Mefin Reveals Secret Sponsor
By Zippy
August 14 2004
Neath Recruit Mefin Davies reveals the sponsor who will allow him to carry on playing. You'll never guess who it is? No really. For details and reaction read on.
Story taken from BBC Online 14/08/04
Mefin Reveals Secret Sponsor
Neath recruit Mefin Davies can concentrate solely on playing rugby thanks to a sponsorship deal with former Warriors chief Leighton Samuel.
Davies turned down a lucrative offer from Stade Francais that would have signalled the end of his Wales career.
But despite the "generous" Neath deal, the hooker still faced working outside rugby to top up his wages.
"I have stepped in because I am a nice guy and I had a lot of respect for the decision Mefin made," Samuel said.
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Samuel is still unhappy with the way the Warriors were dismantled, but was pleased to privately sponsor his former hooker when approached by Davies' agent, Peter Underhill.
"Mefin is a lovely guy and had a difficult choice to make as the national coach, Mike Ruddock, had asked him to keep himself available for Wales," Samuel added.
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 As soon as he knew who it was and the reasons why I was asking, Leighton had no hesitation Mefin Davies' agent, Peter Underhill |
"He chose Wales because his contract offer from Stade Francais would have prevented him continuing his international career.
"Full marks to Neath for giving him the opportunity to continue playing rugby in Wales."
Neath and former club Pontypridd were both keen to sign the 21-cap hooker, with the Gnoll just winning out as Davies' new home.
"It's a great contract with Neath, and I think them for that," Underhill said.
"But on top of that, Leighton has very kindly put an amount of money forward that alleviates any need for Mefin to go out and supplement his income."
"It was a very generous gesture that has been gratefully received - as soon as he knew who it was and the reasons why I was asking, Leighton had no hesitation."
Mefin's New Challenges
"I didn't think that I would be back at the Gnoll playing rugby, but things change and I am back."
"Neath have given me the opportunity to be full-time which is great. I played over 100 games for Neath in the four seasons I was here previously."
"It's been a difficult couple of month for me and to be honest I am just happy to get back to playing some rugby."
"It has been very hard, but now it's nice to know that I have got a club to play for next season and that gives me some new goals and challenges."
"I also had a very difficult decision to make when I turned down the opportunity to go to Stade Francais."
"I didn't realise just how big a club they are until I went out there to meet them."
"It was a great honour that they showed an interest in me, but the key factor was that if I had joined them, I wouldn't have been able to play for Wales - and that is bigger than playing for any club in the world and something that I didn't want to give up."
"There were times when I thought that I had made the wrong decision; it's August and people were starting to play warm-up games while I was still looking for a new club."
"I know that there are no guarantees in life and I know that just because I have stayed, it doesn't mean that I will get into the Wales team."
"Other guys will be playing in the provincial set-up while I'll be playing for Neath, but all I can do is concentrate of playing rugby, keep myself in good condition and see what happens."
Zippy Reaction
The plight of Mev has touched many, its not often that a man puts his country before money. The quote "It will be worth it for just one more Welsh cap" sums the man up - passion and pride.
Its unreal to think that players like Mev and Cory Harris will only be playing in a semi professional league next season but thats the situation we find ourselves in.
What is motivating Leighton Samuels? Is it the fact that he was equally touched by Mev or is he trying to save face?
I'd like to think it was the former.
The Warriors cattle market has now finished, I hope in my lifetime to never see anything like it again.
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