A COACH considered years ahead of his time is to be immortalised today – and he used to play for Warrington Wolves.

A monument in honour of ‘visionary’ Roy Francis will be unveiled by two other former Wire Welsh rugby legends, Jonathan Davies and Mike Nicholas, in Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale at 1pm.

Cardiff-born Francis played in Warrington’s 13-12 Championship Final loss to Huddersfield at Maine Road, Manchester, in 1949 – one of 37 appearances for the club over a 14 months period.

Now, Francis is considered one of Wales Rugby League’s greatest head coaches of all time and it is felt the memorial and ceremony, organised by the Brynmawr Museum, has been a long time coming.

Francis was born in 1919 and raised in Brynmawr.

After a brief stint in rugby union, he switched codes and signed for Wigan – a move which would leave a player unwelcome to return to the 15-man code at the time.

He spent time with Barrow either side of World War Two, a period in which he guested for Dewsbury, before continuing his playing career with Warrington and finally Hull.

Francis scored 225 tries in 346 club games, represented Wales five times and won one Great Britain cap against New Zealand at Odsal where he scored two tries.

It was thought that it was the colour of his skin that prevented him from being a Lions tourist, a political issue due to a ‘White Australia’ policy at the time.

After hanging up his boots, Francis then became one of the most innovative coaches ever.

His man-management, coaching methods, which included gymnasium work and video analysis, both a rarity for that period, and use of psychological techniques were considered years ahead of their time.

He was also the first coach to embrace players’ families and offer them transport to games.

Francis coached Hull FC from 1955-63, Leeds from 1963-68, North Sydney Bears from 1969-70, Leeds again from 1974-75 and Bradford Northern from 1975-77. He also spent three years as team manager of Hull FC from 1970-73.

When coaching Hull, he led them to the League Championship in 1956 and 1958, and at Leeds to the title in 1974 and a Challenge Cup win in 1968 in the match commonly known as “The Watersplash Final”.

His spell in charge at North Sydney was less of a happy one due to the racism he encountered.

He died on April 6, 1989, in Leeds, aged 70.

THE ROY FRANCIS LECTURE: FASCINATING INSIGHT INTO HIS LIFE AND CAREER

Ian Haywood, founder of the Roy Francis monument, said: “Robert Gate, author of ‘Gone North, Volumes 1 and 2’, stated that over 900 players left Wales to play rugby league in the north. They wouldn’t get a warm reception if they returned.

“Things are different now and we’re able to celebrate his life and learn from the legacy that he left behind.”

John Hill, director and treasurer of the Brynmawr and District Museum, said: “We are delighted that this project is finally coming to fruition and that Brynmawr will now have a fitting memorial to the life and achievements of this remarkable man.”

Mike Nicholas, president of Wales Rugby League, said: “I’m delighted to be part of this unveiling. Roy was an innovative visionary and had a pastoral outlook to the sport. Others followed but he was the start of modern coaching methods.”