THOUSANDS PAY TRIBUTE TO “SNID”

On Monday, it was impossible to park within half a mile of Glyntaff crematorium as thousands of people poured into the area for the funeral of Gareth (Snid) Jones.

There were coaches from Neath, Beddau and of course Glyncoch, but even so, cars filled the Crematorium grounds, the car park, the verges along Pentrebach Road, Graig-Yr-Helfa Road and almost up to the cottage hospital. Others were parked in Rhydyfelin and the drivers and passengers walked through the cemetery to join the crowd gathered around the crematorium.

There was no room for all the people who turned up to show their respects, and the overflow poured onto Cemetery Road. In line with his family's wishes, most wore rugby jerseys rather than mourning clothes, and a large contingent of Neath fans wore jerseys emblazoned with Gareth's number-9 and the name SNID. There were also plenty of Pontypridd, Beddau and Glyncoch shirts in evidence, and also a smaller number of jerseys from Newport, Cardiff and Swansea as well as others from English, Scottish and Irish clubs; I'm sure there were more that I didn't notice in the huge crowd. This was one day when rivalry was forgotten and as Deena from Neath said on the club's forum “It was also great to see two great rugby clubs Neath and Ponty coming together and stand side by side to pay tribute ...”

While it was a sad day in so many ways, Snid's friends, his family and his fans were also determined to celebrate his life. Extra barrels were ordered at Glyncoch Social Club and at the Rugby Club. Social Club Stewardess Liz Richards said, “We've sold as much beer today as we normally would on the whole of a good weekend. Snid was a very popular member.” One fan said “Snid seemed to know what life was all about, living it with passion and positivity and earning the love and respect of so many people. I will learn from this.”

Neath head coach, Rowland Phillips described Gareth as “...a larger than life character who created a happy and fun environment at the club.” He went on to say “His inclusion in the Neath squad during 2006/07 was a major reason why we won the league, he just seemed to settle in straight away.”

Snid was a real live wire his exuberance on the pitch was matched in his daily life. His passing has left rugby a poorer sport and Glyncoch a poorer place.

SNID DAY A SUCCESS

Glyncoch Rugby Club and Glyncoch Community Centre got together last weekend to host a very special day to raise funds for Gareth (Snid) Jones’ family folllowing his horrific injuries playing for Neath against Cardiff in April. Despite the weather, hundreds turned up at the Rugby Club field to support a ladies’ rugby match, between the Centre and the Club, and a 5-a-side football tournament featuring rugby players from all over the valleys. A raffle was held, with top prize of a tumble drier, and signed rugby and football shirts were auctioned.

The rugby match finished in a draw and “man of the match” was number 9 whose shirt announced that she was “Snid”. The football tournament was hard fought, leading to a semi-final defeat for Buttons’ Boys by the Ponty backs and by Max’s Marvels by Snid’s Babes (A) from Beddau. The final champions were, appropriately, Snid’s Babes (A).

While everyone who attended on the day had great fun, the purpose of the day was to raise money and show Glyncoch’s respect for Snid. Right from the start the latter was obvious- everywhere you looked shirts emblazoned with number 9 and Snid’s name were apparent. So far as fundraising was concerned. Glyncoch once again demonstrated that there is no village more generous; the raffle alone raised over a thousand pounds, the barbecue made over £500, and everyone dug really deep at the auction, raising close to £2000. Other items that had been donated will go forward to an auction to be held at Pontypridd Rugby Club at a later date.

Gareth’s father Dai Jones said that the family were “overwhelmed by the level of support” and asked the Observer to thank everyone that turned up on the day, and with special thanks to Jackie and the Committee from the Community centre, and Ali, Dai Brillo, John Mansfield and the barstaff from the Rugby Club for all the hard work they put in to make this day such a great success. He also said “Of course it’s sad that this day was necessary at all, and we would rather it hadn’t been.” A sentiment echoed by all of us

SNID DAY AT GLYNCOCH RFC

It is now over a month since former Pontypridd scrum half Gareth Jones (Snid) sustained a serious neck injury in a game for his current club Neath, against Cardiff. He is still unconscious but his condition is described as stable. Well-wishing rugby fans, players and even referees from all over the world have been visiting Neath and Pontypridd websites to leave messages of hope and concern. Snid's sister Nicola said that his family would like to thank everyone for the concern that they've shown over the last few difficult weeks.

Whilst warming up for Saturday's Konica Minolta cup final against Pontypridd, all the Neath players came out wearing shirts emblazoned with number 9 and Snid's name; in addition their mascots for the day were Courtney, Cole and Connie, Snid's 3 children. Before the match former Welsh outside half Arwel Thomas, who was playing his last ever game, said "Whilst it will be a great day in one way, my thoughts and those of the players on both teams, will be with Gareth and his family. It was a terrible thing to happen and we are all just praying that he will come through. As his half back partner I got to know Snid really well. Best of luck mate, get well soon." There is no doubt that Neath were determined to win this game for Snid, and despite Ponty's best efforts they did so by 28 points to 22, a scoreline that slightly flattered Pontypridd on the day.

Snid is a Glyncoch boy and got his first taste of rugby as a junior player in his home village. This Sunday (May 25) Glyncoch Rugby Club and Glyncoch Community Centre are holding a fundraising day for Snid and his family on the Rugby Club field. The event will probably be the biggest ever staged at the club and will kick off with a Ladies rugby match between the Rugby Club and the Community Centre followed by a 5-aside football competition featuring rugby clubs from all over the valleys. The day will include a sack race, a tug-of-war, a bouncy castle for the kids a darts competition and a barbecue. The clubhouse will also host a show in the evening, making this a 12 hour spectacular with something for everyone. The highlight of the day will be a fund raising auction, with lots already pledged including a signed Welsh rugby ball, signed premiership rugby jerseys, signed posters and programmes from last week’s Konica Minolta cup final and a limited edition Grogg of Ryan Jones- one of just 200 produced.