Denziel Watts
It was Andy Dunn who introduced Denziel to the club in the early 70’s.
Denziel recruited John Littleford who in turn brought me and that was
the start of a 48 year friendship.
Denziel had a long playing career as a tight head. He was a good
scrummager but also felt he was blessed with a good pair of hands. He
wasn’t averse to throwing the odd dummy and thought he possessed the
pass of a welsh scrum half. He actually represented the club at scrum
half on more than one occasion.
Denziel was always a straight talker and said it as he saw it. If you’d
had a good game he told you so and if you’d played badly he also let you
know! Towards the end of his playing career he captained a very
successful 3rd/4th team. He ran it as if it was a professional team and
he gave little quarter to any player who might not be blessed with his
skill. I remember one particular game where our winger had a
particularly poor first half. In his half time team talk Denziel told
him he’d had a poor game and was being subbed off ( I’ve modified his
language somewhat here!). On being reminded that we had no subs Denziel
said we would play with 14 and the poor winger could watch the second
half and learn. After the match Denziel bought him beer put his arm
round him and said it was all part of his development.
In addition to being a long standing player Denziel had a spell as club
coach. He also had a significant role in the development of the new
changing rooms, resourcing materials and overseeing much of the building
work.
He loved the social aspect of the game and was never happier than when sinking pints after the game. He loved the club and it was a great
sadness to him that ill health stopped him visiting the club during the
last decade.
Diabetes robbed him of his mobility and sadly during the Covid lockdowns
Denziel had both legs amputated. He was just adjusting to life in a
wheelchair when a diabetes related illness meant another spell in
hospital, where he was finally taken by pneumonia.
Whether propping up the scrum, propping up the bar or listening to his
rendition of “cock Robin” you will all have your memories of Denziel!
May he live long in our memory.
Rest in Peace my friend.
Dave Broadfield. 25th February 2022.