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Daily Mirror
20 minutes ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'I joined Arsenal over Chelsea and Spurs - it was the most terrible choice I ever made'
Mel Charles' transfer to Arsenal set a record for the biggest transfer between British clubs in 1959, but the Welshman described the move to north London as the worst decision he ever made Mel Charles once admitted that his record-breaking transfer to Arsenal ranked as the "most terrible choice I ever made". The former footballer - who passed away aged 81 in 2016 - enjoyed a 20-year career that included captaining Wales and representing his nation at the 1958 World Cup, where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Brazil, with Pelé scoring the sole goal in a 1-0 win. It was only a year after the competition in Sweden that Charles, who had spent seven years in the Second Division, secured a £42,750 move from boyhood club Swansea City to the north London side, who were in the First Division, amid reported interest from Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. The transfer set a record as the biggest deal brokered between two British clubs and happened just two years after Juventus had paid Leeds United £65,000 for his older brother, John Charles. However, the big-money move for the younger Charles didn't work out. Due to constant ligament injuries, he played just 64 games for the Gunners in three years while scoring 28 goals. In his ghosted autobiography, Charles was particularly scathing of his own decision to join the club, claiming "signing for Arsenal was the most terrible choice I ever made." He cut ties with the club in 1962 and returned to Wales, signing for Cardiff City for £28,500. It was in the Welsh capital that Charles captured the only domestic honour of his career, when he won the Welsh Cup in 1964. After three years with Cardiff, he spent the last few years of his career in the lower divisions of football, enjoying stints with the likes of Porthmadog, Port Vale, Oswestry Town and Haverfordwest. He ended up retiring at the Welsh club in 1972 after a five-year stint. Charles ended up with a record of 122 goals in 401 league and cup games in the Football League. John followed in the footsteps of his sibling by also returning home to Wales to retire in 1974 after spending two years playing for Merthyr Tydfil. However, he only did so after a legendary career where he became an iconic figure for both Leeds United and Juventus. The centre-forward scored 154 goals in 317 games for Leeds before venturing into Italian football where he was a massive success. In the five years he spent in Turin, Charles netted 105 goals in 179 games and won three Serie A titles and two Coppa Italias. Charles passed away at the age of 71 in 2004 but remains a celebrated figure in Welsh football and was named by Stan Collymore among the greatest players in British history when rubbishing claims that Gareth Bale is the greatest player to ever emerge from these shores. The former Liverpool and Nottingham Forest star said in 2023: "It's quite bizarre because of how many Champions Leagues he has won and the run he went on at Spurs that turned him from someone who couldn't win a Premier League game to a tour de force. "And because of the trophies you have to put him in amongst the greatest ever. But I look at Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, John Charles — which would obviously mean a lot to Bale — Ian Rush, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard and, I don't know what it is, whether it's this perceived laissez faire attitude of 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order', but I can't put him in with some of those." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
In pictures: Remembering Powys life during the 1950s
WELCOME to bygones and another chance to relive days of yesteryear. Today we head back to the 1950s to share a selection of pictures showcasing Powys life. Some of the pictures may have faded along with memories through time but hopefully such photographs are recognised by friends and family of loved ones who may no longer be with us. Police close off three streets in a Powys village after sinkhole appears Two men to stand trial accused of raping woman in Newtown How can I keep my child safe online? NSPCC guidelines as Ofcom tightens rules Llandrindod Wells Grammar School football team line up in 1955. Mr J Neale of Newtown with two match balls used in Newtown's 1895 Welsh Cup final win over Wrexham which were displayed in 1955. What became of these historic footballs? (Image: County Times.) Welsh Amateur Cup final action between Newtown and Chirk AAA in 1955.
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Brymbo and Gwersyllt Park up for the cup... and the league!
The rivals will return to 50-over Premier Division action on Saturday, before they face each other on Sunday in a big Welsh Cup showdown. It's Brymbo who will have home advantage for that match-up and the winners will join Colwyn Bay as North Wales' representatives in the quarter-finals. Brymbo skipper Dan Parry is anticipating a tough encounter in the cup and he said: 'They have got dangerous men. The overseas has found his feet. 'They have got a few of our old players in Ryan Collier and Jake James that are very dangerous. 'Then you've got the wily Iroshan de Silva.' As an added bonus, the winners know they will receive home comforts in the last-eight, with Pontarddulais their opponents. It's possible Brymbo could claim the North Wales Cricket League and Welsh Cup crowns before the summer is out, but Parry has stressed: 'I would say don't get too far ahead of ourselves! 'We have still got eight more weeks to go.' Of immediate concern is getting into a 50-over frame of mind on the back of a month of T20 action, with Brymbo returning to the longer format with tomorrow's match-up at home to Denbigh. 'I think it's going to be interesting to see how people are going to tackle the powerplay,' said Parry. 'We have had a bit of a chat about it. It's going to be back to how we were.' Brymbo are expected to make two changes for Saturday's side, with an additional amendment to Sunday's side. Gwersyllt Park will warm-up for their cup derby with tomorrow's trip to tackle Mochdre. With the T20 points now shared out, the race for the Premier Division title has just got a lot tighter. There's just eight points separating leaders Bangor from defending champions Mochdre, who are down in fifth. Northop are in sixth position and they will play host to third-placed St Asaph tomorrow. Northop skipper Bart Ryan-Beswick offered his congratulations to Bangor on winning the T20 league, while he's looking forward to the return to 50-over action. He said: "Good game upcoming this weekend and we have a strong team at home to face St Asaph." Front-runners Bangor are at Conwy and Menai Bridge, who are fourth, travel to basement side Bethesda. As with the top flight, at enthralling battle for the Division One title is also taking place. Leaders Mold are involved in the match of the day tomorrow as they pay a visit to third-placed Llandudno. Halkyn, in second position, make the trip to Pontblyddyn, while fourth-placed Hawarden Park are aiming to make home comforts count versus Mochdre Seconds. Long treks are in the offing for Connah's Quay and Northop Seconds, against Bangor Seconds and Dolgellau respectively. Meanwhile, Gresford will have home advantage for their derby clash with Brymbo Seconds. Division Two: Abergele v Llay; Llanrwst v Carmel & District; Menai Bridge 2nds v Marchwiel and Wrexham; Pwllheli v Corwen; Ruthin v Pontblyddyn 2nds; St Asaph 2nds v Buckley. Division Three: Bersham v Abergele 2nds; Buckley 2nds v Conwy 2nds; Caernarfon v Gresford 2nds; Denbigh 2nds v Hawarden Park 2nds; Gwersyllt Park 2nds v Llandudno 2nds; Mold 2nds v Bethesda 2nds. Division Four: Brymbo 3rds v Hawarden Park 3rds, Carmel & District 2nds v Bala; Connah's Quay 2nds v Pwllheli 2nds; Halkyn 2nds v Llanrwst 2nds; Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds v Bersham 2nds; Mynydd Isa & Maeshafn v Ruthin 2nds.
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Draper boost as Newtown complete move for ex-TNS striker
NEWTOWN Football Club have completed a transfer coup on the eve of the new JD Cymru North season. The Robins have swooped to sign striker Greg Draper who arrives with a reputation as one of the recent JD Cymru Premier greats following a glittering career with TNS. The 35 year old departed TNS in 2021 and had a spell at JD Cymru North side Guilsfield before returning to Park Hall where he has continued to represent the Oswestry club's reserve side. Now, Draper has been re-united with ex-Guilsfield boss Nathan Leonard at Latham Park and joins Tom Jones in the line-up following his loan move from TNS. Draper scored 163 goals in 252 appearances for the Saints between 2011 and 2021 while also helping the club to nine league titles and five Welsh Cup triumphs.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Wales and Liverpool defender Jones dies aged 70
Former Wales, Liverpool and Wrexham defender Joey Jones has died aged 70. The left-back, who won 72 caps for his country, had three spells with Wrexham in addition to stints with Liverpool, Chelsea and Huddersfield Town. He enjoyed a glittering three-year period with Liverpool - winning a First Division title, two European Cups, a Uefa Cup and a European Super Cup. The Reds' victory against Borussia Monchengladbach in Rome in 1977 saw him become the first Welshman to lift the European Cup. It led to fans creating a 24ft banner that read 'Joey ate the frogs legs, made the Swiss roll, now he's munching Gladbach'. Jones lifted the Welsh Cup in his first spell with Wrexham and helped Chelsea secure the Second Division title in 1983-84. He sits joint-15th alongside Mark Hughes in the list of most capped male players for Wales. The Llandudno-born left-back became Wrexham's record signing upon his first return to the club in 1978 and held the record until Ollie Palmer moved to the Stok Cae Ras in 2022. Jones retired from football in 1992 at the age of 37. A Wrexham statement read: "Wrexham AFC are devastated to learn of the passing of club legend Joey Jones, who sadly died in the early hours of this morning aged 70 after a battle with illness." The Championship club announced plans to commemorate Jones by commissioning a statue to be placed in the public plaza outside the Stok Cae Ras' Kop Stand. Paying tribute on X, his great friend and former Wales, Wrexham and Chelsea team-mate Mickey Thomas wrote on X: "This morning I lost my best friend and soulmate, Sir Joey, our memories will never fade. "Today my heart is broken. Love you Sir Joey RIP. My condolences are with Janice and all the family." Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge said: "More sad news folks, Joey Jones passed away last night. "What a lovely man and an inspirational full back who gave his heart and soul in a red shirt and for all the clubs he played for! "Our thoughts are with Joey's family! I'm a lucky man to have met him many times. YNWA [You'll Never Walk Alone] RIP top man." Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney said: "Everyone in Welsh football was sorry to hear of the passing of Joey Jones - @Wrexham_AFC @Cymru legend. Loved by many. Cwsg mewn hedd (rest in peace) Joey."
