Ex-Wales and Newcastle forward Davies dies aged 83

Former Wales forward Ronald ‘Wyn’ Davies has died aged 83.

Born in Caernarfon in 1942, Davies enjoyed an outstanding career in the 1960s and 70s playing for teams including Wrexham, Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and both Manchester clubs City and United.

Nicknamed ‘Wyn the Leap’ because of his heading ability, the 6ft 1in forward represented Wales 34 times, scoring six goals, while he is still revered at Newcastle where he was also known as ‘The Mighty Wyn’.

After starting his playing career, while working in a slate quarry, with local sides Locomotive Llanberis and Caernarfon Town, Davies signed for Wrexham in 1960 before being snapped up by Bolton.

Following his move to Bolton, Davies was first capped by Wales in October 1963 against England and made his last appearance against Poland in September 1973.

The first of his six international goals arrived in 1964, giving Wales an early lead in a 3-2 win against Scotland.

Davies’ most famous strike, though, came in November 1966 – scoring Wales’ only goal in a 5-1 defeat to an England side newly crowned as world champions.

After four seasons with Bolton, Newcastle snapped up Davies in 1966 for a then club record £80,000 fee and he was part of the famous Magpies side that won the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the competition which later became the Uefa Cup – the club’s only major European silverware.

In 1971 Davies left for Manchester, playing first for City – where he won the 1972 FA Charity Shield and rekindled his striking partnership with ex-Bolton team-mate Francis Lee – and then United before departing for Blackpool in 1973.

Spells at Stockport County and Crewe Alexandra followed before Davies returned to Wales to finish his professional career at Bangor City in 1978-79 and then a short spell in South Africa with Cape Town City – hanging up his boots aged 37.