Harry Griffiths (footballer, born 1931)

James Henry Griffiths (4 January 1931 – 25 April 1978) was a Welsh professional footballer and football manager. In his time at Swansea he filled multiple roles, as player, physio, coach, trainer, assistant manager and manager. As a player, he made 421 appearances for Swansea Town scored 72 goals, and was also capped by Wales.[1]

Harry Griffiths
Personal information
Full name James Henry Griffiths
Date of birth (1931-01-04)4 January 1931
Place of birth Swansea, Wales
Date of death 25 April 1978(1978-04-25) (aged 47)
Place of death Swansea, Wales
Position(s) Full-back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1949–1964 Swansea Town 422 (72)
International career
1953 Wales 1 (0)
Managerial career
1975–1978 Swansea City
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He left to join Merthyr Tydfil in 1964, but returned to Swansea as a coach in 1967,[2] and between 1975 and 1978 was Swansea's manager.[1]

Despite promising performances at the start of the 1977–78 season, Griffiths resigned as manager, doubting his ability to take the club any further. He worked as John Toshack's assistant until his death on 25 April 1978, when he suffered a heart attack prior to the win against Scunthorpe United which the team won 3–1. The following Saturday they beat Halifax Town 2-0 and clinched promotion to the Third Division.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Top 25 Players – Harry Griffiths". Vital Swansea. Vital Football. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  2. ^ "Harry Griffiths". This is South Wales. 18 August 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2010.