Thomas Raymond (Ray) Prosser was born in Pontypool in 1928. He started his rugby career by playing for Pontypool United in 1950-51. He then played for Pontypool Rugby Football Club from 1951 playing 300 games in the second row and was Captain from 1956-58. He was selected for the British Lions 1959 tour of Australia, New Zealand and Canada. He also played for Wales as prop on 22 occasions, scoring a try against France at the Stade Colombes in Paris in March 1957. He retired from playing in 1961 but returned as Coach from 1969-1987. During this period Pontypool RFC were Welsh Club Champions five times, won the Merit Table seven times and the lifted the WRU Challenge Cup in 1983. He also produced seven British Lions and eleven Welsh Internationals, including three captains. Also during this period Pontypool RFC held the World record for the most number of points scored in a season.