Roy Francis, the first black man to play for Great Britain and the first black head coach of a British top-tier professional rugby league team, received recognition in his hometown. The unveiling ceremony was attended by family members and former players, including rugby union and league international Jonathan Davies.

Roy Francis began his rugby career with Brynmawr RFC in rugby union before switching to rugby league with Wigan in 1936. He later played for Barrow and made history by becoming the first black player to represent Great Britain in 1947. Francis concluded his playing career with an impressive record of 229 tries in 356 games.

Transitioning to coaching, Roy Francis achieved notable success with teams such as Hull and Leeds. His coaching methods, including filming games and personalized player diets, were innovative for his time.

While his pioneering contributions were recognized more recently, with an induction into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, the monument in Brynmawr stands as a lasting tribute to his groundbreaking role in rugby league history, inspiring future generations and celebrating his historical significance in the sport.