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Gordon Britton

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Gordon Britton

1939 – 2026 · aged 87 · Rugby union player

“A Risca man who wore Newport's black and amber 212 times and once the red of Wales.”

Portrait: Newport RFC

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Gordon Britton was a Welsh rugby union player who spent a decade with Newport RFC, making 212 appearances for the Black and Ambers between 1959 and 1969 and winning one cap for Wales. A versatile back from Risca, he was a policeman by profession and a member of Newport sides…

Gordon Britton was a Welsh rugby union player who spent a decade with Newport RFC, making 212 appearances for the Black and Ambers between 1959 and 1969 and winning one cap for Wales. A versatile back from Risca, he was a policeman by profession and a member of Newport sides during one of the club's finest eras.

Gordon Richard Britton was born in Risca, Monmouthshire, on 10 September 1939. He was educated at Pontymister Secondary School and played for his home town club, Risca RFC, before joining Newport in 1959.

At Rodney Parade he played mainly in the centre, but also appeared on the wing, at full back and at outside half. In 212 games for Newport he scored 36 tries and five drop goals. His form brought him to the attention of the Wales selectors, and in the 1961 Five Nations Championship, aged 21, he was picked in the centre against Scotland at Murrayfield. Wales lost 3-0, and it proved to be his only cap.

In 1966 he was part of the Newport team that drew with the touring Australians. Late in that match he took a heavy knock to the head after being tackled by three Wallabies and had breathing difficulties. The Newport club doctor gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the pitch before he was taken to hospital with concussion, an incident widely reported at the time as the "kiss of life". He recovered and continued playing for the club until 1969.

Britton played in the amateur era and combined first class rugby with his work as a police officer. His single international appearance later earned him a place in WalesOnline's list of the national team's one-cap players, which recalled both his Murrayfield outing and his narrow escape against the Wallabies.

In April 2019 Britton was one of eight players inducted into the Newport RFC Hall of Fame at the club's eighth hall of fame dinner at Rodney Parade.

Newport RFC announced his death on 8 November 2026. He was 87. The club described him as "a fantastic player who represented the club during one of its finest eras" and sent its sympathies to his family and friends.

Biography adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0), Newport RFC, South Wales Argus and WalesOnline. Wikipedia ↗

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Gordon Britton in Newport RFC colours
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87 is a good long innings. Never saw him play, only read about that Newport side of the 60s after a rugby history page flagged his death, 212 games is a serious career. Thinking of his family tonight.

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Early life

Gordon Richard Britton was born on 10 September 1939 in Risca, Monmouthshire, in south east Wales. He was educated at Pontymister Secondary School and began his senior rugby with his home town club, Risca RFC.

Gordon Richard Britton was born on 10 September 1939 in Risca, Monmouthshire, in south east Wales. He was educated at Pontymister Secondary School and began his senior rugby with his home town club, Risca RFC.

Rugby career

Britton joined Newport RFC from Risca in 1959 and played for the club until 1969, making 212 appearances and scoring 36 tries and five drop goals. Primarily a centre, he also played on the wing, at full back and at outside half. His performances for Newport led to selection for Wales, and aged 21 he won his only cap, playing…

Britton joined Newport RFC from Risca in 1959 and played for the club until 1969, making 212 appearances and scoring 36 tries and five drop goals. Primarily a centre, he also played on the wing, at full back and at outside half.

His performances for Newport led to selection for Wales, and aged 21 he won his only cap, playing in the centre against Scotland at Murrayfield in the 1961 Five Nations Championship. Wales lost the match 3-0, and he was not selected again, making him one of the national team's one-cap players.

In 1966 he played for Newport against the touring Australian side, a match that ended in a draw. Late in the game he was tackled by three Australian players and suffered a blow to the head. Because he had difficulty breathing, the Newport club doctor gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the pitch, and he was taken to hospital with concussion. The Daily Mirror reported the incident under the headline "Another Rugby Man Gets 'Kiss Of Life'". He returned to play for Newport for several more seasons.

Personal life

Away from rugby, Britton worked as a policeman, combining his job with first class rugby in the amateur era. He remained connected with Risca, his birthplace. Further details of his family life were not included in public reports of his death.

Away from rugby, Britton worked as a policeman, combining his job with first class rugby in the amateur era. He remained connected with Risca, his birthplace. Further details of his family life were not included in public reports of his death.

Death

Newport RFC announced on 8 November 2026 that Gordon Britton had died. He was 87. The exact date, place and cause of death were not stated. The club said it was saddened to hear of the passing of its Hall of Fame player, calling him "a fantastic player who represented the club during one of its finest eras", and offered…

Newport RFC announced on 8 November 2026 that Gordon Britton had died. He was 87. The exact date, place and cause of death were not stated. The club said it was saddened to hear of the passing of its Hall of Fame player, calling him "a fantastic player who represented the club during one of its finest eras", and offered its sympathies to his family and friends.

Legacy

Britton is remembered as one of Newport's dependable backs of the 1960s, a player whose versatility allowed him to fill almost every position behind the scrum. In April 2019 he was inducted into the Newport RFC Hall of Fame alongside Roger Bidgood, Sven Cronk, Ken Davies, Tom England, Del Haines, Jerry Shea and Geoff Whitson. His single Wales cap against…

Britton is remembered as one of Newport's dependable backs of the 1960s, a player whose versatility allowed him to fill almost every position behind the scrum. In April 2019 he was inducted into the Newport RFC Hall of Fame alongside Roger Bidgood, Sven Cronk, Ken Davies, Tom England, Del Haines, Jerry Shea and Geoff Whitson. His single Wales cap against Scotland in 1961 places him on the list of Wales international rugby union players.

Questions people ask about Gordon

Who was Gordon Britton?
Gordon Britton was a Welsh rugby union player from Risca who made 212 appearances for Newport RFC between 1959 and 1969 and won one cap for Wales in 1961.
When did Gordon Britton die?
Newport RFC announced his death on 8 November 2026.
How old was Gordon Britton?
He was 87. He was born on 10 September 1939.
How did Gordon Britton die?
The cause of death was not made public.
How many caps did Gordon Britton win for Wales?
One, against Scotland at Murrayfield in the 1961 Five Nations Championship, when he played in the centre aged 21.
What position did Gordon Britton play?
He was primarily a centre but also played on the wing, at full back and at outside half.
What happened to Gordon Britton against Australia in 1966?
After a heavy tackle late in Newport's match against the touring Wallabies he had breathing difficulties and was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by the club doctor, then taken to hospital with concussion.
Was Gordon Britton in the Newport Hall of Fame?
Yes. He was inducted into the Newport RFC Hall of Fame in April 2019.

Written by People Forever from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) and the reporting cited. Updated . Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Timeline

  1. 10 September 1939
    Born in Risca, Wales
  2. 10 September 1939
    Born in Risca, Monmouthshire
  3. 1 January 1959
    Joins Newport RFC from Risca RFC
  4. 1 January 1961
    Wins his only Wales cap, against Scotland at Murrayfield
  5. 1 January 1966
    Plays for Newport in a draw with the touring Australians
  6. 1 January 1969
    Ends his Newport career after 212 appearances
  7. 1 April 2019
    Inducted into the Newport RFC Hall of Fame
  8. 8 November 2026
    Death announced by Newport RFC
  9. 8 November 2026
    Died
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