Solved - Puzzle of the Missing All Black Shirt
Tryst Williams
Western Mail
ic Wales, United Kingdom
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The mystery of a missing New Zealand rugby shirt has been solved in the South Wales Valleys after 40 years.As reported in yesterday's Western Mail former All Black Nev MacEwan, 72, has been hunting far and wide for his treasured jersey, one of 20 he won as a second-row forward during the '50s and '60s.
But last night it emerged his search was over after officials from Cilfynydd RFC, near Pontypridd, discovered the jersey in a clubhouse display case.Mr MacEwan, who is in Wales for tomorrow's Millennium Stadium clash, is due to be reunited with his prized shirt at a special ceremony in Cilfynydd today.
Nigel Jones, the club secretary, said, "One of our ex vice-presidents, the late Cyril Mahoney, went on a tour to New Zealand years ago during which he made contact with Nev, they became friends, and Nev presented him with some jerseys."Among the jerseys was the New Zealand shirt, which has been on proud display ever since.But with the rugby veteran - who played with the legendary All Black Colin Meads - now in the final stages of producing his autobiography his son decided to trace the missing jersey.Mr Jones added, "He knew the shirt had been presented to a club in Wales but he didn't know which one. I received an email from his son, Angus, saying his father was getting on a bit, and was one of his shirts in our club?"I remembered seeing it, emailed him back, spoke to him on the phone and they were over the moon.
He did suggest fetching a jersey to replace it but we're not worried about that."It's great to have had it and to be able to associate it with where it came from and meet the player. We're just grateful for the 40 years we've had it."Fittingly, the shirt will be presented by Cyril Mahoney's son, Sid.
Nov 4 2005
Tryst Williams
Western Mail
ic Wales, United Kingdom
________________
The mystery of a missing New Zealand rugby shirt has been solved in the South Wales Valleys after 40 years.As reported in yesterday's Western Mail former All Black Nev MacEwan, 72, has been hunting far and wide for his treasured jersey, one of 20 he won as a second-row forward during the '50s and '60s.
But last night it emerged his search was over after officials from Cilfynydd RFC, near Pontypridd, discovered the jersey in a clubhouse display case.Mr MacEwan, who is in Wales for tomorrow's Millennium Stadium clash, is due to be reunited with his prized shirt at a special ceremony in Cilfynydd today.
Nigel Jones, the club secretary, said, "One of our ex vice-presidents, the late Cyril Mahoney, went on a tour to New Zealand years ago during which he made contact with Nev, they became friends, and Nev presented him with some jerseys."Among the jerseys was the New Zealand shirt, which has been on proud display ever since.But with the rugby veteran - who played with the legendary All Black Colin Meads - now in the final stages of producing his autobiography his son decided to trace the missing jersey.Mr Jones added, "He knew the shirt had been presented to a club in Wales but he didn't know which one. I received an email from his son, Angus, saying his father was getting on a bit, and was one of his shirts in our club?"I remembered seeing it, emailed him back, spoke to him on the phone and they were over the moon.
He did suggest fetching a jersey to replace it but we're not worried about that."It's great to have had it and to be able to associate it with where it came from and meet the player. We're just grateful for the 40 years we've had it."Fittingly, the shirt will be presented by Cyril Mahoney's son, Sid.
Nov 4 2005
