Statement from the family of Pontypool RFC legend, Ray Prosser:
“Thank you to all the people who’ve been paying their respects since Ray’s passing. We are truly grateful for all the tributes, which have kept us going at a difficult time for us as a family.
"We are aware of a great deal of interest in Ray’s funeral. Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic we will not yet be able to gather as we usually would to celebrate his life. We are also keen to avoid a large gathering outside the crematorium on safety grounds. Therefore, we have asked for the gates of Pontypool Park to be opened so that the funeral cortege can pass through the park and people can pay their respects safely. We would ask that if you do wish to pay tribute in that way, you do so in a safe and socially distanced way.
"This will take place on Tuesday December 8th, between about 1.30pm and 2.15pm.
"We are grateful to Peter and Ben Jeffreys and Pontypool RFC for their announcement that they will name the soon to be refurbished stand after Ray. This is a tremendous honour and we look forward to a time when rugby can return to Pontypool Park and fans can gather to pay their respects before a home game."