Danny Evans Memorial Stand
The Council’s new spectator stand at the newly-opened £3M Ron Jones Stadium in Aberdare is to be officially named in memory of a local sporting hero this weekend.
The late Danny Evans, of Hirwaun, dedicated over 50 years to football through all ages in the Cynon Valley and further afield. He administered the Aberdare Valley Football League and was Chairman of the South Wales Football Association.
Mr Evans, who sadly passed away earlier this year, also spent a huge amount of his personal time encouraging and promoting junior and senior football at all levels. Earlier this year his family collected a posthumous Mayor’s Good Citizens Award for Sporting Achievement.
The 263-seat spectator stand at the Ron Jones Stadium, Ynys, will be officially named the Danny Evans stand at a special ceremony on Sunday, October 28.
Following the ceremony, two Danny Evans Memorial matches will be held at the facility – the first football matches to take place at the new facility since it was officially opened on October 12 by former Welsh, European, Commonwealth and Olympic champion athlete Ron Jones MBE.
The public are welcome to come along to watch the games and be among the first people to sit in the Danny Evans Stand.
The first game will feature Hirwaun FC Past v Hirwaun FC Present. The second match will feature two teams made up of the Danny Evans Select XI. The inaugural Danny Evans Memorial Cup will be presented to the winning team.
Among those attending the special event will be Mr Evans’ widow Carol, children Mark, Carole Anne and Lee Anton, and grandchildren Sian, Chelsea, Kylie, Caitlin, Jake and Kai.
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services, said: “I am delighted that this amazing, brand-new facility in the heart of Rhondda Cynon Taf is honouring two local people who have done so much in the world of sport.
“We are so proud to be the home of the new Ron Jones Stadium and the Danny Evans Stand. I am sure it is a facility which will be used for high-standard sporting fixtures for many years to come.
“I hope everyone has a great day with us on Sunday as we remember the life and sporting achievements of Danny Evans.”
The new Ron Jones Stadium forms part of the Council’s wider £67M Education and Leisure investment in Aberdare, which includes the state-of-the-art Aberdare Community School and Sobell Leisure Centre, all-weather 3G pitch and skate park.
