Robert Davies

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.

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". 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. Wrexham next reached the final in 1890, but this time lost by a single goal to Chirk.

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. 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. Davies was not selected again until April 1885, when he failed to score in an 8–2 victory over the hapless Irish.

International appearances Davies made three appearances for Wales in international matches, as follows:

Date Venue Opponent Result Goals Competition 17 March 1883 Ulster Ground, Belfast 1–1 0 Friendly 9 February 1884 Racecourse Ground, Wrexham 6–0 0 British Home Championship 11 April 1885 Ulster Ground, Belfast 8–2 0 British Home Championship WinDrawLoss

Later career Davies was later a referee for the Football Association of Wales and managed the Albion Hotel in Wrexham.

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