It is with great sadness that the club was made aware of the passing of former Wales and Neath legend Mr Brian Thomas, who passed away in the early hours of Monday after a long illness. The whole of rugby will feel his loss and our thoughts are with his family, especially his daughter Jan and his grandson Jack (Jones). Born in 1940 in Neath, Brian was a product of Neath Grammar School and went on to Cambridge where he won three Blues 1960-62. A long serving player for Neath, he played for Neath/Aberavon against the 1961 Springboks. He was capped 21 times for Wales between 1963 and 1969, going on tour with Wales to South Africa (1964) and Australasia (1969) in the latter tour of which he played three matches in his accustomed position of lock and one match at prop in the second international v New Zealand. Brian captained Neath from 1966-68 and became team manager in the 1980's, returning to that role from 1991-1996. He was the father-in-law of Rowland Phillips.
As a recent Season Ticketholder at St Helens, many of us saw Brian regularly at home games as he was so proud to watch his grandson Jack play.
Once again we wish to express our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
