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10 Facts About Idwal Robling

1.

James Idwal Robling was a Welsh sports commentator, who worked for the BBC in Wales for almost 40 years.

2.

Idwal Robling's education was interrupted by the Second World War, and upon being called up was accepted for service in the Royal Navy.

3.

Idwal Robling was an outstanding amateur footballer, and was part of the Great Britain squad for the 1952 Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki.

4.

Idwal Robling won 13 caps as an amateur international for Wales, and captained the team on one occasion.

5.

Idwal Robling played for Lovell's Athletic, his company's works team which played at a high level in the semi-professional Southern League.

6.

Idwal Robling commentated on many Wales' international matches, including Wales' home defeat in the 1978 World Cup Qualifier against Scotland when a controversial refereeing decision saw the Scots being given a late penalty.

7.

Idwal Robling returned to the BBC in an off-screen role as a producer on the Scrum V and Sport Wales programmes, and was still working there until a few months before his death.

8.

Idwal Robling died in Newport, aged 84, following a short illness.

9.

Idwal Robling was married with a son and two daughters.

10.

Idwal Robling's grandson Lewis Robling is a professional rugby union player.