Robert Davies (footballer, born 1861)

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.

Robert Davies
Personal information
Full name Robert Davies
Date of birth 1861
Place of birth Wrexham, Wales
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1879–1881 Civil Service, Wrexham
1881–1884 Wrexham
1884–1888 Wrexham Olympic
1888–1892 Wrexham
National team
1883–1885 Wales 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

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]

DateVenueOpponentResult[8]GoalsCompetition
17 March 1883Ulster Ground, Belfast Ireland1–10Friendly
9 February 1884Racecourse Ground, Wrexham Ireland6–00British Home Championship
11 April 1885Ulster Ground, Belfast Ireland8–20British Home Championship
Win Draw Loss

Later career

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

Honours
Wrexham
  • Welsh Cup winners: 1883
  • Welsh Cup finalists: 1890

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