Guest Posted December 28, 2016 (edited) From the Kent Kings website: http://www.kentkings.co/news.php?extend.828.1 BRYN WILLIAMS WEDNESDAY 28 DECEMBER 2016 Kent Speedway are very sad to hear the news of the passing today (28/12/16) of Bryn Williams.Bryn is well known to almost everyone in British Speedway (riders, promoters and fans alike) after decades of involvement in the sport that he loved and has been a regular at Central Park since the Speedway opened in 2013.Welsh-born Bryn who has lived in north west Kent for many, many years, first discovered Speedway when taken to the old West Ham track in Custom House by a then girl-friend in the 1960s – beginning a life-long love affair with the sport. He first came to prominence when running the Supporters Club at Crayford Speedway in the 1970s when so many of us here at Central Park first got to know him. Working then in Insurance, Bryn cut a very dapper figure in his suit.The suit was jettisoned many years ago after he retired from his ‘day job’ but Bryn never stopped his tireless work for countless tracks over the years: particularly Hackney, Arena Essex/Lakeside, Eastbourne, King’s Lynn, Oxford and ever since they opened, as Announcer & Press Officer at the Isle of Wight.A highlight in Bryn’s career in Speedway administration was when he Team Managed the Oxford side to the Conference League title in 2005.Bryn travelled more or less constantly (including often to Australia) to visit Speedway, on it seemed more or less every day of the week – surely no-one who has never driven himself has ever covered more miles watching any sport! As a journalist, manager, administrator, helper and announcer (with his distinctive voice and wicked sense of humour) Bryn will be always be remembered. Despite being in ill health for a number of years Bryn literally never eased up once in following the sport he was so totally committed to.All at Kent Speedway sent our condolences to his daughter Carys, son in law Andy and rest of his family and many friends at this sad time. We will post details of the funeral on here when available.RIP BRYN WILLIAMS Edited December 28, 2016 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dickie Head 241 Posted December 28, 2016 Race day weather check at 15.00. A large black cloud hangs over Erith on the Kent side of the River. But the rays of sunshine that Bryn delivers will soon banish the gloom and leave glowing memories of a truely great man. RIP my friend. 18 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted December 28, 2016 FORWARDED ITEM: ::::: Chris Popple 5 hrs · I am so saddened to learn of the passing of a speedway legend today, Bryn Williams, who I worked alongside at the Isle of Wight all of last season. I was humbled and honoured to be working with Bryn, who was the original Mr Speedway, with experience & knowledge of the sport second to none. You will be sadly missed by all who knew, and came in contact with you. My sincere thoughts go out to Bryn's family at this very sad time. God bless you mate, and God rest your soul. Untill we meet again my Warrior friend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomcat 21 Posted December 28, 2016 (edited) RIP Bryn. What a sad sad day, not just personally, but for the speedway world as a whole. I first met Bryn at Ipswich, then went on to see and speak to him at numerous tracks around the country, always it seemed with that trademark SuperKings stuck in his mouth. Polite and with a wicked sense of humour, Bryn always had time for a natter, which we all appreciated. My sincerest condolences to family and friends at this sad time. Edited December 29, 2016 by tomcat 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deano 1,318 Posted December 28, 2016 Awful news, RIP fella. I think we have lost Mr Speedway. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobMcCaffery 2,752 Posted December 28, 2016 It's never easy to deal with a situation like this, especially at this time of year, and my heart goes out to Bryn's family. As for his friends, well there are simply too many to mention within the sport for there are few people who have not benefitted from his work, usually behind the scenes at speedway. Walking into a speedway office and finding Bryn helping out was just too regular a sight to register sometimes, especially in London. You knew he'd be helping out somewhere. Our paths crossed many times and despite our respective Rye House and Crayford sympathies I think we reached a truce a long way back. It was at London Road where I first noticed this smart-looking chap in a suit looking rather out of place in the supporters' club kiosk, Bryn having not had the time to change out of his office garb on those Tuesday nights. There was a fair bit of verbal rivalry between him and the Rockets' supporters, especially after we'd won yet again at the 'budgies' home. Then I got involved in speedway on a more formal basis and inevitably grew to know Bryn properly. I remember turning up at the Speedway Mail offices clutching my first copy for the magazine, only top find Bryn beavering away, helping out Tony and John. When Crayford moved into Hackney I got to see just how much work Bryn was doing behind the scenes, not just editing and selling 'Kestrel News' which someone mentioned earlier did so much to smooth over the merger pains with Hawks fans upset at losing their team and the Kestrels' equivalent distraught at losing their track. It can't have been an easy marriage and it took people who cared about the sport like Bryn to help make it happen. I probably got to know Bryn best when we would share the train to Rye House on Sundays in the early nineties. Often we had a two minute connection at Broxbourne. He always managed to fit a quick Superkings in... Bryn's abilities as an announcer and presenter have been rightly praised as he rightly earned a reputation as a 'safe pair of hands'. I well recall his huge and thankless efforts to get some atmosphere going in the rebuilt London Stadium during the London Lions' brief existence. In 2001 my wife and I escaped London to find refuge in the west, seeking to build a new life away from the stresses of life in the capital. I was determined to keep involved in speedway. My first meeting was at Swindon - announcer Bryn Williams. My second meeting was at Wolverhampton. First in the queue, Bryn Williams. There really was no escape. The last time I met Bryn was a couple of years ago at Blunsdon. You knew even if the Hammers weren't going to put on much of a show it was a chance to see an old friend. Shocked and saddened by how the ravages of illness had claimed him it was good to talk over old times and get some insight into what was going on behind the scenes. Bryn though was never indiscreet - always loyal to the sport he loved. Bryn Williams probably loved speedway more than anyone I've ever met in the sport. Realistic but never cynical he retained an ability to see the good side of the sport he served and I can't remember him every complaining about it or writing it off as so many feel compelled to do. That's not to say he couldn't see its faults - he just put them in perspective and kept on helping. Bryn, it's hard to accept that I won't be bumping into you in some speedway office somewhere, just doing something useful, usually in the background. No more quick Superkings, no more reassurance that the sport at its heart was still worth fighting for, and no more requests for a lift. I wish I could have offered more of the latter. I can't think of too many non-drivers who managed to get about as much as you. Thanks for being one of the good guys and I hope you now have a season ticket and free travel to every track on the planet up there. It's true that so often you don't know what you had until they're gone. Thank you for so much. Goodbye. 31 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
screm 7,988 Posted December 28, 2016 Condolences to all family and friends. RIP Bryn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Stadia 1,062 Posted December 28, 2016 Sad news. RIP Bryn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted December 28, 2016 It's never easy to deal with a situation like this, especially at this time of year, and my heart goes out to Bryn's family. As for his friends, well there are simply too many to mention within the sport for there are few people who have not benefitted from his work, usually behind the scenes at speedway. Walking into a speedway office and finding Bryn helping out was just too regular a sight to register sometimes, especially in London. You knew he'd be helping out somewhere. Our paths crossed many times and despite our respective Rye House and Crayford sympathies I think we reached a truce a long way back. It was at London Road where I first noticed this smart-looking chap in a suit looking rather out of place in the supporters' club kiosk, Bryn having not had the time to change out of his office garb on those Tuesday nights. There was a fair bit of verbal rivalry between him and the Rockets' supporters, especially after we'd won yet again at the 'budgies' home. Then I got involved in speedway on a more formal basis and inevitably grew to know Bryn properly. I remember turning up at the Speedway Mail offices clutching my first copy for the magazine, only top find Bryn beavering away, helping out Tony and John. When Crayford moved into Hackney I got to see just how much work Bryn was doing behind the scenes, not just editing and selling 'Kestrel News' which someone mentioned earlier did so much to smooth over the merger pains with Hawks fans upset at losing their team and the Kestrels' equivalent distraught at losing their track. It can't have been an easy marriage and it took people who cared about the sport like Bryn to help make it happen. I probably got to know Bryn best when we would share the train to Rye House on Sundays in the early nineties. Often we had a two minute connection at Broxbourne. He always managed to fit a quick Superkings in... Bryn's abilities as an announcer and presenter have been rightly praised as he rightly earned a reputation as a 'safe pair of hands'. I well recall his huge and thankless efforts to get some atmosphere going in the rebuilt London Stadium during the London Lions' brief existence. In 2001 my wife and I escaped London to find refuge in the west, seeking to build a new life away from the stresses of life in the capital. I was determined to keep involved in speedway. My first meeting was at Swindon - announcer Bryn Williams. My second meeting was at Wolverhampton. First in the queue, Bryn Williams. There really was no escape. The last time I met Bryn was a couple of years ago at Blunsdon. You knew even if the Hammers weren't going to put on much of a show it was a chance to see an old friend. Shocked and saddened by how the ravages of illness had claimed him it was good to talk over old times and get some insight into what was going on behind the scenes. Bryn though was never indiscreet - always loyal to the sport he loved. Bryn Williams probably loved speedway more than anyone I've ever met in the sport. Realistic but never cynical he retained an ability to see the good side of the sport he served and I can't remember him every complaining about it or writing it off as so many feel compelled to do. That's not to say he couldn't see its faults - he just put them in perspective and kept on helping. Bryn, it's hard to accept that I won't be bumping into you in some speedway office somewhere, just doing something useful, usually in the background. No more quick Superkings, no more reassurance that the sport at its heart was still worth fighting for, and no more requests for a lift. I wish I could have offered more of the latter. I can't think of too many non-drivers who managed to get about as much as you. Thanks for being one of the good guys and I hope you now have a season ticket and free travel to every track on the planet up there. It's true that so often you don't know what you had until they're gone. Thank you for so much. Goodbye. A beautiful and moving tribute Rob. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gbrussell 27 Posted December 28, 2016 (edited) Just awoken in Sydney Australia to hear the sad news of Bryn's passing. Highly respected in this part of the world from his many trips out here to Oz, where he was very popular and a good drinking mate to many.I Met Bryn at Gosford Speedway and also at the Jason Crump tribute dinner after Jason won his first world title in 2005. I will also remember he was there to help young Aussie riders when they first arrived at the IOW. Absolutely great bloke, with speedway knowledge and a passion second to none. I will also remember his passion for Welsh Rugby and the delight in his voice when Wales defeated England. Will think of you Bryn the next time that happens.Sincere best wishes to his family and friends at this sad time.R.I.P. My Welsh friend.Glenn Russell (Former Gosford Speedway Announcer). Edited December 28, 2016 by gbrussell 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Clemens 646 Posted December 28, 2016 I don't think I ever met Bryn but from what I know of him he was a noble gentleman 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roguetrader 51 Posted December 28, 2016 Really sad to hear of Bryn's passing. What a true Gentleman and an out and out speedway legend. Rest in Peace Bryn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martinmauger 584 Posted December 28, 2016 Big shame, never knew Bryn but saw plenty of his video presentations and he was very knowledgable and enthusiastic about speedway. RIP.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
womble53 359 Posted December 28, 2016 (edited) Bryn was a top man, and a great friend of Speedway. He was one of life's characters who, despite his debilitating illness, could be found anywhere around the country and, in the past, around the world, watching speedway. I first ran into him on the Isle of Wight, when the Rebels visited Smallbrook, where he was the track announcer, amongst other things, and along with Ian Belcher, he invited us both into the referee's box to partake in some Bread Pudding, which he was particularly fond of. I recall that Christina Turnbull was the referee that night, and when it was time for the meeting to start, we were about to depart the box, but Bryn wouldn't hear of it & insisted we stay. We spent most of the evening enjoying Bryn & Christina's banter & their company throughout the meeting. It was a wonderfully enjoyable evening, and one that was repeated several times afterwards. Whenever the Rebels were on the Island, a message would be broadcast over the tannoy, asking Ian & myself to go to the referee's box, and sure enough the Bread Pudding would be waiting, and would be offered up as we entered the box. Since that day, it has always been a pleasure to run into Bryn around the country, and on one particular occasion I was visiting my parents in Stockport, and my wife & I had a night at Kirkmansulme Lane to watch the Aces v Lakeside. It was a truly, truly awful match, with the evening only rescued by a chance encounter with Bryn in the car park as we were leaving. He was the last person I expected to run into, although I probably shouldn't have, but the pleasure was all mine, and I went away much happier for having seen him than I would have done had our paths not crossed . That was Bryn Williams, here, there & everywhere to watch speedway, and always with time to stop & chat. I heard that he was in hospital shortly after he had been admitted, and called in to see him a week ago on the Monday just gone, after getting off the train back from Brussels, just up the road at Ebbsfleet. I hadn't seen him for some time, so was a little shocked at how his illness had treated him recently, but under it all was the same old Bryn, sharp as a tack & funny. I also had the pleasure of meeting his brother Gareth, who was also there visiting. Although we couldn't stay long, as we were still 3 to 4 hours from home, it was a visit I'll cherish, and won't ever forget. Bryn was a top fellah, who will be missed by a great many around the Speedway World, and I feel privileged that he let me into his world on that visit to the Island, and my life has been richer for knowing him. My thoughts go out to Carys, Andy, Gareth and the rest of the family RIP Bryn Edited December 28, 2016 by womble53 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites