Wyn Griffiths

Griffiths was born on a farm in the village of Blaengwynfi, near Maesteg.[2] He began his career as an amateur with Derby County during wartime. He also appeared as a guest player for Cardiff City and Arsenal,[3] including playing in the club's match against Russian side Dynamo Moscow who were touring the UK in 1945.[4] He played the first 45 minutes of the match but was replaced at half time by Colchester United goalkeeper Harry Brown, who had attended the game as a spectator. Griffiths was forced off after sustaining an injury when he was kicked in the head by opposition forward Konstantin Beskov.[5][6] When Griffiths was unable to continue, a call was issued around the ground for a replacement with Brown arriving in the home dressing room just before Charlton Athletic's Sam Bartram.[7]

He signed for Cardiff City at the end of the war and made his professional debut in 1948,[4] playing in a 1–1 draw with Newcastle United.[8] However, he was unable to break into the first team ahead of Danny Canning and later Phil Joslin and eventually left the side in 1952.[4] He moved to Newport County where he made three league appearances.[1]

Following the end of his professional football career Griffiths, who had qualified as a vet in July 1943, was employed at a colliery to treat the site's pit ponies. He went on to open his own veterinary practice in Newport before becoming a fellow at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, becoming one of the first in Wales after publishing a paper on artificial insemination in sheep.[9] He also worked for the Ministry of Agriculture inspecting cattle.[2]

He went on to own race horses and became a well-known figure in horse racing, attending over 50 Epsom Derbys. This eventually led to him working for BBC Radio Wales as a racing reporter and tipster.[3][9]

Griffiths developed Alzheimer's in later life. He died in May 2006 at the age of 86 in Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport after suffering a fall in his home.[2]