not be the same without peter. He was a fantastic man who lived for his football. We will miss you greatly. RIP (The Birch Family, Pontardawe)

  • So sorry to hear of the recent news of Peter's passing away. Last of the old school from the Trebanos days who has been the heartbeat of the football club throughout that time. His post match dancing went down in history a long time ago and he will go down in history for years to come. God bless you Pete. (Andy Harris)

  • It was a great pleasure to know peter you were a legend at pontardawe town afc you will you will always be thought of at our house, rip mate (Kevin & Susan Stewart)

  • I was saddened to hear of the passing of Peter James today and felt compelled to write to his wife and let her know just how far Peter, his work in football and personality had stretched during his 59 years. Peter was a fine man and one I had massive respect for as a football man. He will be sorely missed!. Please accept my sympathy for what is a huge loss to your football club as well (Gareth Morgan, Croesycyliog Football Club)

  • I only returned last evening from our matches in Finland and Lichtenstein, to learn that Peter had passed away. Please extend my deepest sympathy to his Family, and Pontardawe Town Football Club, he will be sadly missed (Ken Tucker, Welsh League and FAW)

  • I was very upset by the news of Peter James's passing.Some 2 years ago I phoned him to enquire about my Son Ben Donovan playing for the Club. He had just moved to Swansea University and was looking to continue his playing career. Peter was more than happy to invite him to training, and was then signed on. On the many occasions that I visited to watch matches, and socialise afterwards back at the Clubhouse he always made me welcome. Ben's progress, and improvement, as a footballer has been greatly influenced by Peter's role in the Reserve Team. He will always be remembered by us as a family. Please pass on our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Susan, and children Mark & Donna. (Glenn Donovan, Southampton)

  • PLEASE PASS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO SUE AND MARK AND ALL AT PONTARDAWE TOWN. PETER LOVED HIS FOOTBALL AND HE LOVED PONTY HE WILL BE TRULY AND SADLY MISSED. IT IS A PRIVELEGE TO SAY THAT PETER WAS A GOOD FRIEND WHO I WAS ABLE TO SHARE A PINT WITH AND A DEBATE NOT JUST ABOUT FOOTBALL RIP PETE X (Ray Pennock, Neath AFC)

  • Stunned when i heard the news pete was a top man who loved his club loved the game my thoughts are with his family we had some good times mate R I P (Andy Dyer, Neath AFC)

  • Absolute pleasure to know you in and out of football. The word legend is used far to often but in this case there's no other word more fitting. Thoughts are with the James family and everyone who has been involved with you. God must of needed someone to manage a Heaven XI. You'll never be forgotten mate, Complete Legend! (Gazza Lewis, Pontardawe)

  • Just wanted to wish Mark and his family my deepest sympathies.Peter was a true stalwart of the club.He hated to lose but he was always up for a crack after the game.Peter your commitment will be sorely missed. Gof Bless ! (Marcus Evans, Pontardawe)

  • Would you please pass on the condolences from all at Barry Town FC at the passing away of Peter. Our thoughts will be with you (David Cole Barry Town)

  • MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND THE CLUB. I HAVE GOT TO KNOW PETER IN CONTEST WHILST WITH MORRISTON TOWN AND LATERLY WITH GARDEN VILLAGE AND HE WILL BE MISSED ON THE CIRCUIT (Kevin Lewis, Wernick Buildings)

  • On behalf of Port Talbot Referees please pass on our condolences following the passing of Peter James. We have known Peter for several years through his work with your youth teams and he was a great guy on and off the pitch (Paul Fisher, Port Talbot Referees Association)

  • Condolences from Carmarthen Town on your sad loss (Gareth Jones, Carmarthen Town)

  • I'm sure that all connected with The Welsh Football League will wish to express deepest sympathy to Peter's wife and family, and to Pontardawe Town FC at this sad time (Tony Griffiths, Welsh League)

  • All at Aberaman Athletic send their condolences to Peter's family and all at Potardawe Town. (Aberaman Athletic)

  • Sad time for pontardawe football club. Peter was a legend and its been a pleasure to know him and play under him for so many years. Peter was Mr Pontardawe town football club and i can safely say that he will missed by everyone that knew him (Ianto, Pontardawe Town)

  • Just wanted to say how sad the loss of Peter James is, he was a great man and will be truly missed. My thoughts are with his family at this time . . . RIP Pete (Lewis Berry, Pontardawe Town)

  • Very sad to hear the tragic news that Peter James passed away this morning, my condolences to his wife and children. I was fortunate to work with Peter some time ago at Ponty and his enthusiasm and love of the club was second to none. He was well known and admired in South Wales football who gave his time and loyalty to many a youngster who benefited from his vast experience in the game. He will be missed by all, especially by those at Ponty, these type of people do not come around that often. I am proud to have been a colleague and an opponent of Peter. R.I.P (Peter Honey-Jones, South Gower)

  • My thoughts go out to Peter's family and Ponty, a great club man who helped a number of youngsters develop into Welsh League senior players, he will be sadly missed (Mark Snell, formerly of Pontardawe Town)

  • Absolutly Gutted !! By far the best manager i have had. RIP Pete x (Aled Whitelock, Pontardawe)

  • His personality will be missed by all up the club, a great guy & a great coach. RIP Jamesy x (Daniel Ethey Williams, Pontardawe)

  • Peter James RIP - Pontardawe Legend will be missed x (Sion Owens)