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09 May 2023 / Club News

Wayne Fooks - 500 Senior Ath Appearances

Wow 500 Ath Club Senior Appearances. That is what Wayne Fooks achieved as he entered the Brewery Field through a guard of honour of his fellow players against Glynneath on May 6th, 2023. Unfortunately, Glynneath contrived to be party poopers with a 78THminute try consigning the Ath to a losing bonus point with a 19-24 loss.

 

Wayne Fooks aged 44 a prop and daddy of the 1st team continues to astound Ath players and supporters with his commitment and ability to hold down a 1st XV place. This season the Ath’s 50th Anniversary season sees Wayne in his 26th senior season since making his 2ND XV debut playing 12 games season 1996-97, then made his 1st XV Debut in 1998 – 1999 – playing youth and senior rugby for over half the years the club has existed.

 

He achieves club legendary status as only the second player to make 5 centuries of Senior Ath Apps and the first forward. Waynes 500 games includes 428 for the 1st XV, 78 for the 2nd XV and has 31 tries and 155 points. Only fellow Ath legend Stuart Morris on 529 Apps has also reached that milestone. With only around 25 games a season now it is hard to imagine anybody else reaching the 500 marks again.

 

This season Wayne has played in 22 of the 24 1st XV games – only Ieuan Evans played all 24 more Apps than Wayne.  He hardly misses a training session.

 

Wayne has seen the club progress from the old Division 5 through to the Championship and currently playing in Division 1 West Central, holding off the challenge of many club props of far greater stature than him. Not many opposing props either have out scrummaged him. Remarkably he came back from a double ankle and broken leg in a Championship game at Narbeth 8 seasons ago.

 

He remembers playing in a Silver Ball final with the likes of Lee Byrne, Stuart Morris, Robert Coles, Gareth Bartlett, and Lee Grabham in the same team. Last season he helped the team win the District Cup in a hard-fought game with Skewen, with the scrum as solid as a rock. Other memorable games in season 2008-2009 defeating Kidwelly on the final game of the season 27-19 to gain promotion to Div 1 West as Div 2 West Champions. Bridgend simultaneously were demoted to Div 1 West that season. Wayne remembers then defeating Bridgend at Newbridge Fields 20-13 on Sept 12th, 2010, and drawing 3-3 at the Brewery Fields in a Boxing Day monsoon, finishing 3rd that season 2010-2011 in Div 1 West and above Bridgend!

 

Wayne is a very popular player and person with everybody associated with the Ath to which he has given so much. This was duly recognised when he was once awarded Clubman of the Year. He is also among a handful of players awarded an Athletic Cap.

 

Wayne coached the Mini & Juniors tracking his son Brandyn now with the Athletic Generals through the age groups from U7 to U16, and the Youth. It was a proud moment for Wayne when a few seasons ago he turned out alongside Brandyn, also a prop forward, in a mid-week friendly at Kenfig Hill. They have played together on three occasions.

 

Team Manager Paul Hearne added: “Brilliant achievement by Wayne and there’s no sign of him slowing down yet.”

 

Forwards Coach David Williams remarked “Wayne has been great to coach. To play in the demanding position of prop forward for so long is a massive achievement.”

 

Forwards Coach Nathan Holman who as hooker spent many hours on the field attached to Wayne in scrums said “Going from watching ‘Wayne the train’ as a child to playing alongside him for many years and now involved with coaching yet the ‘train’ still runs on is a testament to his commitment. 

Wayne was a great help passing on his experience to myself as he has done with many others that have come and gone. Wayne is a true club legend, and I don’t believe it will be ‘500 and out’ Wayne has been great servant to the club will continue to be in some capacity for many years to come. 

 

 Stuart Morris only other 500 Ath Apps player perfectly summed up Wayne “For me he is an exceptional club man, a very good trainer who over the years has become a cornerstone of the 1st team side / squad. A mark of his commitment to Bridgend Athletic, is returning from a career threatening injury at the age of 37 to retain his position in the 1st team. He is a credit to our club, his family and himself.”

 

Coach Gerald Williams: Not known Wayne as long as other coaches but I can honestly say it’s a pleasure working with him, and his attitude as always been 100 percent. Well done Wayne great achievement congratulations.

 

Head Coach John Apsee commented. “I have had the pleasure of being involved in coaching Wayne for the past 15 years and in that time Wayne’s commitment to training and playing has been exemplary, 500 games is a tremendous achievement and I’ve no doubt he will exceed that milestone,  well done Wayne you’re a credit to Bridgend Athletic it’s been a pleasure to have been involved in part of your journey..

 

Club Captain Ben Howe said, “Wayne has been brilliant for BARFC – we would be lost without him.”

 

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