Former Hereford United player Alan Jones has passed away aged 77.
Club historian Ron Parrott has penned this tribute,
I remember Alan arriving at Edgar Street in 1967 and I quickly realised that we had something special on our hands. He was a great athlete and certain to attract the girls with his blond hair and stunning looks. Nicknamed “Trampas” after a cowboy in the TV series “The Virginian.” On the field, Alan was just as good as his image was, off it. He was a stupendous defender, a great reader of the game, he won everything in the air, never hoofed the ball upfield but distributed it with stylish aplomb. The fans loved him and Alan always had time to stop and talk and was often in the old “Black & White” Supporters’ Club enjoying a pint.
Overall, Alan spent eight seasons at Hereford, making 363 appearances and scoring 25 goals before departing for Southport. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this sad time but his name will live on in Hereford folklore for many years to come. Rest in peace Alan.”
Appearances: 363 (362+1 sub.) Goals: 25
Seasons played: 1967/68 to 1973/74
Born Swansea 6th October 1945
Alan won five schoolboy caps for Wales before joining Swansea Town as an apprentice in 1964. Although spending three months having trials at Liverpool, Alan.returned to Swansea and turned pro in October 1963, before making his Football League debut a year later. Alan also made one appearance for the Welsh Under-23 side but wouldn’t have had fond memories of an 8-0 drubbing by England. Alan went on to score six times in 61 League appearances for the Swans before king up with Hereford United in January 1968.
A six-footer, centre-back Alan became a regular member of United’s Southern League side under player-manager John Charles but little did he know that he would go on to become an Edgar Street legend. A stylish and good-looking lad, Alan was nicknamed “Trampas” after a TV cowboy character, He was immediately a hit with fans and his partnership with Mick McLaughlin at the centre of defence was also legendary.
Alan was an invaluable member of United’s Giantkillers’ XI and although he didn’t venture upfield too often, he did score a crucial goal in the 1974 FA Cup revenge victory over West Ham. An unflappable character, Alan read a game very well and could be creative at times and it wasn’t until he was absent from the side that one realised just how good he was. Alan stayed with the side and guided them from the Southern League to the runners-up spot m the old Fourth Division then onwards to stability in the Third Division. During his five seasons at Edgar Street, Alan made 363 first-team appearances and scored 25 goals before finally being released in the summer of 1974. Many fans thought that Alan’s release was a season too soon but nevertheless, leave he did.
Fans were right to a certain extent as Alan excelled for the Sandgrounders and notched up a further 49 League appearances and another two goals. In the summer of 1975, Alan jumped at the chance of spending the summer season on loan to American club Los Angeles Aztecs, where he made 20 starts. Southport released him in the summer of 1976 and Alan dropped back into non-league football with Merthyr Tydfil before moving to Ammanford then ending his career with Haverfordwest County. After hanging up his boots, Alan became a prison officer and served for many years in Swansea before taking retirement.
*Photos supplied by the MH Archive
