William Davies

Career outside football Davies was born, and lived most of his life, at Oswestry, just across the border in Shropshire, England. On leaving school, Davies started working in the office of the county court registrar, before obtaining employment with a firm of solicitors as an accounts clerk. He later became the part-time Registrar of Births and Deaths in Oswestry.

He was a strong churchman and was active in the temperance movement for many years.

He died in Oswestry on 14 November 1916, The match was played at Hamilton Crescent, Partick, the home of the West of Scotland Cricket Club on 25 March 1876, with Davies playing at outside-right in a 2–2–6 formation. The Welsh were well defeated, conceding four goals without reply.

Described as "equally at home as a forward or half back (who) could pass the ball accurately and possessed good dribbling skills", Davies was sometimes criticised for selfishness, although "his presence as a forward always meant danger for opposing defences." including three who were spending a season with Oswestry as their own club, Druids, was temporarily without a ground. The match was played at the Kennington Oval, London in atrocious weather conditions with the team captains agreeing to play only 30 minutes in each half. The match report in The Times said "In spite of the fact that a thick layer of snow covered Kennington-oval on Saturday, the match between England and Wales, announced for that day, was played." England scored twice in the first half, with Davies scoring the Wales reply in the 47th minute; Davies, "with his usual brilliant dash landed the first goal for Wales, amidst tremendous cheering". According to Philip Gibbons, "England were surprised by the level of skill shown by the Welsh team."

In the 1883–84 season, Davies helped Oswestry reach the final of the Welsh Cup where they defeated Druids 1–0 in a replay.

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

Date Venue Opponent Result Goals Competition 25 March 1876 West of Scotland Cricket Ground, Partick 0–4 0 Friendly 5 March 1877 Racecourse Ground, Wrexham 0–2 0 Friendly 18 January 1879 Kennington Oval, London 1–2 1 Friendly 15 March 1880 Racecourse Ground, Wrexham 2–3 0 Friendly

Honours Oswestry White Stars Welsh Cup winners: 1884