Former Second Row, Wizard, Captain, British Lion, Barbarian and 34 time Welsh International, Allan Martin, speaks of his memories of the Aberavon V Neath derby's
I remember well after regional rugby was introduced going to take pictures for the Evening Post at the Easter match between Neath and Aberavon at the Gnoll. They had to delay kick off for more than half-an-hour to let in the massive crowd that wanted to see the game. I’m sure that crowd was bigger than the one which watches the Ospreys!
True great of the game and one of my teenage rugby heroes. I totally agree with Allan that "regionalism" has destroyed the local town's financial benefits.
I was a 10 year old when Alan was standing on the street talking to Fran Cotton in Napier during their 1977 Lions tour. Got both their autographs which I still have to this day.
He looks in remarkable shape and seems to be a really nice chap. I met him in the 70s when he was in the Welsh team as they trained at Waterton police ground on the Thursday before an international in Cardiff.
