Following on from the mention of Iestyn Harris, Billy Boston was also a legend within Rugby League and is now actually part of the Legends of League statue at Wembley, some achievement. I think Colin Jackson deserves to be part of the conversation too, he dominated the 110m hurdles for a the best part of a decade, holding the world record until fairly recently. Bottling it in the really big races will probably count against him though.
I always thought Lewis was a Neath boy. Great cricketer,great ambassador for Glamorgan and Wales. I sat alongside him on the London Underground.That was some years ago.. He was writing for the Telegraph then,and was on his way to the office,to file copy,whilst I was en route to a meeting in "The City". He was very friendly,and delighted to talk to a Glamorgan fan. On the subject of cricket,I reckon the great Wilf Wooller is worthy of consideration for top sportsman. His wiki entry is quite incredible. Rugby - Welsh international;Barbarians;Cambridge University Double Blue,and played for a plethora of Clubs. Cricket - Led Glamorgan to County Championship in 1948. - Did the cricketers double twice. - Offered the captaincy of MCC to South Africa,but declined it for financial reasons. - Chairman of selectors for England cricket team. Racquets - Welsh international. Football - played for Cardiff. There's a lot more,but that's enough to go on with. All this, plus he spent most of the Second World War as a prisoner of the Japanese in Changi Camp. He was quite remarkable. Forget your Ryan Giggs',this fellow Wooller is the one to beat.
Vetch - I read one of ARL's books. He said he was born in Swansea, but moved to Neath when very young.
I think Gareth Edwards gets more coverage since he has been pretty well up there during and after his career in Rugby. He was often turned to for a quote (sill is!) and his work with Question of Sport and a number of those sportsmen competitions he was in has helped him become endeared to the country at large. Giggs has/had his problems and Calzaghe has always been 'under the radar' a bit. John Charles and the like are too early for all this coverage and only old buggers like me will remember him.
Another unsung hero who is worthy of consideration. This one is for cricket enthusiasts. www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/154536.html
ARL lived in Harle Street and backed onto our house in Leonard Street plus of course he was a Neath Grammar School boy Taff so the lad has got class
I agree Vetch Shep is a true unsung hero who would have surely played for England if he had been born at some other time. I can remember the last wicket stand with Lawrence Williams (from Tonna) mentioned in the article as if it was yesterday!
