David William Jones

Memories and Tributes

"A master of the drop goal and a versatile playmaker, David Jones overcame a daunting debut against the best of Wales to become the strategic heartbeat of the post-war Gloucester backline."

Gloucester Rugby is saddened to hear of the death of former player, David William Jones, who proudly represented his local city in the fifties. David passed away on 27 July, aged 88.

Local boy David played most of his rugby for Gloucester at fly-half, although he occasionally played in the centre. Players were not so big in those days, and David tipped the scales at just 11 stones.

David William Jones was born on 30 December 1930 in Gloucester. He went to the Central School, and made his debut for Gloucester as an 18-year-old on 2 April 1949 against Llanelli, not the easiest of teams to start your career against. He then did his National Service in the RAF, where he played for his Command XV, and had a trial for the full RAF team.

It took a few seasons before David established himself in the first fifteen at Gloucester, but by 1954-55, he was the regular fly-half appearing in 31 games. He played for Cheltenham in the 1955-56 season, but was back at Kingsholm for the following campaign. On 2 March 1957 he kicked a hat-trick of drop goals in the course of Gloucester’s 12-6 win over Northampton, and later in the month scored two tries when Gloucester defeated Newport 12-6, to gain the first double over the Welsh club since the 1932-33 season.

In his Gloucester career David played in 80 games, scoring 17 tries and 84 points in total.

David played 10 times for Gloucestershire, his first cap was against British Police on 28 September 1954, when he scored a try, and his first County Championship appearance was on 9 October that year against Cornwall.

Thank you to the Gloucester Rugby Heritage team for their words.

Life Timeline

Born on December 30, beginning a life rooted in local rugby culture.

1930: Born
Educated at the Central School in Gloucester, a prolific breeding ground for local rugby talent (later known as the "Old Centralians" pipeline).

1945: School & Rugby Foundations
Made a high-pressure senior debut for Gloucester RFC at just 18 years old against a formidable Llanelli side.

1949: Senior Debut at 18
Conducted his National Service in the RAF. He was a standout performer for his Command XV and earned a trial for the full RAF representative team, honing his tactical kicking during his service years.

1952: RAF Service & Development
Fully established himself as Gloucester’s first-choice fly-half, appearing in 31 games during a single campaign.

1954: First-Choice Fly-Half
Earned his first Gloucestershire County cap against the British Police, marking the occasion by scoring a try.

1954: County Cap Debut
Made his County Championship debut against Cornwall, becoming a regular fixture in the county’s tactical setup.

1954: Championship Debut
Spent a single season playing for Cheltenham RFC before returning to Kingsholm.

1955: Cheltenham Season
Achieved a rare and legendary feat by kicking a hat-trick of drop goals in a 12–6 victory over Northampton. This remains one of the most celebrated individual kicking performances in the club’s history.

1957: Drop Goal Hat-Trick
Scored two tries in a 12–6 win over Newport, securing Gloucester's first "double" victory over the elite Welsh club in 24 years.

1957: Historic Newport Victory
Finished his Gloucester career with 80 appearances, 17 tries, and 84 points—a significant tally for a fly-half in the low-scoring amateur era.

1960: Career Record Achieved
Remained a loyal supporter of the "Cherry and Whites" and was a frequent attendee at former players' events.

1980: Lifelong Club Supporter
Passed away at Cirencester Hospital at the age of 88.

2019: Peaceful Passing
The Gloucester rugby community paid tribute to his contribution to the club's post-war success, noting his role in the 1950s "Golden Era" of local rugby.

2019: Community Tribute