Dragons Rugby have today paid tribute to well-known sports journalist Robin Davey, who has sadly passed away.
Robin, from Newport, was a very familiar face to everyone Rodney Parade as the Argus’ chief rugby writer.
He served his hometown newspaper for more than 40 years, covering the Dragons, Newport RFC and Pontypool RFC.
Robin also attended over 300 rugby internationals, covering Wales and the British & Irish Lions, and was named the Welsh Sports Journalist of the Year in 2008.
He covered the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, reported from the tournaments in South Africa in 1995 and Australia in 2003 and retired in 2011 after returning from the World Cup in New Zealand.
A keen golfer and animal lover, Robin was still well-known to staff around Rodney Parade on match days.
And Managing Director, Mark Jones, who had known Robin for over 35 years today led the tributes.
“I met Robin when I first came to Rodney Parade in 1985 and what always struck me was his thirst for knowledge,” said Mark.
“He was always keen to know what was going on, he had a huge interest in what we were doing and trying to achieve. He absolutely loved his rugby.
“Even these last two or three years, our chairman David Buttress would often invite him up into a box on matchdays and he was still asking questions. It was just his way.
“Robin was, ultimately, a likeable person. He would always write honest commentary about you on a Saturday afternoon and, even if it was criticism, you would still like him the following week.
“It was that honesty in all he did that gave him such a likeability factor.”
Mark added that Robin’s interest in rugby right across the region had been infectious.
“He was so passionate about Gwent rugby. He knew absolutely everyone, and he loved Newport RFC and he loved the Dragons,” he added.
“Robin was from the area; he was a Newport man who was desperate for us to achieve success. Nobody wanted to write a success story about us more than him.
“He will be missed by many of us here at Rodney Parade and our condolences go to his family and friends. They are very much in our thoughts.”
Chairman David Buttress also tweeted his own tribute writing: “RIP Robin, a passionate, knowledgeable and old school Gwent rugby journalist.
“I really enjoyed his company, he was always nagging me for news, I guess old habits die hard. My love to Sue and Molly.”
The thoughts and best wishes of us all are with Robin’s family and friends at this time.
#RIPRobin
He was so passionate about Gwent rugby. He knew absolutely everyone, and he loved Newport RFC and he loved the Dragons...
