News

It is with heavy hearts that Bridgend Athletic RFC announce following a long and brave battle the untimely passing at the age of 55 of their well loved and respected Chairman Andrew Tellem. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family wife Alison and sons Neil, Matthew and George.

Andrew following a distinguished rugby player with Bridgend Sports which included him scoring 4 tries against us in a Cup Tie to turn around a 20-point deficit and narrowly win the game in the dying minutes, then crossed the river bridge to join the Athletic in 1995.

He played 88 games for the Athletic as a flying wing crossing for a remarkable 47 tries. It was not just on the field that Andrew endeared himself to Athletic club members. He fully embraced the social side of the club and was very popular with players and supporters and a prominent light in the Sunday club. Even in his last 2 months when he knew the end was in sight Andrew still whenever he could joined his friends at the Athletic on a Sunday afternoon enjoying the camaraderie.

Andrew joined the Committee and in 2017 was elected Club Chairman. He really embraced the role and was well respected both by his fellow committeemen and club members. He even attended a committee meeting two weeks ago, such was his devotion to the club. He was tireless behind the scenes carrying out many improvements to the club with his handywork skills and helping behind the bar with his wife Alison on many occasions. At last year’s Player of Year Andrew carried out his duties admirably giving both the welcoming speech, but also the 1^ST XV Review despite Public speaking being alien to him as a craftsman. He had set a goal to be able to attend this year’s event on Saturday – but sadly is unable to do so.

Such was his standing and respect in the club that a fundraising function organised for him and his family by his nephew Lee Byrne and fellow committeeman David Tidy, Chris Thomas and Jon Davies on Super Saturday the last day of the 6 Nations in March saw the club packed to the rafters both upstairs and downstairs, with a good sum of money raised,

Though Andrew has passed on the Tellem name lives on at the Athletic with his son Matthew playing for the 2^nd XV and George playing for our Youth team

Andrew you will be missed but not forgotten for all you have done for Bridgend Athletic RFC. Thank you.