By Mick Fisher

SULLY Centurions Cricket Club were sad to hear of the death of Roger Jones who was the club's biggest supporter for as far back as anyone can remember.

Roger followed the club home and away, through good times and bad, and, we are reliably informed, only missed three games in the last 20 years.

If you asked anyone at Sully about Roger, the first thing they would do is smile. He was a real one-off.

One of his nicknames was 'Doom and Gloom' because he was so pessimistic. The team could need two runs to win with 10 overs left and he'd state, "They've blown it."

However, in recent years he would play up to his reputation and you could see the twinkle in his eye when he made a prediction of an impending defeat.

Roger loved the club and, although he wasn't a cricketer himself, it was a real passion of his.

Those who recall Sully Centurions' most successful period, from late 1990s to around 2013, will also recall seeing Roger, often bare chested, soaking up the sun, giving his sage advice to anyone who wanted to listen.

He also had a penchant for different kinds of headgear, and one of his most memorable days was when he was spotted sporting a very large sombrero at Sophia Gardens when the Centurions won the Welsh Cup in the early 2000s.

He lived for hot summer days watching his beloved club, whether it be in the dizzy heights of the South Wales Premier League or the club's current home, the South East Wales Cricket League.

So the year 2020 must have been particularly difficult for him, with no cricket to watch.

Roger was a great character and his passing will be felt by all at the club. Everybody at Sully send their condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.