Educated West Mon School, St Pauls College, Cheltenham. After RAF service (stationed in India) and Loughborough, joined Newport in 1946-47 having played for Blaenavon and Pontypool previous season. Also made 1 appearance for Leicester in 1948-49. Club captain 1950-51 and 1953-54. Played last game at Llanelli April 24th 1958 (Lost 6 v 11) and last game at Rodney Parade on April 8th 1958 vs Barbarians in 1957-58 (Won 13 v 6). Scored 146 tries in 293 games 1946-58 to set then record. Scored 5tries vs Watsonians in 1955. Played 44 times (43 consecutively)(breaking George Stephenson, Ireland record) for Wales 1947-57 making him the then most capped Welsh player. (Broken by Gareth Edwards 20years later). Scored 17tries for Wales.
British Lion 1950: Australia / New Zealand (top try scorer with 18).
Represented Great Britain at 1948 Olympics (Semi Final of 100m, and Silver Medal in 4 x 100 relay). Awarded Gold but then USA were re-instated. Captained GB at Euro Games 1954 at Berne and represented Wales in Empire games at Vancouver 1954. BBC Wales Personality 1954. Welsh 100 / 220yd champion for 7 consecutive years.
School teacher at Bathwick Primary, Bath and Newport HS. Former Newport RFC President. Journalist.
OBE in 1960 for services to sport.
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In October 1980 Newport played New Zealand and the match programme contained the following article by Ken on Wales v New Zealand in 1953:-
"What A Wonderful Christmas Present For Wales"
"By: Ken J. Jones - Newport - Wales - British Lions"
"Two Triple Crown and Grand Slam seasons in 1950,1952, with the Murrayfield Massacre sandwiched between, then a near miss Slam and Crown again in 1953, was a tremendous build up to the first post war visit of the New Zealand All Blacks near Christmas 1953. The whole of Wales was aglow with anticipation following Cardiff's magnificent victory in November. Could Wales emulate them and also repeat the great victories of 1905 and 1935."
"I took a bus to Newport station, stood in the corridor of a packed train to Cardiff, not the ideal preparation for such a game, but internationals of those days were no pampered idols."
"Our team under Captain Bleddyn Williams although containing two new caps Gareth Griffiths and Sid Judd, was full of experience and confident that with their own will to win and the motivation of 56,000 Welshmen, victory was not impossible."
"Fifteen minutes into the game, Willis robbed his opposite number and Sid Judd dribbled upfield. I joined in, tackled Bob Scott as he fielded and looked up with delight as Sid pounced on Scott's wild pass to touch down for a try which Gwyn Rowlands converted. But our joy soon turned to despair and following a non-stop forward assault Bill Clark scored a try which Ron Jarden converted as well as kicking a penalty goal. Half time arrived with New Zealand leading by 8 pts to 3 pts."
"Resuming their offensive the 'Black Tide' seemed as if they would overwhelm our defences, but with Gerwyn Williams, Cliff Morgan and Rex Willis superb, we held out. Then disaster struck after only 10 minutes when Gareth Griffiths left the field with a dislocated shoulder. Clem Thomas who had been involved in a bad car accident on the way to Cardiff, moved to the wing. How could 7 forwards hope to hold this mighty pack?"
"Yet the impossible was achieved. Often with so little to do, I watched with proud admiration as 'The Magnificent 7' gave a superb exhibition of indomitable resistance. With 15 minutes to go, Gareth courageously raced back on to the field, a look of grim determination replacing his normally nonchalant air and a new mood swept through the side."
"Attack took over from defence, and a massive roar filled the stadium. The 'All Blacks' gave away a penalty and Gwyn Rowlands levelled the scores. Tension became unbearable. Suddenly the forwards surged downfield in front of the South Stand. Clem Thomas suddenly appeared to stand alone - his boot flashed 'God' I said to myself 'Where the hell is that going?' I was back near the goal line, but as if drawn by some irresistable force I began to run downfield. Lazily the ball seemed to float across field and I felt I was back on the athletics track. A bounce and the ball was in my hands. The posts were in view; Ron Jarden seemed to be going the other way; the line was there. Thank God, the ball was down. A sigh of joy, such scenes of excitement as I looked at the crowd. Gwyn's conversion was a formality."
"The remaining minutes seemed an eternity as the All Blacks launched a final attack, but our defence held and history was made with one of the most dramatic finishes of all time."