Robert Davies (footballer, born 1869) explained

Robert Davies
Fullname:Robert Davies
Birth Date:1869
Birth Place:Caergwrle, Wales
Death Date:1930s
Position:Forward
Years1:1888–1891
Clubs1:Chester
Years2:1891–1892
Clubs2:Caergwrle
Years3:1892–1895
Clubs3:Wrexham
Years4:1895–1913
Clubs4:Caergwrle
Nationalyears1:1892
Nationalteam1:Wales
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0

Robert Davies (born 1869) was a Welsh footballer who played as a forward for Chester and Wrexham in the 1880s and 1890s. He also made two appearances for Wales in 1892.

Football career

Davies was born in Caergwrle, about 5 miles north of Wrexham. He started his career with Chester in 1888 before joining his village team in 1891. He then spent two years with Wrexham where he was considered to be a "capable" winger who had pace and showed "neat skills".[1]

His first international appearance came on 27 February 1892, when he was selected to play against Ireland; the match ended with the scores level with one goal each.[2] Davies retained his place for the next match against England which ended in a 2–0 victory for the English.[3] The English team consisted mainly of players associated with the Corinthian club, who were "a little too skilful for the Welsh".[4] Davies himself was described as "weak" in his international appearances.[1]

In 1893, he was part of the Wrexham side who won the Welsh Cup, defeating Chirk 2–1.[5] Wrexham next reached the final in 1895, but this time lost 3–2 to Newtown.[6] This was Davies' final appearance for Wrexham.[1]

In 1895, he returned to playing for his village team, and was still playing in 1913.[1]

International appearances

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

Date Venue Opponent Result[8] GoalsCompetition
27 February 1892 1–1 0 British Home Championship
5 March 1892 0–2 0 British Home Championship
WinDrawLoss

Career outside football

Before becoming a professional footballer, Davies was a coal-miner.[1] He was also a keen cricketer who was a notable bowler for Caergwrle Cricket Club.[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: Ireland 1 – 1 Wales. Welsh Football Data Archive. 15 December 2011. 27 February 1892 .
  3. Web site: Wales 0 – 2 England. Welsh Football Data Archive. 15 December 2011. 5 March 1892 .
  4. Book: Gibbons, Philip . Association Football in Victorian England – A History of the Game from 1863 to 1900. 2001. Upfront Publishing . 1-84426-035-6. 189.
  5. Web site: Wrexham 2 – 1 Chirk . Welsh Cup Final 1893. Welsh Football Data Archive. 15 December 2011. 3 April 1893 .
  6. Web site: Newtown 3 – 2 Wrexham . Welsh Cup Final 1883. Welsh Football Data Archive . 15 December 2011. 15 April 1895 .
  7. Book: Samuel, Bill . The Complete Wales FC 1876-2008. 2009 . Soccer Books . 978-1-86223-176-4. 11.
  8. Wales score first