FOOTBALL grounds across Gwent will fall silent tomorrow in tribute to a true sporting hero.

Former Newport County player and Glamorgan cricketer Graham Reynolds died on Wednesday after a short illness.

Mr Reynolds, 70, who was also president of the Gwent Football Association, achieved more in a glittering amateur career than many professionals could dream of.

Born in Newport and educated at St Julian's High School, Mr Reynolds went on to play for County (becoming at the time their youngest player), Caerleon, Brecon Corries and Cwmbran Town, as well as playing for the Welsh amateur international side, first being capped in 1958.

However, Mr Reynolds' main love was cricket and he took every opportunity to play both for his club, Newport, and in the county championship with Glamorgan, as well as working as a teacher and later deputy head at Hartridge High School.

Mr Reynolds was primarily a right-arm seam bowler and opening batsman who captained Glamorgan's Second XI to the Second XI championship and led Newport with great distinction.

In 1969 he made his debut for Glamorgan's first XI at Worcestershire, playing in eleven one-day games and two first class games. He also skippered Wales' amateur side on many occasions.

Perhaps the highlight of his cricket career was in 1970 when he took the wicket of the great Sir Garfield Sobers, then playing for Nottinghamshire.

Even after retiring from teaching 21 years ago, Mr Reynolds continued to be hugely active in the world of sport.

He joined the Gwent FA in 1977, fulfilling many roles, the last of which was as president. He also acted as a Newport Schools selector and was Glamorgan's liaison officer for many years.

In total he served local football for more than 45 years, including a role as secretary of the Gwent County FA Youth League.

The development of young talent was a particular passion of Mr Reynolds and he also spent 20-years as a scout for Tottenham Hotspur, the team he always supported.

Mr Reynolds, known in both football and cricket circles as Tiddler', leaves a wife Eira and daughters, Meryl and Sian.

Sian, herself a former member of the Wales netball squad, said her father was never happier than when he was involved in sport.

"Sport was dad's great love. Even as children we can remember him on the beach throwing or kicking a ball," she said. "When he gave up he turned his attention to helping young people and he had a gift of recognising young talent.

"Everyone seemed to know and respect him. People were always saying to us, you're Graham Reynolds' daughters, aren't you?' He'll be missed by many."

Newport County Academy coach and Glamorgan cricket's jack-of-all-trades Roger Skyrme said Mr Reynolds had a huge impact on his life.

"Graham was a very close friend and got me involved in Glamorgan cricket and Newport County, I owe him a lot," he said.

Kevin Lyons, Glamorgan's MCC Academy director, remembers him as a great talent. "I have no doubt Graham could've played regular first class cricket, but he was so dedicated to teaching," he said.

"He was a great friend and a real old school personality, he ranks as one of the best captains I played under because he was so shrewd."

Hartridge High School head teacher Goff Davies, formerly a Pontypool rugby player, said: "I knew Graham better through sport than school; he was more a friend. Many of my colleagues here at Hartridge and thousands of ex-pupils will be extremely sad to hear this news, he was a true gentleman."

Newport County defender Ian Hillier was one of many young sportsmen discovered by Mr Reynolds, who took him to Tottenham. Although he didn't make the grade at Spurs, Hillier did carve out a professional career at Luton Town.

"I am extremely sad to hear Graham has passed away, he was a massive influence in my life, he was a lovely man and if it wasn't for him I would never have been a professional footballer," he said.

Tottenham Hotspur Head of Academy Recruitment Richard Allen said: "Graham was a well-respected figure here at Tottenham Hotspur. He regularly attended games on our behalf both at club and international level over a period of many years.

"He was a kind and friendly character, always welcoming and very hospitable when anyone from the club visited Wales.

"A meeting with Graham rarely passed without the gift of a bottle of red wine, while the offer of accommodation was always warmly forthcoming. He will be greatly missed by all of us at Spurs."

All games tomorrow featuring Gwent FA teams will be preceded by a minute's silence in Mr Reynolds' honour and he will also be remembered at Newport County.