FORMER Welsh international rugby players met to help keep the ball rolling to create a statue in memory of Ken Jones.

Former Welsh rugby players Fenton Coles, John Perkins, Terry Cobner and Chris Huish met former Newport coach Roger Powell and Blaenavon RFC chairman Alan Jones to discuss plans for the memorial statue.

The statue of the late Ken Jones, a former Welsh rugby player and sprinter who was born in Blaenavon, has been slow to progress due to the lack of funding available.

It is believed that the project could cost as much as £80,000-£100,000 for both the commissioning of the artist and materials.

Also present at the meeting was the Ken Jones memorial committee, made up of Lewis Freeman, Cllr Stuart Evans, Cllr Pauline Whitcombe and Cllr Roy Harris, who were able to explain to the gathering the fundraising ideas they have to raise money for the statue.

Cllr Evans said: “We are glad the former players are here as the committee is keen to progress and it now feels like we are moving in the right direction.

“We have support for the project from WRU president Dennis Gethin and Torfaen MP Paul Murphy, and money for the project is likely to come from regeneration and Blaenavon Town Council.”

Fundraising suggestions included collection buckets at Newport Gwent Dragons games and local matches, and arranging a social event to raise funds.

Mr Jones was born in Blaenavon in 1921 and died there in 2006, aged 84. He is best known for his winning try against the All Blacks in 1953.

The committee has set up a bank account to collect funds and can’t emphasise too strongly that every donation, no matter how small, counts.

Cheques can be made out to ‘Ken Jones Memorial Fund’ and posted to the care of Lewis Freeman at 52 Thornhill Close, Upper Cwmbran, Torfaen, NP44 5TQ.