NEWS

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE MAYNARD FAMILY

25 June 2012

Matthew, Sue and Ceri have been incredibly touched by the volume and sincerity of tributes that have been paid to Tom, and they want people to know that they are especially grateful for the many hundreds of cards, letters and messages they have received over the past week. The scale of the support has been of real comfort to them.

It seems clear from the number of messages they’ve already had that there is likely to be an enormous turnout for Tom’s funeral on 4 July 2012.  Although the family originally supported the idea of everyone being made welcome who wanted to pay their respects, they’ve been persuaded that the event at Pentyrch Rugby Club after the service should really just be for friends of Tom’s and the family, otherwise it may become unmanageable in terms of numbers. 

Friends joining the family at Pentyrch RFC are being encouraged to bring their personal photographs of Tom to contribute to a photo montage the family would like to put together. 

However, Matt and Sue are keen to point out that they still want the two funeral services – at Llandaff Cathedral (12pm) and Thornhill Crematorium (1.15pm) – to remain open to all.

The family have requested that there be no flowers at either of the services, with donations made instead to the Professional Cricketers’ Association Benevolent Fund (c/o The Laker Stand, Kia Oval, Kennington, London SE11 5SS).

Over the last few days the idea of setting up a trust fund in memory of Tom has been suggested, and this is something that the family is interested in developing. An announcement on this will be made in due course. However, it is understood that if anyone would like to make a donation they can do so by sending a cheque, made payable to ‘The Tom Maynard Trust’, c/o Jon Rees, Carston Accountants, Tudor House, 16 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9LJ.

This is an incredibly difficult time for Matthew, Sue, Ceri and the family, but they want people to know just how grateful they are for the outpouring of support for their beloved Tom.

Tom Maynard dies aged 23 - 18/06/12

The PCA has expressed on behalf of all professional cricketers its great sadness at the tragic death of Tom Maynard, the Surrey and England Lions batsman, at the age of 23.

Maynard, a richly talented cricketer, died in an incident at Wimbledon Park tube station in the early hours of 18 June 2012. He had played for Surrey in a Friends Life t20 match against Kent at Beckenham the day before.

Vikram Solanki, Chairman of the PCA, said "Tom was a truly gifted player, and one who was universally respected as a formidable opponent. His death is devastating, and our heartfelt condolences go to his family and team-mates at this terrible time."

Maynard was the son of former Glamorgan and England batsman, Matthew, and made his first-class debut for Glamorgan in 2007 while his father was coach of the Welsh county.

Matthew Maynard’s departure from Glamorgan in the winter of 2010/11 led to Tom requesting his release from his contract.

He decided to join Surrey where Rory Hamilton-Brown, a close friend from their schooldays at Millfield, is captain.

Maynard’s talent began to flourish at Surrey and he was a key figure in helping them secure County Championship last season.

He marked his return to Cardiff by scoring a maiden first-class century against his former county, and added two more centuries during the season.

He was selected to tour Bangladesh with England Lions last winter and gave further evidence of his talent with a career best 143 against Worcestershire at New Road last month.

Maynard is the third Surrey player to die in tragic circumstances in the past 17 years following wicketkeeper Graham Kersey and England all-rounder Ben Hollioake, both of whom died from injuries sustained in car crashes in Australia.

Tom Maynard scored 2,384 runs in 48 first-class matches, a further 1,763 runs in one day cricket, including two centuries, and 1,034 runs in his 50 Twenty20 appearances.

Mark Wallace pays tribute to Tom Maynard here...