A FORMER Hereford United player who was part of the famous giantkilling side that beat Newcastle in the FA Cup has died.

Alan Jones, who was 77, made over 300 appearances for the Bulls between 1968 and 1974 after signing from Swansea and was best remembered for scoring one of Hereford's goals in a 2-1 victory over West Ham.

Nicknamed 'Trampus' after the cowboy character played by Doug McClure in the television series The Virginian, Jones would become a fans' favourite and formed a formidable defensive partnership with Mick McLoughlin.

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He left Hereford to join Southport, and even ended up in the USA where he would play for Los Angeles Aztecs.

"He was by best man for my wedding in 1972 and we went on holidays together," said former Hereford Times sports reporter Chris Moore.

"The last time I was in Swansea, he showed me three letters from Bill Shankley when Liverpool tried to sign him.

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"It said something like 'sit tight for a little bit' but Swansea didn't budge and he never went there.

"He ended up in Hereford when John Charles signed him when he was a Welsh Under-21 international.

"He was a very strong, typical centre half. Mick McLoughlin used to do the covering up - they complimented each other and formed a formidable partnership."

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Chris joined the Hereford Times in 1968, and said he instantly bonded with Alan.

"We shared digs together and went on holiday," said Chris.

"We was one of my longest friends. I was very sad to hear the news and his passing will be sadly felt by everyone who knew him."

Alan Jones is the fifth Giantkiller to have died. Ronnie Radford - who scored the infamous equaliser against Newcastle - passed away last November, while Jones' defensive partner, Mick McLaughlin, died in 2015. 

Meanwhile, Roger Griffiths died in 2006 and Billy Meadows in 2019.