1 Apr 2016 | Cricket
Former Glamorgan captain and coach Alan Jones has spoken of his delight at being named as the county's new president.
The 77-year-old Jones played in the 1969 Championship-winning side and led the county to their first ever limited-overs final in 1977.
The left-handed opener played for Glamorgan between 1957 and 1983, scoring a thousand first-class runs in 23 consecutive seasons and holds the record for the most runs scored by and England-qualified player - 36,049 - without winning a Test cap.
Jones was named as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year in 1978 and after retirement as a player he joined the Glamorgan coaching staff and has also worked as a TV commentator.
I'm absolutely delighted, I never expected this but it is a great honour to be president of Glamorgan County Cricket Club.
Cricket has been my life from being a player in the '50s through to the '80s and coaching Glamorgan was a great thrill. To be president is the icing on the cake.
I just hope that Glamorgan can improve on last season, I'm sure they will.
I listened to Robert Croft and Hugh Morris speaking this evening (at the AGM Thursday night) and they were both very encouraging and they thought the side looked good and were in good form.
Jones's relationship with chief executive Hugh Morris and head coach Robert Croft dates back to when he coached them in the eighties.
I'm looking forward to working with Hugh for the next few years, it's going to be very exciting. If he hadn't come along, I could still be playing for Glamorgan! joked Jones. It's lovely to see Hugh back here, he's doing a great job.
I'm delighted that Robert has got the Head Coach role because I brought Robert into the Glamorgan set up when he was a young fifteen year old in the indoor school in Neath.
I saw something in Robert then and in Anthony Cottey at the same time and we were fortunate because we had a side in the South Wales League in those days, the Glamorgan Colts and they all played for the Colts and then came through to the Second Team and of course the first XI, so it's nice to see somebody like Robert Croft come through the ranks for Glamorgan and be a fine cricketer for England as well.
He's got all the experience and I'm sure he will do well and get the best out of a Glamorgan side.
Glamorgan Chief Executive Hugh Morris was also thrilled by the appointment,
On a personal level I'm really pleased Alan has been appointed President of the club, said Hugh. He is a proud Welshman and Glamorgan Cricket through and through.
He was one of my heroes growing up and I've had the pleasure of knowing Alan for many years as a player a coach and a real gentleman.
I can't think of anyone better to succeed David Morgan who has done a fantastic job as President of Glamorgan than Alan Jones.
He had a hugely distinguished career here and for him to become President is just rewards for a great man.
Head Coach Robert Croft was also quick to praise the appointment of his former mentor and the county's record runs scorer Alan Jones as new president of the club.
I am very privileged to be Head Coach while Alan is president. His wisdom and knowledge is something I will be tapping into along the way.
He is a legend of a player, coach, captain and bloke and always has time for everyone concerned.
He started the turnaround in Glamorgan's fortunes in the 1980s and 1990s as a coach and brought a terrific batch of players through.