TV's Repair Shop fixes ruined historic rugby shirt
Karen Richards could not believe it when she put her late father-in-law's precious international rugby jersey in the washing machine - and it came out damaged.
Bryan Richards, who grew up in Skewen, Neath Port Talbot, was the last Wales player to wear a number six shirt as a fly-half, which made it a piece of sporting history.
After going through the wash the red from the shirt ran into the white collar, and things got worse when Karen tried to bleach it.
She and husband Lloyd Richards, who live in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, tried in vain to find someone to fix it - until as a last resort they decided to call BBC One's The Repair Shop.
"My heart sank, it was such a precious family heirloom and I had ruined it," mum-of-two Karen said.
The devastated 51-year-old said she felt she had done a disservice to Bryan, who died aged 91 in December 2023.
He wore the shirt against France at Cardiff Arms Park on 26 March 1960.
Then they got The Repair Shop involved.
"Within three or four weeks we were down there," said Lloyd, 56.
Rebecca Bissonnet restored the shirt on the show by examining the red stitching, which would have matched the jersey.
The textile conservator believed the stitching was polyester so unaffected by the bleaching.
After removing the six, the collar and the three feathers she dyed the top its original red.
'I understand why Coote hid his sexuality' - Owens
'My alligator has escaped' among 999 ambulance calls
Welsh tech billionaire son's film up for 10 Oscars
A piece of grainy footage of Bryan playing was also restored on the programme.
Bryan had told his son he would train by running up and down the slag heaps behind his house.
As well as Wales, he played for Neath, the Barbarians and captained Swansea.
But the pinnacle of his rugby career was playing for his country, mortgage adviser Lloyd said.
The jersey now has pride of place in a clear acrylic box in Lloyd's home office.
Karen said Bryan would have been "a bit bemused by it all".
"He didn't really tell anyone about his experiences," she said.
The couple were delighted to have the jersey looking as good as new.
"Never for one minute did I think it was going to look as good as it does," Karen said.
The Repair Shop is on on BBC One at 20:00 GMT on Wednesdays and on BBC iPlayer
Cardiff tourism tax could help host events - leader
Knighthood for Welsh rugby great Gerald Davies
Call for danger warnings to rugby parents over dementia fears
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Black sports trailblazer Billy Boston, 90, becomes rugby league's first knight
Associated Press Billy Boston, who blazed a trail for Black sportspeople in Britain during the 1950s and '60s, became the first rugby league player to receive a knighthood in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The 90-year-old Boston was given his knighthood at an investiture ahead of the official announcement of King Charles' birthday honors this week. It was brought forward amid concerns for Boston's health, Britain's Press Association reported. Born in the Welsh capital Cardiff, Boston is one of the greatest players in the history of rugby league, the 13-man code that split 130 years ago from the more widely played 15-a-side rugby union. He played 488 times for Wigan from 1953-68 and finished his career with a British-record haul of 571 tries. He also became the first Black player to represent Britain on the Lions tour Down Under in 1954, scoring 36 tries in 18 appearances in Australia and New Zealand, and featured in a total of 31 international test matches. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Boston as a 'true trailblazer who's contributed hugely to rugby league.' 'Boston is a legend of the game who overcame prejudice to represent Great Britain and opened the door to a more diverse game," added Starmer, who wrote personally to Boston to congratulate him. 'He's left a truly enduring legacy and the first knighthood in rugby league could not go to a more deserving player.' Boston's honor came after a sustained campaign by local councillors and lawmakers as well as leading figures in rugby league, who have frequently pointed out the relative lack of recognition for the code — played largely in the north of England — compared to rugby union, which has seen 20 knights anointed. 'It is a historic wrong," Starmer said, "that a sport which is the backbone of so many communities has waited so long to receive this honor." Wigan owner Mike Danson said he was 'thrilled' by Boston's award, describing it as 'a richly deserved honor which means this most humble of men rightly receives, at last, fitting recognition for his extraordinary efforts." Boston, whose father was from west African country Sierra Leone, has been living with dementia. ___ AP sports: recommended
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Black sports trailblazer Billy Boston, 90, becomes rugby league's first knight
Billy Boston, who blazed a trail for Black sportspeople in Britain during the 1950s and '60s, became the first rugby league player to receive a knighthood in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The 90-year-old Boston was given his knighthood at an investiture ahead of the official announcement of King Charles' birthday honors this week. It was brought forward amid concerns for Boston's health, Britain's Press Association reported. Born in the Welsh capital Cardiff, Boston is one of the greatest players in the history of rugby league, the 13-man code that split 130 years ago from the more widely played 15-a-side rugby union. He played 488 times for Wigan from 1953-68 and finished his career with a British-record haul of 571 tries. He also became the first Black player to represent Britain on the Lions tour Down Under in 1954, scoring 36 tries in 18 appearances in Australia and New Zealand, and featured in a total of 31 international test matches. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Boston as a 'true trailblazer who's contributed hugely to rugby league.' 'Boston is a legend of the game who overcame prejudice to represent Great Britain and opened the door to a more diverse game," added Starmer, who wrote personally to Boston to congratulate him. 'He's left a truly enduring legacy and the first knighthood in rugby league could not go to a more deserving player.' Boston's honor came after a sustained campaign by local councillors and lawmakers as well as leading figures in rugby league, who have frequently pointed out the relative lack of recognition for the code — played largely in the north of England — compared to rugby union, which has seen 20 knights anointed. 'It is a historic wrong," Starmer said, "that a sport which is the backbone of so many communities has waited so long to receive this honor." Wigan owner Mike Danson said he was 'thrilled' by Boston's award, describing it as 'a richly deserved honor which means this most humble of men rightly receives, at last, fitting recognition for his extraordinary efforts."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bellamy's Wales make whirlwind impact by prioritising pride over patience
It was perhaps the best indicator of an unforgettable evening and, fortunately, even in defeat, there was a happy ending. The supporter who went tumbling from the upper tier to the lower tier as he celebrated Wales pulling level at 3-3 against Belgium on Monday, having trailed 3-0 after 27 minutes, was treated at hospital and got off lightly, the only lasting damage a minor broken bone in his back. 'Sore this morning, mind,' 29-year-old Scott Rees posted on social media. Another supporter, in Block B of the King Baudouin Stadium, saw his wallet gain wings after Brennan Johnson's headed equaliser. It was that kind of night in Brussels. It was a strange one, too, given it was hard for any of the 4,500 travelling supporters to be too downbeat despite ultimately losing the game 4-3, an unmarked Kevin De Bruyne bypassing Johnson to ghost in at the back post to snatch an 88th-minute winner. It was not a defeat without any ramifications – Wales are now second in Group J behind North Macedonia and Belgium will surely be favourites to qualify for the World Cup from here – but it was one where pride quickly trumped any disappointment. Stoke's Sorba Thomas perhaps put it best. 'They thought it was done,' said the winger. 'We showed the Welsh fight, the Welsh fire.' Advertisement Related: Craig Bellamy hails Wales's spirit after 'crazy' 4-3 defeat against Belgium Craig Bellamy was uncomfortable with his first defeat since taking charge almost 12 months ago being painted as a brave loss, but he was delighted with the way his players responded to Jérémy Doku, whose quick feet troubled Wales throughout, making it 3-0. 'I don't like losing, I understand the game but how you lose is more important,' said the Wales manager. 'Who are you as a person? Who is your team? I see that and I'm beyond proud. We're a good team.' As Ben Davies, the Wales captain who recently extended his stay at Tottenham, led his teammates towards the away end after the final whistle, Bellamy was engrossed in conversation with Romelu Lukaku, having enjoyed a word with De Bruyne and Doku. Bellamy did not divulge the details but said those conversations included Belgium's big-hitters acknowledging Wales's endearing approach when many would have considered it an exercise in damage limitation. This time last year Wales were fresh off a 4-0 pasting by Slovakia which ultimately cost Bellamy's predecessor and former teammate, Rob Page, his job. That was three days after an experimental side laboured to a 0-0 draw against Gibraltar, then 203rd in the Fifa rankings. It is impossible not to recognise the strides Wales have taken under Bellamy. Asked whether they were ahead of schedule on the eve of the Belgium game, the 45-year-old was keen to downplay the turnaround before eventually caving in. '[With] the speed of progress, yeah. I was trying to not but, of course,' he said. Advertisement Bellamy does not indulge in managerial cliche – just listen to his existential life advice on the eve of the game – and nor does he have time for buzzwords. He cuts to the chase. His record is now one slender, late defeat across 10 matches. 'I just think it shows, all the time we're always asking for time, asking to be patient, it's a process, blah, blah, blah,' he said. 'Get to work. That's it. Players are cleverer than you think. Players are good footballers. Let them be good footballers. Give them the tools. Work. Run. Press. React. Lose it, get it back.' The manager highlighted how both teams gained momentum from the opposition failing to absorb the setback of conceding penalties, both of which were questionable, the first against Johnson for handball and the second against Matz Sels, for colliding with Chris Mepham. Defeat in Belgium will not sit heavy on Bellamy or his players and they will aim to build on the wave of momentum generated by a promising start to qualifying. 'This is like a one-off opportunity for me, I'm only going to be the Wales manager for a short period and it's an honour,' Bellamy said. 'This was the one I always wanted to do so I'm going to enjoy every second. I read something in the Belgium media … 'Easy way to the USA?' There's a lot of life in this group and I saw a lot of life in this team. We ain't going anywhere. I will have a couple of weeks now of recharging. I'm beyond proud and just really excited about the future.'
