Thousands bid farewell to Gravell

A CROWD of up to 10,000 turned out to say farewell to former Scarlets, Wales and Lions rugby star Ray Gravell yesterday in a final service which was akin to a state funeral.

Stradey Park, the scene of many of his most memorable sporting moments, played host one final time to its most famous former son.

Gravell’s death aged just 56 while on a family holiday in Spain followed surgery earlier this year when part of his leg was amputated after complications with diabetes.

The funeral cortege arrived at Stradey Park just before 1pm and sporting friends Delme Thomas, Derek Quinnell, Gareth Jenkins, Simon Easterby, Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel bore his coffin to the centre of the stadium’s pitch.

Watched by Gravell’s wife Mari and daughters Manon and Gwenan, tributes were then given in both Welsh and English by Wales First Minister Rhodri Morgan and a number of friends and colleagues.