Ron Davies

Ronald Tudor Davies (25 May 1942 – 24 May 2013) was a Welsh footballer, who played as a centre forward. He spent most of his career with Southampton in the Football League First Division, and also for the Welsh national team.

Born in Holywell, Flintshire, Wales, he went to the same school as the Spurs defender Mike England, whom he played alongside in internationals for Wales. He was known as a header of the ball and was the top goal scorer in Division 1 for two seasons (1966–1968). In his first season at Southampton, he scored 12 goals across 10 consecutive league games. He went instead to Luton Town for a fee of £12,200 and, when they were relegated, he moved on again to Norwich City.

Norwich City His transfer to Norwich in September 1963 involved a fee of £35,000. He averaged more than a goal every other game for Norwich, starting with a goal in each of his first four matches. He went on to score 30 goals that season in a side who finished 17th in the English Football League, Division Two. In the next two seasons he scored 15 and 21 before being sold to Southampton for £55,000.

He made his international debut at the age of 21 for Wales on 15 April 1964 in a 3–2 defeat against Northern Ireland.

Southampton Ted Bates had spent a then club record £55,000 for Davies as the club prepared to face their inaugural season in the top division. Already an established Welsh international, Davies scored 12 goals in 10 consecutive League games, and ended that season having scored 37 goals in 41 games, more than any other player in the division. The club retained their place in the division. The first of his 134 League goals for Southampton was on 27 August 1966 at Bloomfield Road, as his club beat hosts Blackpool 3–2. In front of a crowd of 15,258, he lobbed Tony Waiters. "The 'keeper came off his line – way out of the box. I was 35 yards out and I couldn't believe it. I just knocked it over his head." The appeal organised on his behalf by fans of Southampton was successful, enabling him to have two hip replacements and providing a surplus for his general use. However, following the death of his American partner, Chris, in 2009 he once again became reclusive.

Death Davies died in Albuquerque on 24 May 2013.

Career statistics Club