THE sporting community of Neyland and Pembrokeshire as a whole has been left saddened by the death of Martyn Rees, who died on Monday after an 18 month battle with cancer.

Martyn, who worked as a prosecutor for Natural Resources Wales, was renowned for his dedication to Neyland’s cricket and rugby sides, and the dignity with which he conducted himself when attending matches.

He was known to many as ‘Ceefax’, for his incredible memory regarding sporting events, general knowledge, and attention to detail when providing match reports to the local media.

Neyland RFC captain Chris Busby said Martyn had been ever present since his first team debut 21 years ago, and paid a glowing tribute to a man he labelled a ‘true friend’.

“The word legend is banded around too often, but for him the description is fully justified and we will never be able to replace him,” said Chris.

“He was a real club man and so loyal to us through good and bad times. He was a shining light in our club and I think a lot of people respected us more simply because we had Martyn on board.

“There was no malice in him. He was fair in everything he did, even when running the line for us, and you would never hear him have cross words with people or criticise anybody.”

Chris and teammate Mark Hamer visited Martin on Saturday morning, and fittingly, the All Blacks proceeded to beat St Clears 20-15 later that afternoon.

“Despite his condition, he was more interested in our team selection and our chances of winning against St Clears, and said he hoped to make the Llangwm match a week later.

“That was the measure of the man.”

Last year Chris helped organise a trip for racing lover Martyn and friends to visit Ffos Las racecourse – and added he now hoped to make the outing an annual event for sports lovers in Neyland to honour his memory. Neyland Cricket Club captain Gregg Miller echoed Busby’s sentiments.

“It’s terrible news,” he said. “The man was a true gentleman - kind hearted, witty, generous and totally selfless.

“He never asked of others and always was prepared to help, a really great guy in every sense.

“He will be sorely missed.”

Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.