Gareth Davies (footballer, born 1973)

Gareth Melville Davies (born 11 December 1973) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a central defender. He made over 100 appearances in the Football League during his career before being forced to retire after a long-term knee injury.

Gareth Davies
Personal information
Full name Gareth Melville Davies[1]
Date of birth (1973-12-11) 11 December 1973
Place of birth Hereford, England
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position(s) Centre back
Youth career
1989–1992 Hereford United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1995 Hereford United 95 (2)
1995–1997 Crystal Palace 27 (2)
1997 → Cardiff City (loan) 6 (2)
1997–1999 Reading 19 (0)
1999–2002 Swindon Town 25 (0)
2002–2003 Chippenham Town 15 (2)
2014– Hay Sunday Saints 0 (0)
National team
Wales U21 8 (?)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Although he was born in England, he grew up just across the border in Wales and represented them at Under 21 level.[1]

Personal life

Davies was born in Hereford. His cousin, Kevin Sheedy, was also a professional footballer.[2]

His son, Rhys, is also a footballer who currently plays for Aberystwyth Town having previously played for Hereford FC.

Career

Davies joined his local club Hereford United as a YTS trainee at the age of 15,[2] making his debut for the first team in 1992. He was sold to Crystal Palace in 1995 for a £120,000 fee,[2] and was later transferred for £175,000 to Reading. He made one Premier League appearance for Crystal Palace in a game against Leicester City.

He first suffered an injury to his knee while playing for Swindon Town, which severely restricted his appearances for the club. In 2002, after undergoing three operations on his knee, Davies decided to retire from professional football.[2][3] He later played for non-league side Chippenham Town, before retiring from football altogether in 2003 to work in the recruitment industry.

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References
  1. "Gareth Davies". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  2. Ian Morgan (7 May 2002). "Davies' heart is still with Hereford club". Worcester News. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  3. "Gareth Davies". Swindon Town F.C. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
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