David Davies (footballer born 1879)
Encyclopedia
David Charles Davies was a Welsh
footballer who played at outside-left for various minor sides around the turn of the twentieth century as well as making two appearances for Wales
.
, Breconshire and started his football career with the local village side before moving to the larger towns of Builth Wells
and Brecon
where he earned a reputation as a "star forward", being described in one report as "a very reliable forward, quick in his movements, accurate in his passes and deadly at goal".
His form for Brecon earned him his first cap for Wales
in a 1–0 defeat against Ireland at Grosvenor Park, Belfast on 4 March 1899.
In the summer of 1899, he was offered professional terms by both the clubs then operating in Hereford
, just across the border in England. He rejected the offer from Hereford Thistle
(who were to fold later that summer) and signed with Hereford Town, then playing in the Birmingham & District League. Davies injured his knee in his first league match for Hereford, against Shrewsbury, which was to eventually end his career.
He made his second international appearance on 24 February 1900 when the Welsh defeated the Irish 2–0 at The Oval, Llandudno
.
Despite several comeback attempts, the knee injury forced Davies to retire in October 1900. In 1908, he had recovered sufficiently to enable him to turn out occasionally for his village team.
for many years and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal for long service.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
footballer who played at outside-left for various minor sides around the turn of the twentieth century as well as making two appearances for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
.
Football career
Davies was born in TalgarthTalgarth
Talgarth is a small market town and community in southern Powys , Mid Wales, with a population of 1,645. Notable buildings in the town include its 14th-century parish church and 13th century Pele Tower, located in the town centre, now home to the Tourist Information and Resource Centre...
, Breconshire and started his football career with the local village side before moving to the larger towns of Builth Wells
Builth Wells
Builth Wells is a town in the county of Powys, within the historic boundaries of Brecknockshire, mid Wales, lying at the confluence of the River Wye and the River Irfon, in the Welsh of the Wye Valley. It has a population of 2,352....
and Brecon
Brecon
Brecon is a long-established market town and community in southern Powys, Mid Wales, with a population of 7,901. It was the county town of the historic county of Brecknockshire; although its role as such was eclipsed with the formation of Powys, it remains an important local centre...
where he earned a reputation as a "star forward", being described in one report as "a very reliable forward, quick in his movements, accurate in his passes and deadly at goal".
His form for Brecon earned him his first cap for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
in a 1–0 defeat against Ireland at Grosvenor Park, Belfast on 4 March 1899.
In the summer of 1899, he was offered professional terms by both the clubs then operating in Hereford
Hereford
Hereford is a cathedral city, civil parish and county town of Herefordshire, England. It lies on the River Wye, approximately east of the border with Wales, southwest of Worcester, and northwest of Gloucester...
, just across the border in England. He rejected the offer from Hereford Thistle
Hereford Thistle F.C.
Hereford Thistle F.C. was a football club based in Hereford, England. They joined the Bristol & District League in 1894 and won the title in 1895. They joined the Birmingham & District League in 1895 but left the league in 1899....
(who were to fold later that summer) and signed with Hereford Town, then playing in the Birmingham & District League. Davies injured his knee in his first league match for Hereford, against Shrewsbury, which was to eventually end his career.
He made his second international appearance on 24 February 1900 when the Welsh defeated the Irish 2–0 at The Oval, Llandudno
Llandudno
Llandudno is a seaside resort and town in Conwy County Borough, Wales. In the 2001 UK census it had a population of 20,090 including that of Penrhyn Bay and Penrhynside, which are within the Llandudno Community...
.
Despite several comeback attempts, the knee injury forced Davies to retire in October 1900. In 1908, he had recovered sufficiently to enable him to turn out occasionally for his village team.
Life outside football
Davies was employed by the General Post OfficeGeneral Post Office
General Post Office is the name of the British postal system from 1660 until 1969.General Post Office may also refer to:* General Post Office, Perth* General Post Office, Sydney* General Post Office, Melbourne* General Post Office, Brisbane...
for many years and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal for long service.