Robert Davies (footballer, born 1861) explained

Robert Davies
Fullname:Robert Davies
Birth Date:1861
Birth Place:Wrexham, Wales
Position:Forward
Years1:1879–1881
Clubs1:Civil Service, Wrexham
Years2:1881–1884
Clubs2:Wrexham
Years3:1884–1888
Clubs3:Wrexham Olympic
Years4:1888–1892
Clubs4:Wrexham
Nationalyears1:1883–1885
Nationalteam1:Wales
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0

Robert Davies (also known as "Bob Pugh"; born 1861) was a Welsh footballer who played as a forward for various clubs in Wrexham in the 1880s and 1890s. He also made three appearances for Wales, all against Ireland.

Football career

Davies was born in Wrexham and started his career with the Wrexham Civil Service Club before joining Wrexham in 1881. Described as "a slightly built individual with much natural ability" who was "full of attacking instinct" and possessed a "very accurate shot".[1] He was a superb dribbler who regularly won dribbling competitions; despite this he was a keen advocate of the combination game and helped introduce this into Wrexham in place of the individualism that was still prevalent there until the 1880s.[1]

In 1883, he was part of the Wrexham side who won the Welsh Cup, defeating the Druids 1–0.[2] Wrexham next reached the final in 1890, but this time lost by a single goal to Chirk.[3]

His first international appearance came on 17 March 1883, when he was selected to play against Ireland; the match ended with the scores level with one goal each.[4] Davies retained his place for the next match, eleven months later, also against Ireland in Wales's first match in the inaugural British Home Championship; Wales won comfortably putting six goals past the Irish, with no reply.[5] Davies was not selected again until April 1885, when he failed to score in an 8–2 victory over the hapless Irish.[6]

International appearances

Davies made three appearances for Wales in international matches, as follows:[7]

Date Venue Opponent Result[8] GoalsCompetition
17 March 1883 1–1 0 Friendly
9 February 1884 6–0 0 British Home Championship
11 April 1885 Ulster Ground, Belfast 8–2 0 British Home Championship
WinDrawLoss

Later career

Davies was later a referee for the Football Association of Wales and managed the Albion Hotel in Wrexham.[1]

Honours

Wrexham

Notes and References

  1. Book: Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players . Davies. Gareth . Garland . Ian . 1991 . Bridge Books. 1-872424-11-2. 42.
  2. Web site: Wrexham 1 – 0 Druids . Welsh Cup Final 1883. Welsh Football Data Archive . 15 December 2011. 21 April 1883.
  3. Web site: Chirk 1 – 0 Wrexham . Welsh Cup Final 1883. Welsh Football Data Archive . 15 December 2011. 19 April 1890.
  4. Web site: Ireland 1 – 1 Wales . Welsh Football Data Archive. 15 December 2011. 17 March 1883.
  5. Web site: Wales 6 – 0 Ireland. Welsh Football Data Archive. 15 December 2011. 9 February 1884 .
  6. Web site: Ireland 2 – 8 Wales. Welsh Football Data Archive. 15 December 2011. 11 April 1885 .
  7. Book: Samuel, Bill . The Complete Wales FC 1876-2008 . 2009 . Soccer Books . 978-1-86223-176-4. 7–8.
  8. Wales score first