They say never meet your heroes as you’ll be disappointed. I’ll never forget the day I met my Hero. Michael J ‘Spikey’ Watkins. I was training in BodyMasters Gym at the top of Pill with my mate from school when Spikey and Charlie Faulkner came in! (Another Hero of mine). I was so shocked to learn they had come there looking for me! They asked me if wanted to sign for Newport RFC. I of course said yes immediately, but they wanted to meet my Dad to do it properly! Two days later they were sat on the sofa at 613 Monnow Way, Bettws and they were instrumental in making my life long dream of becoming a black and amber come true.
Spikey became my Captain, my front row colleague and inspiration, but most importantly my friend. So many happy memories going into battle on the pitch, easily the best Hooker I ever played with, and of course, so many hilarious moments and memories off the field! I will miss him. I thought my hero would live for ever!
Spikey joined Newport RFC from Cardiff in 1981 and in 6 seasons he led a mini revival in the club and played an incredible 229 games with an outstanding win rate of 62%. He represented Monmouthshire, was a very proud Crawshay (was there ever a better tourist than Spikey?), a Barbarian, but his crowning glory was Captaining Wales to two victories in 1984.
Why was he so loved by those that knew him well? I’ll share the words of Tony Coombs the Newport RFC scrum half in the 80’s – “I might not have played 10 games for Newport without his guidance and support. He took me under his wing when I went on tour to Canada as an 18 year old. That summer he took me to a sports shop in Blackwood, they gave me boots, runners, training tops, but the one thing he insisted on was running spikes for athletes. We did pre-season before pre-season. I would chase him up Cwmcarn Scenic Drive. After that it was down to Crumlin RFC, where he actually taught me ‘relaxed running’ whilst sprinting. We did loads of them. 50 yards, 100 yards. Once he knew I was knackered so he whisked me off the local pub, which was an absolute madhouse. Back to his house for a munch. Then his wife would drive me back to Newport. That pre-season, up the banks at St. Julian’s school. I was flying. So much respect for that man.”
Spikey constantly went out of his way to look after lads with potential. All at the Black and Ambers send our love and deepest condolences to all of his family and friends, the rugby world will be a worse place without him. Good night and god bless Spikey. My hero
Alun ‘Benny’ Williams – Newport RFC Director