Glamorgan could not have made a more popular choice when they appointed Alan Jones, a true legend of the county, as club President at its Annual General Meeting, writes Edward Bevan.
The club has rightly been admonished in the past for ignoring Jones and Don Shepherd’s credentials for President, two players who scored more runs and took more wickets than anyone else who did not play for England.
This year though, Chief Executive Hugh Morris recognised from personal experience, what Jones has achieved for the club since making his debut in 1957.
He scored over 36,000 first class runs at an average of 33- rather an ordinary average by today’s standards, but not when considering the years he played on uncovered pitches, without a helmet and other protection, and against some of England’s greatest fast bowlers. Among his numerous outstanding performances was an innings of 161 not out against the 1961 West Indies team, which included the fiery Wes Hall, while his consistency is highlighted by the astonishing feat of passint 1000 runs for twenty three consecutive seasons.
His achievments certainly warranted Test honours, and in 1970 he was selected for England against the Rest of the World team. He was unfortunately dismissed cheaply in both innings, but unlike other county openers, who were given further chances, he was dropped and never considered again.
This decision reflected badly on the England hierarchy, but worse was to follow when the series was not considered worthy of Test status- this despite England losing the series 4-1, while the opposition including some the World’s greatest players, namely Garfield Sobers, Mike Procter and Graham Pollock. Consequently, Jones’ England blazer, sweater and cap were never worn again.
He returned to Glamorgan, the runs continued to flow, and in 1977 he was chosen as Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year.
He retired in 1983, before returning as Glamorgan’s coach and as a mentor to countless young Welsh cricketers.
Robert Croft, who was appointed the club’s Head Coach this year said: “I am very proud to be Head Coach while Alan is President. His wisdom is something I will be tapping into along the way”.
No one has worked as hard as Jones to succeed at the game he loves. When asked to attend the Glamorgan winter nets at an early age, he would regularly walk long distances from his home in the small village of Velindre to catch a bus to Neath and return late at night.
His dedication was an inspiration to his brother Eifion- on of Alan’s eleven brothers and sisters- who followed him into the Glamorgan team and remained there for twenty three years as a renowned wicketkeeper/ batsman.
How fitting that Morris and Croft, two of Jones’ disciples are at the helm these days, and nothing would delight Jones more than the continued success of his beloved Glamorgan.
Steve James, another outstanding Glamorgan opener, sums up perfectly the respect everyone has for him. “I spent hours with him at the nets, practising first and then talking to him – I would listen entranced," he said.
"He is one of the nicest men you could ever meet, I always wanted to be Alan Jones the man – as I did Alan Jones the batsman.”