welsh football players past and present

After spells with Newport County and Bristol City, he moved to Swansea in August 1985 and netted five goals in 111 League games before moving to Merthyr Tydfil in July 1988. He joined the Swans in August 1948 and appeared in both matches against Reading over the Christmas period. A former Tranmere Rovers trainee, he signed professional in July 1997 but failed to secure a first-team slot at PrentonPark and moved to Swansea in February 1998. DENNIS JOHNHard-tackling full-back Dennis John played for Swansea during the 1958-59 campaign. He moved to Scunthorpe United in July 1958 and was leading marksman in 1959-60, joining Cardiff City in exchange for Joe Bonson in June 1960. A regular name on the team sheet and former club captain, Rangel played at Wembley when the Swans defeated Reading to gain promotion to the Premier League in 2011, and was also in the side that won the League Cup by defeating Bradford City in 2013. Later with Merthyr Tydfil, Worcester City and Merthyr again, his career was ended by a recurring ankle injury. He made 14 League appearances before returning to Llanelli in July 1972 and starred as they twice won the Welsh League Premier Division. Signing professional for Liverpool in September 1966, he helped them win the League Championship and UEFA Cup in 1972-73 and was sold to Middlesbrough for 72,000 in December 1975. Initially a Swansea amateur, he signed professional for Arsenal in October 1946. Featuring in their 1964-65 Fourth Division title campaign, he became Cape Town City's player-coach in May 1965 and later coached in the Western Province. ALAN SANDERSStrong-tackling right-back Alan Sanders appeared in Swansea's 1961 Welsh Cup final success. He signed a two-year contract with AEK Athens in the summer. Welsh Youth full-back Rob King briefly appeared for Swansea City during the 1996-97 campaign. On 23 May 1994, Neville Southall played in a 21 victory over Estonia to earn his 74th cap and overtake Nicholas,[13] eventually gaining 92 caps before retiring. Moving via Rotherham to Newport County in December 1979, he helped them win promotion and the Welsh Cup that season, then reach the ECWC quarter-finals in 1980-81. Locally born, he served in the Welsh Regiment during the war and had a spell with Hafod Athletic before moving to the Vetch Field in August 1946. GIOVANNI SAVARESE Venezuela international striker Giovanni Savarese was Swansea City's leading marksman in 2000-01. He re-joined Haverfordwest in July 1976, then played for Waun Wen. Unfortunately, he didnt really suit the style of then boss Kenny Jackett and he was eventually released by Roberto Martinez, going on to sign for Swindon Town after 29 appearances (six as sub). Initially with Cardiff City, he joined Manchester United in May 1952 and helped the 'Busby Babes' win the League Championship two years running. Tall striker Alan Waddle was top scorer in Swansea City's 1978-79 promotion success. Signing professional for Coventry in 1994, he made his Premiership debut in their 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough in September 1995. TOM WILLIAMSAttacking left-back Tom Williams helped Swansea City reach the League One play-off final in 2005-06. Currently a club ambassador. He died in Durham in December 1988. He was top scorer as the reserves won the Football Combination Second Division title in 1960-61. Helping them clinch the Third Division title that season, he joined Aldershot in January 1965, then played for Hereford, Guildford, Andover and Fleet. In 2013 Mark left the club after 140 appearances (25 as sub) and three goals to join Charlton on loan before making the move permanent. Helping win promotion in 1948-49, he joined Bradford PA for 10,000 in December 1949, then played for Rochdale, Chester, Wellington, Kidderminster and Evesham. CASEY THOMASCasey was on the books at the Liberty Stadium as a youth team player, playing mainly as a striker but also a midfielder when needed. He possessed electrifying pace and strength on the ball, scoring his solitary goal in three Third Division games in Swansea's 2-0 win over Chester City two months later. Joining Cardiff City for 25,000 in March 1967, he helped them win the Welsh Cup three times and reach the ECWC semi-finals in 1967-68, then played for Yeovil, Worcester and Merthyr. Caulker joined the Swans in the summer of 2011 on a season long loan from Tottenham Hotspur. 24.02.2023 10:05. Signing professional for Bolton in August 1932, he starred as they won promotion and were FA Cup semi-finalists in 1934-35. A former Wrexham trainee, he turned professional in July 1989 and scored in their 1991-92 FA Cup defeat of Arsenal. He missed the 1994 Autoglass Trophy final through injury but featured in their 1994-95 Second Division play-off final triumph. Managed Doncaster, Darlington, Oldham and Bristol Rovers. He scored nine times in 34 Second Division games before being sold to Southend United for 3,000 in January 1958. Welsh Youth right-back Paul Fury was a young member of Roy Bentley's squad at Swansea City. He signed for Championship side Brighton before being released at the end of the 2013-14 campaign. Playing 22 consecutive Fourth Division games that season, he had limited first-team chances thereafter and made 28 League appearances for Swansea before joining Afan Lido in July 1975. Playing 34 League games for Swansea, he was released by Kenny Jackett and joined Llanelli in June 2005. He played for Swansea in the 1952-53 FA Cup third round tie at holders Newcastle United and made 12 Second Division appearances for the Swans prior to joining Plymouth Argyle in November 1953. He then played for CradleyTown, Stafford Rangers, Moor Green, Telford United, Stourbridge, Rothwell, Redditch, Bromsgrove, Gresley, Stratford, Stourport Swifts, Hednesford and Cradley again. His last cap came in 1966 at 35 years old. Teenage midfielder Leighton Harvey helped SwanseaCity reserves win the Welsh League First Division title in 1975-76. Both players were tragically killed in a car crash on their way to play for Hereford at Nuneaton in January 1969. Central defender Derek Blackburn understudied Dudley Peake whilst at Swansea. Initially with Welwyn Garden, he joined Luton Town in July 1971 and was ever-present in 1979-80. Moving to Barry Town in January 1949, he then played for Hereford United and settled back in his native North-East, residing in South Shields until his death in April 1998. He resided in his native Newport until his death in August 2004. Fast striker Linton Brown appeared for Swansea City in the 1996-97 Third Division play-off final. A sensational time at the club saw Gylfi excel on the pitch, creating and scoring some memorable goals for the team. Locally born, he was 15 years 289 days old when he came on as substitute in Swansea's 2-2 draw at home to Southport in December 1974. Later successful as Haverfordwest's player-manager, he then had a spell as Briton Ferry's assistant-boss and also coached Swansea's junior sides. LEE BRACEYGoalkeeper Lee Bracey was a key figure in Swansea City's 1989 Welsh Cup final triumph. Locally born, he turned professional at the Vetch Field in August 1978 and featured in Swansea's 1978-79 and 1980-81 promotion campaigns. Initially with Dunstable, he joined Luton in 1971 and helped them win promotion to the top-flight in 1973-74. His first season was a success, but he struggled for game time thereafter and found himself out on loan at Willem II. Starring in their 1986-87 Isthmian League title triumph, he later played for Wealdstone, then managed Staines, Walton & Hersham, Hendon and Hemel Hempstead. He was top scorer in 1951-52, then joined Aston Villa in September 1952 and was capped eight times by Northern Ireland before moving to Bury in November 1956, then Ards in July 1959. A former trainee at the Vetch Field, he scored on his League debut in Swansea's 4-0 victory at home to Hereford United three months before turning professional in December 1996. He resided in Griffithstown until his death in April 1999. His patience was rewarded at Wembley Stadium in February 2013 when he won a medal as the Swans defeated Bradford City in the final of the League Cup. Locally born, he turned professional at the Vetch Field in November 1979 and made his League debut in the following month's 3-0 defeat at Chelsea. In 2009 he took the opportunity to join Swansea where he joined fellow countryman Dorus de Vries and Ferrie Bodde. He played against eventual winners Spurs in the 1970-71 League Cup second round and scored once in 29 League games for Swansea prior to joining Crewe Alexandra in August 1971. He made 12 Third Division appearances for Swansea before reuniting with Terry Cooper at Bristol City in February 1985. He re-joined Swansea in July 2001 and netted 18 goals in 113 League games overall. Helping Port Vale reach the FA Cup fifth round in 1976-77, he joined Stafford Rangers in July 1978 and later played for NantwichTown and Droylsden. He has since coached at Blackburn and Newcastle. The striker made his Champions League debut in a qualifier against FB Kaunas in 2003, eventually going on to score 16 goals in 43 games for the Hoops. He was twice a Welsh Cup winner and ever-present in 1989-90, scoring twice in 160 League games prior to joining Crystal Palace for 275,000 in July 1991. Versatile former Welsh Youth international Kris O'Leary was Player of the Year in Swansea City's 2004-05 promotion and Welsh Cup 'double' triumph. GEORGE SMITHExperienced midfielder George Smith missed just three matches for Swansea City during the 1975-76 season. He was loaned to Swansea in March 1991 and helped win the Welsh Cup, then rejoined Swansea for 20,000 in August 1994 and netted 23 goals in 106 League games before joining CardiffCity for 20,000 in July 1997. The Manchester City teenager arrived on loan in January 2022 but found game time hard to come by in a fairly settled Swans back three. DIMITRIOS KONSTANTOPOULOSAfter starting out in Greek football and gaining Under-21 honours, he made his way to England in 2003 to play for Hartlepool United. A catalogue of injury problems hampered his progress and he scored once in 104 League games before retiring on medical advice at 25 in January 2003. Versatile defender Edgar Newell helped Swansea win the Third Division (South) title in 1948-49. The younger brother of Marc Coates, he turned professional at the Vetch Field in July 1993 and appeared for the Swans in the 1996-97 Third Division play-off final. RONNIE BRIGGSNorthern Ireland international goalkeeper Ronnie Briggs starred as Swansea reached the FA Cup fifth round in 1964-65. Went on to manage Barnsley, Darlington and Hereford. He made a significant contribution as the Swans were League One play-off finalists in 2005-06 and returned from an ankle injury to help clinch the League One title in 2007-08. PHIL WILLIAMSEx-Welsh Youth winger Phil Williams featured in Swansea City's 1987-88 promotion campaign. Featuring in their 1965-66 Welsh League title triumph, he played for Pembroke Borough, Haverfordwest, Llanelli and Ammanford. He returned from National Service to turn professional in October 1954 and made his League debut in the Swans' 2-0 victory at home to Leeds United three months later. Appearing in the 1967-68 FA Cup run, 1969 Welsh Cup final and 1969-70 promotion campaign, he played 80 League games prior to joining Merthyr Tydfil in July 1970, then assisted Caerau. Abbott featured in the side that narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs at the end of the 2006-07 season, before departing during the summer for Darlington after 18 appearances (nine as sub) and one goal. Welsh U-21 central defender Matt Rees had a loan spell at Swansea City during the 2003-04 campaign. A former Manchester City junior, he failed to secure a first-team slot and was loaned to Swansea in July 1972, making 11 League appearances while at the Vetch Field. He helped them win the Third Division title in 1987-88 and was loaned to Charlton Athletic and Port Vale before moving to the Vetch Field in November 1991. A former Gillingham junior, he played for Erith & Belvedere before joining Oxford United in July 1971 and made his League debut in their 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield in September 1972. He rejoined Swansea in March 1985 and netted 43 goals in 127 League games, then played for Barry and Llanelli. He was one of three players - Leon Britton and Garry Monk the other two - who played in all four divisions with the club after playing in the famous victory over Hull City at the Vetch Field that secured the Swans their Football League status at the end of the 2002-03 season. Born in New Zealand, he signed professional for Barnsley in March 1999 and made his League debut in their 4-0 defeat at home to Preston in April 2001. A former Huddersfield Town trainee, he turned professional in June 1986 and made his League debut against Derby County four months later. GRAHAM BROWNGoalkeeper Graham Brown briefly played for Swansea City during the 1976-77 campaign. Ever-present in their 1997-98 promotion success, he joined Barnsley in July 1999 but was sidelined by an Achilles injury. Joining Tranmere Rovers in February 1983, he had spells at Northwich Victoria, Tranmere again and Oswestry Town before moving to Swansea on a non-contract basis in September 1984. Making four League appearances, he moved to Gresley the following month, then played for Barry, Gresley again, King's Lynn, Barwell and Coalville. However, a seemingly innocuous challenge against Birmingham in November 2008 resulted in cruciate ligament damage and despite two operations and trying numerous comebacks, the player was forced to retire from football in his prime after 59 appearances (three as sub) and 14 goals. He was joint top scorer in 1956-57, netting 38 goals in 84 Second Division games before joining Liverpool in exchange for Roy Saunders plus 4,000 in March 1959. CHRIS BURNSMidfielder Chris Burns had two spells with Swansea City. He made ten consecutive Second Division appearances in place of the injured Johnny King but then struggled to oust the Welsh international, playing 17 League games for Swansea before moving to Arbroath in September 1960. Also played for Newport County, Forest Green and Eastleigh. Ex-England Youth goalkeeper Neil Cutler had a loan spell at Swansea City during the 2002-03 campaign. Scoring twice in 36 League games for Swansea, he later joined Liverpool's coaching staff. He joined Gillingham and Sheffield Wednesday. Managed at Wrexham, Doncaster and Wolves. Signing professional for Shrewsbury Town in October 1970, he made his League debut in that month's 2-0 defeat at Halifax Town and followed Gregg to the Vetch Field for 5,000 in August 1973. The goalkeeper came from a footballing family, and started his career at Macclesfield Town in 1995 before moving to Hull City in 1998. He re-joined Newport for a third spell in charge and became general manager. Welsh international striker John Toshack managed Swansea City from the Fourth Division to First. PETA B'ALACGoalkeeper Peta B'alac had a loan spell at Swansea during the 1973-74 season. The Polish striker arrived at the Liberty from Huddersfield Town for 150,000 in January 2007. He moved to Bournemouth in February 1960, then had a spell with Northampton before reuniting with Bill McGarry at Watford in November 1963. He scored two goals both memorable for different reasons contributing a header in a 4-0 win over rivals Cardiff City and a superb solo effort against Reading. Initially with Crusaders, he joined Linfield in November 1941 and helped them win both the Irish League title and Irish Cup on three occasions, moving to the Vetch Field in December 1946. In July 2010 the loan move was made permanent and Marcos enjoyed three seasons with the Seagulls before joining Portsmouth at the beginning of 2013-14. Former Scotland international winger Tommy Craig was an experienced figure as Swansea City won promotion and the Welsh Cup in 1980-81. He moved to Woking in August 2004 and played for them in the 2006 FA Trophy final. Signing professional for Leeds United in August 1973, he joined Norwich City in April 1975 and had loan spells at Northampton Town and Stockport County prior to joining Swansea in July 1977. When goalkeeper Doris de Vries opted against renewing his contract at the Liberty Stadium following promotion to the Premier League, the hunt was on for a replacement. Their 1991-92 FA Cup semi-finalists in 1934-35 dennis John played for Barry and.. To Bournemouth in February 1960, then played for Swansea, he turned professional in June and... The League One play-off final triumph was Swansea City during the 1973-74 season amateur... Savarese was Swansea City in 1998 his League debut against Derby County four months later by Achilles! 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Career at Macclesfield Town in 1995 before moving to Hull City in the 2006 FA Trophy through.