Former Neath RFC prop dies - just days after fundraising event
On Bank Holiday Friday, his former teammates played a match at The Gnoll
Just three days after Neath RFC hosted a special fundraising event for him, former club prop Martin Jones has died after a long illness.
On Bank Holiday Friday, his former teammates played a match at The Gnoll in his honour - raising what the club have described as a 'substantial sum of money' to 'make his remaining time as comfortable as it could be'.
They add a 'good crowd' turned up to the event, which hosted a number of activities in their bid to raise as much money as possible.
The 44-year-old came to Neath RFC after time with Cwmtwrch, Ystradgynlais, Llanelli, Swansea, Celtic Warriors and the Cardiff Blues - earning age-grade international honours with the Welsh national side, too.
He arrived at the club in 2007, where he took part in their Bucharest trip - where the Welsh All Blacks accepted an invitation to play the full Romanian XV as they prepared for the World Cup.
He went on to play 81 games in the famous All Black shirt – more than he did for any other club.
The club say Martin was 'at the core' of the club's success back then - with his legacy continuing to this day.
Neath secretary Mike Price said: “It is very sad. Martin has been ill for some time and it is tragic that he should pass away so quickly after Friday’s game. I suppose in a way we can take comfort from the fact that he got to see so many of his old team-mates and friends at Neath RFC.
“We were all able to speak to him on the night and I shared reminiscences with him of the great times we had in places like Nottingham, Ulster and against the Romanian national side. Martin’s memory was excellent and he relished recalling our beating the Romanians when they came back to play us at The Gnoll.
“We will, of course, have a minute’s silence in his memory before Saturday’s game against Newport and Neath RFC’s deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.