TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the greatest forwards in Pontypool RFC’s history, who has tragically died at the age of 37.

Cae Trayhern, “who was Pontypool through and through”, played and captained the club until 2011 before joining Cross Keys for a short spell, playing for the Pandy Park side in their British and Irish Cup final defeat to Munster A in Cork.

He played a solitary game for Newport Gwent Dragons in 2005 - a Celtic League fixture against the Scarlets at Stradey Park - and played in England's second tier for Pertemps Bees in the West Midlands.

A keen trainer, and one of the most robust flankers in the country, Mr Trayhern continually rejected overtures from other clubs to spend his peak years with Pooler.

The club’s legendary kit man, Terry ‘Tiger’ Simons, 81, said he expected him to move onto another club “to get the honours he deserved” but such was his loyalty to Pontypool, he stayed there for many years.

He said: “He was a really, really good player and a great leader as well.

“He was a destructive player. He knew how to read the game as it was going on and he could change the game if it needed to be changed.

“He was Pontypool through and through.”

Away from the rugby field, Mr Trayhern worked as a gas fitter and would often pop round to Mr Simons and his wife, Jane, if they ever needed anything.

Mr Simons said he could not believe it when he heard the news that he had died.

He said: “He was a very good friend of mine which has made it worse for me to find out the sad loss. He was a kind hearted, softly spoken gentleman.

“He was a wonderful friend to all of us and to Pontypool. He was absolutely fantastic to me and my wife and I can’t speak highly enough for him.

“He would do anything for us - it’s like we’ve lost a son.”

Mr Simons added that he hoped the club would arrange for a minute’s silence to be held in tribute to their former star before the opening game of the season in September.