43 Welshmen

By Chris
October 30 2015

It is believed 43 players whom have donned the jersey of Manchester United, or Newton Heath before it, are of Welsh nationality - including, of course, the most decorated footballer in the history of British football.

In recent years, the number of Welsh Reds could be regarded as relatively low in number; with only nine having made a first-team appearance for the club since the turn of the 1980s.

Between them, United's Welsh contingent have made 3,409 appearances for the club - over half of which were made by three men alone.

The majority of Welshmen to have represented United did so prior to the onset of the Second World War though many made only a handful of appearances. Indeed, seven of United – or Newton Heath – players to have represented the club prior to the Second World War made only a single appearance.

Billy Meredith was by far the most famous Red from the club's earlier years, notching up 335 appearances and 36 goals for the club over a 15-year spell; but much less is written of Ray Bennion - who, capped ten times for Wales, also notched up over 300 appearances for United between 1921 and 1932.

Meredith, meanwhile, was capped 48 times for Wales, and boasts the record as the oldest player to feature for United - aged 46. He is regarded by many to be one of the game's first star names.

In the 1950s, Swansea-born forward Kenny Morgans was a survivor of the Munich Air Disaster, whilst countryman Colin Webster had not travelled due to ill health. Welshman Jimmy Murphy of course briefly took the reigns as manager of the club following the Disaster.

In more recent times, Ryan Giggs is of course the first name who springs to mind when discussing Welshmen at United. Now assistant manager, the 963 appearances he made for United far eclipsed the 758 made by previous record holder Sir Bobby Charlton; and his array of honours in the English game may never be matched.

Mark Hughes - who later managed Wales - is another much-celebrated Welsh United star; and his return of 467 appearances for the club rank him second in United's Welsh appearance makers list. Sparky, who enjoyed two spells with the club, scored only five fewer goals than Giggs and only Thomas Bamford eclipses his goals-to-game ratio for the club*.

Hughes also has more Wales caps than any other player to have made a first-team appearance for the club - with 72, eight more than Ryan Giggs, and 21 more than Mickey Thomas.

Thomas and Clayton Blackmore are other 'staple' names when discussing the club's playing links with Wales. Following Tom Lawrence's departure to Blackburn this year, no player in the current first-team squad is a Welshman - but Reagan Poole, recently signed from Newport County, will be hoping to become the 44th United player to be a representative of the Land of my Fathers.

In order of appearances, here’s those 43 Welsh Reds:

* For players having made a notable number of appearances, at least.

Manchester United's 43 Welshmen

Discussion started by manutdweb.com , 30/10/2015 09:51

manutdweb.com
30/10/2015 09:51

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Edward Potter
30/10/2015 14:15

Hi, my name is Edward Potter and I work at www.footballticketpad.com. I have an idea for a blog post. Email me at e.potter@footballticketpad.com. Thanks

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Rogero
06/11/2015 18:35

Great list - good work. I will take this to the pub tonight and test Gerwyn out!

One typo - Ron Tudor Davies was known as Ron Davies, played for Wales and Southampton with great distinction. Did not score for us but was cheered on by Doc's Red Army in 74-5. Great memories of taking the second division by storm.

Where have all the years gone!!

Rogero aged 54!

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