John Davies was born into a mining family in Cwmafan, Port Talbot in 1948. He attended Glanafan Grammar School and worked for over 30 years as a chemist at BP Chemicals, Baglan Bay.
His association with Port Talbot Harriers began in 1967 when workmate and PTH Chairman, Derek Moss, persuaded him to join. John was the Glamorgan Youths 800m Champion in his first season. Other sports and family commitments meant a break until 1983 when he rejoined the club.
Since then, the roles he has undertaken at PTH have been: co-founder, with Kevin Corcoran, and organiser of club championships; author of the Paperchase newsletter; press officer; photographer; Gwent XC men’s team manager; race organiser; Master’s T&F team manager; Kit secretary; membership secretary; minutes secretary; presentation night organiser; treasurer and timekeeper.
He was twice club veteran champion; Welsh Masters champion in many T&F events; ranked 1st in Welsh javelin and 4th in UK javelin M55; president of Welsh Masters 2000-2004 and was selected to represent Welsh Masters seventeen times; treasurer of the Gwent Cross Country League 2016-2020.
Currently, he is a qualified Welsh Athletics track and field judge, timekeeper, endurance official, race referee and adjudicator; he is also a life member, trustee and president of Port Talbot Harriers.
— Written by John Davies