Cardiff Legend Retires

Dan Baugh
By Andrew Collins
December 7 2005

Cardiff rugby hero, Dan Baugh, has announced his official retirement from rugby. The legend will be rememvered amungst fans for incredible performances and his sheer will to win with Cardiff.

At 31, he takes up a assistant conditioning coach role while also studying in UWIC university. His retirement comes following 18 months out from rugby due to a stress-fracture in his left foot.

As recently as September, Dan still believed he could and would be back to feature for the Blues, but truthfully, his career was probably already over.

Baugh signed for Cardiff in 1998 after spending 6 months with Cardiff under the name Ban Brown for registration reasons. dan was recomended to coach Alex Evens by fellow hall of famer, John Humphreys following a spat of long term injuries in the back row mid way through 97/98 season. Baugh was on a 6 month trial, and has since, never looked back.

On his retirement he said,

"Obviously it’s disappointing that I won’t be playing again but having discussed with Dai what is best for the squad and best for me "

Particular performances Dan will be remembered for include his back-to-back displays against Saracens. Other great memories include his tackle on two players again Llanelli in the Swalec Cup Semi-Final in 2001 and a huge tackle that saw him and the unfortunate reciever end up literally over the barrier of the South stand.

Dai Young praised his former team mate earlier today,

"Dan has been a catalyst for some excellent performances over the years at the Arms Park and always gave it his all on the pitch. He played the game the way it should be played, hard but fair, and he became a hero to the fans. Injuries take their toll on any sportsman and especially the way Dan plays. We are fortunate that he can bring his experience as a player to the field of coaching and he has taken to it with all the enthusiasm he had as a player."

Dan has confirmed he will carry on as coach and is looking forward to a bright future,

"I am delighted to still be involved with the coaching side. It is an area that I have been interested in and I have already taken my Level 2 Coaching Badge and studying for my Level 3. I am also studying for an MSCC/MA in Coaching Science at UWIC which is a lot of hard work but very enjoyable. I will always have fond memories of playing for Cardiff and the Blues especially at the Arms Park."

If Dan can ispire these players with half the enthusiam and love for rugby that he had, we would be back at the top of world rugby. Like the Keane of Man u or the Viera of Arsenal, Cardiff fans will have to bid their final farewell to a living legend.

Cheers Dan!