Glan Letheren Explained

Glan Letheren
Birth Date:1 May 1956
Birth Place:Dafen, Carmarthenshire, Wales
Position:Goalkeeper
Youthyears1:–1973
Youthclubs1:Leeds United
Years1:1973–1977
Clubs1:Leeds United
Caps1:1
Goals1:0
Years2:1976–1977
Clubs2:Scunthorpe United (loan)
Caps2:27
Goals2:0
Years3:1977–1979
Clubs3:Chesterfield
Caps3:63
Goals3:0
Years4:1979–1981
Clubs4:Swansea City
Caps4:21
Goals4:0
Years5:1981–1982
Clubs5:Blackpool
Caps5:0
Goals5:0
Years6:1982
Clubs6:Oxford City
Years7:1982–1983
Clubs7:Scarborough
Years8:1983–1984
Clubs8:Bangor City
Years9:1984–1986
Clubs9:Llanelli Town

Glan Letheren (1 May 1956 – 6 June 2024) was a Welsh professional footballer who played in the Football League as a goalkeeper.

Club career

Hailing from Dafen, Carmarthenshire,[1] Letheren started his career at Leeds United. On 24 October 1973, he made his senior debut in a 0–0 draw against Hibernian in the UEFA Cup.[2] Afterwards, he was on the bench during the 1975 European Cup final against Bayern Munich.[3]

He later played for Scunthorpe United, Chesterfield, Swansea City, Blackpool, Oxford City, Scarborough, Bangor City and Llanelli Town.[4] [5]

International career

Letheren represented Wales under-23 team in two matches.[3] Despite being called up to the Wales senior team, he never achieved a full international cap.[6]

Coaching career

Following his retirement from playing, Letheren transitioned into coaching and scouting roles, contributing his goalkeeping expertise to teams such as Leeds United, Swansea City, Exeter City, Chester City, Leicester City and the Football Association of Wales,[5] as well as being the manager of the Wales women's national team.[1] [2] Additionally, he ventured abroad to work in Australia, Haiti, and St. Lucia.[1]

Outside football

Letheren was also a successful cricketer in the South Wales Cricket Association, playing mainly for Dafen Welfare CC, as a medium pace bowler and middle order batsman.[3]

Personal life

Letheren's son Kyle also became a professional football goalkeeper. He was also called up and remained uncapped by Wales at senior level.[7] [6]

Letheren died on 6 June 2024, at the age of 68.[5] [8] [9] He had been diagnosed with primary peritoneal carcinoma in May 2023.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Swansea City saddened by passing of Glan Letheren . Swansea City A.F.C. . 6 June 2024 .
  2. Web site: Tribute to Glan Letheren . Chesterfield F.C. . 6 June 2024 .
  3. Web site: McKenna . Ben . Glan Letheren: Ex-Leeds United and Swansea City goalkeeper dies aged 68 . National World . 6 June 2024 .
  4. Web site: Glan Letheren. UK A–Z Transfers . Neil Brown . 21 September 2012.
  5. Web site: Ex-Swansea and Leeds keeper Letheren dies aged 68 . BBC Sport . 6 June 2024 .
  6. Web site: Morecambe sign goalkeeper Letheren. BBC Sport. 26 January 2021. 21 July 2024.
  7. Web site: New Goalie . Plymouth Argyle F.C . 7 August 2009 . 21 October 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120913054601/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1745561,00.html . 13 September 2012 . dead .
  8. Web site: Lewis . Ian . 2024-06-07 . Tributes to Llanelli-born Swansea and Leeds goalkeeper Glan Letheren . 2024-06-07 . InYourArea.co.uk.
  9. Web site: Ex Boro keeper Glan Letheren passes away . 2024-06-07 . Scarborough Athletic F.C..
  10. Web site: 2023-05-17 . Support needed for Glan Letheren's treatment . 2024-06-06 . Leeds United F.C. . en.