Mark Dicks

[viewfromthestand]

Really saddened to learn that a former Steelman Mark Dicks has died. Dixie started his rugby career up at RTB. He had something about him and soon made the move to a higher level of rugby. He played in the second row and since he towered over most people was a first class lineout specialist. Mark was a nativr of Rassau and played in goals for Rassau Rangers and his sheer size kept many a goal from being scored. Mark was a policeman and I remember him catching me speeding in Nantyglo.At just short of takeoff speed he walked out infront of me hand up and as I stopped he looked into the car and realised I was a mate. He called his colleague over, fortunately I knew hiM too. No ticket . Mark was a good bloke and my thoughts are with his family. Once a Steelman always a steelman , even though he finished his playing career with our near meighbours the Ironmen of Merthyr

[jadegoodiesfridge]

Mark was my cousin and it has to be said ,the worst athlete as a kid as you could imagine .I could walk faster than Mark could run ,he couldn't play football to save his life .The worst goalkeeper in the history of the world,and I even beat him 10 -0 in subbutteo.So to my abject horror ,many years later ,having lost touch with Mark in the mid 70s,I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw someone who looked like a big Mark playing second row for Ebbw in the late eighties.At the end of his home debut I stood by the gate underneath the stand to see Mark trotting off toward me with a big grin on his face .I said to him in no uncertain terms that ' this is an effin wind up " to which Mark put me in a headlock ,wouldn't let me go and marched me into the changing rooms .RIP old butt ,and send my regards to uncle Tom.

[RS]

Mark was my cousin and it has to be said ,the worst athlete as a kid as you could imagine .I could walk faster than Mark could run ,he couldn't play football to save his life .The worst goalkeeper in the history of the world,and I even beat him 10 -0 in subbutteo.So to my abject horror ,many years later ,having lost touch with Mark in the mid 70s,I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw someone who looked like a big Mark playing second row for Ebbw in the late eighties.At the end of his home debut I stood by the gate underneath the stand to see Mark trotting off toward me with a big grin on his face .I said to him in no uncertain terms that ' this is an effin wind up " to which Mark put me in a headlock ,wouldn't let me go and marched me into the changing rooms .RIP old butt ,and send my regards to uncle Tom.

This is as lovely a tribute as you'd ever read.