Rugby legend dies aged 73 after secret battle with motor neurone disease
Rugby legend Geoff Wheel has died aged 73 after a battle with Motor Neurone disease, it was announced today (26 December). The sportsman was known for being an iconic figure in Welsh rugby, earning 32 caps for his country throughout his career.
Geoff's former club, Swansea RFC, confirmed that he passed away this Boxing Day. In a post shared to the club's official Instagram page, the caption read: "All at Swansea RFC are very sad to hear of the passing of former Swansea and Wales and Barbarians forward Geoff Wheel. Capped 32 times by Wales and a Swansea player from 1970 to 1983, Geoff captained the club he loved so much for two seasons.
"A towering figure in the Swansea and Welsh pack, he was a mild mannered and sociable person off field. A minute silence will be observed at the Aberavon game on Saturday. Geoff had been suffering with Motor Neuron disease for some time and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this very difficult time".
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The club also shared a longer statement on their website, where they hailed Geoff's successful career and personality. In the statement, they shared that Geoff remained a fixture in the club even after being part of the team.
"Typically, Geoff remained the modest man he always had been and the whole team were the beneficiaries of this approach. Geoff wheel played his last match for Swansea fittingly at St Helen’s, on 2nd March 1983 against South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education. He remained a popular and ever present figure at the club and in later years became President of the AWFPA, also presenting the annual Bernard Cajot Award for the Young Player of the Year – named after his great friend and fellow ‘all white’ – to the new young men at Swansea RFC," read one section of the statement.
Geoff leaves behind his wife, Christine, who he would have celebrated 50 years of marriage with in 2025. The couple were a staple in the local community, particularly the local church; St Thomas Church, Swansea.
Following the news, the church shared a tribute to Geoff, which read: "To most of Wales he was a rugby legend, but to us he was our friend, organist, treasurer, trustee, food bank volunteer and boys brigade tuck shop salesman. He was the most humble man, always putting those around him first. He loved to serve the church in any way he could, from his musical talents to counting the kids on and off the bus on every trip. From giving free tuck away to the kids who didn’t bring money, to collecting the food from the foodbank. A fiercely loyal, talented and committed friend and church member. Totally committed too…and so proud to be…an Eastside boy.
"We can only imagine the joy in his eyes as he stands face to face with the saviour he has worshipped every day for such a long time in his life. Our prayers are with Christine and all the family".
