The Boy from Mynydd Who Played for Great Britain
From village beginnings to international honours, Gordon Lewis carved out a remarkable rugby legacy.
for Great Britain R.L.
From the quiet Carmarthenshire village of Mynydd-y-Garreg to the grand stages of British rugby league, Gordon Lewis’s story is one of talent, determination and a career that bridged rugby’s great divide.
Born on 23 June 1936 and bred in Mynydd-y-Garreg, Lewis quickly established himself as an outstanding rugby player. His early promise was evident in rugby union, where he played at centre for Swansea RFC between 1956 and 1958. So highly regarded was his ability that many in Welsh rugby circles believed he would have won full international honours for Wales had he remained an amateur.
October 19th 1951
Instead, like many gifted Welsh backs of his era, Lewis made the bold decision to turn professional and head north to rugby league — a move that would define his sporting life.
Joining Leigh in 1958, Gordon Lewis went on to become one of the club’s most enduring and respected figures. Over 13 seasons with Leigh, he made an extraordinary 386 appearances, scoring 112 tries and amassing a total of 336 points. His consistency, toughness and footballing intelligence made him a fixture in the side and a favourite among supporters. He later added a further 20 appearances with Swinton before retiring in 1973, bringing his career total to 406 games.
October 1958
March 7th 1959
March 7th 1959
Lewis’s influence was not confined to club rugby. On the international stage, he earned five caps for Wales Rugby League between 1959 and 1970 and had the honour of captaining his country, becoming Wales RL’s 27th skipper. In 1965, he reached the pinnacle of the professional game when he was selected to represent Great Britain against New Zealand — a rare and prestigious achievement for any player.
Great Britain October 1965
He also appeared in several notable finals for Leigh, including the 1963–64 Lancashire Cup Final and the 1967–68 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final at Headingley, matches that showcased rugby league on a national television stage during its growing popularity.
Before his professional switch, Lewis’s rugby union career had already raised eyebrows. There remains strong anecdotal evidence that his path might have taken a very different turn. It is said that Lewis and his Swansea centre partner, Len Davies of Trimsaran, were considered superior to the established centres at Llanelli and even in the Wales setup of the time — a situation that allegedly made them unwelcome at Stradey Park. Instead, the pair flourished at Swansea, a partnership fondly remembered by those who saw them play. Len Davies, while perhaps less known to modern fans, is remembered today as the father of former Wales, Wales RL and Great Britain star Jonathan Davies.
After retirement, Gordon Lewis settled in Leigh, where he still lives with his wife Pamela. Together they raised two children, Anne and Anthony, and today enjoy the company of four grandchildren — Samantha, Matthew, Alexandra and Francesca.
From Mynydd-y-Garreg to Great Britain honours, Gordon Lewis’s career stands as a testament to Welsh rugby talent and to a generation of players whose choices shaped not only their own lives, but the history of the game itself.
Final thought: for any rugby player to make more than 400 appearances in 14 years is an extraordinary achievement — but in the unforgiving, brutal arena of top-flight rugby league, it can only be described as truly legendary.
(Acknowledgments… The Lewis Family, The Arthur Lewis Collection, Kidwelly RFC, Mr Lynn Price, Oldham Rugby League Trust, Mynydd y Garreg Hall)
(article/associated image created be Garry Smith/Alfiepics)
