The stories of rugby legend Charlie Faulkner shared for the first time

As the last legend from the 1970s Wales rugby team to break his silence, the late Charlie Faulkner shares stories of his life and playing career for the first time in a new book published by Y Lolfa, ‘Charlie Faulkner – the 1 and only’.

Charlie Faulkner co-wrote the book with award-winning writer/TV producer Greg Lewis, before his death in February 2023. 

Author Greg Lewis said, “Completing this book after his death was obviously a challenge, but his family was determined that his story be told and I’d like to thank them for their support.

“It’s a story of struggle and courage, often against the odds: Charlie was nearly 34 before he got a cap but he fought for it, made the iconic Number 1 jersey his own, and the rest is history.

“Hard as nails on the field, he was humble off it. But he wanted to tell his story.

The book will briefly look at his background, upbringing, and early years in rugby, before moving on to concentrate on the glory years with Pontypool, Wales and the 1977 Lions, and his time as a coach with Newport and Cardiff.

“He also discusses his Pontypool and Wales colleagues, his favourite players (comrades and opponents) and his take on the game today.”

As well as his memories, the book also include tributes from several of his fellow legendary players including Sir Gareth Edwards CBE, current Welsh Rugby Union president Gerald Davies and fellow front row props, Graham Price and Bobby Windsor.

In his tribute, and foreword to the book, Sir Gareth Edwards CBE says, “The Pontypool pack was notorious before that special front row made it into the Welsh team. They had a no-nonsense style of play and were as hard as anything nature can produce.

“I knew I wanted Charlie, Graham Price and Bobby Windsor together in our team…their names might not have been on the scoreboard, but they were the reason that our names and the points were there. We were lifted by their efforts.

“As a scrum half, few people saw them in action up closer than myself. That’s why I know Charlie’s worth for that Wales team of the golden age.”

Fellow front row player, Graham Price, also shares a tribute to Charlie in the book. He said, “We had our own little motto at scrum time, thought up by Charlie: ‘We may go up, we may go down, but we never go back’.

“It was an incredible period, on and off the pitch. The memories will never leave. Charlie was in a class of his own at loosehead prop.”