Keith Pontin

Keith Pontin (14 June 1956 – 2 August 2020) was a Welsh professional footballer who played as a central defender. Pontin began his career with Cardiff City, making nearly 200 league appearances and earning two caps for the Welsh national team.

Keith Pontin
Personal information
Full name Keith Pontin[1]
Date of birth (1956-06-14)14 June 1956
Place of birth Pontyclun, Wales
Date of death 2 August 2020(2020-08-02) (aged 64)
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Position(s) Central defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1976–1983 Cardiff City 193 (5)
1983–1985 Merthyr Tydfil
1985–1991 Barry Town 189 (15)
National team
Wales U21 1 (0)
1980 Wales 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He later played for Merthyr Tydfil and Barry Town. With the latter, he won several Welsh Football League titles and was appointed club captain, winning several player awards during his spell there. In later life, he developed dementia which his family have attributed to his football career.

Club career

Born in Pontyclun, Pontin began his career at Cardiff City, working his way through the youth system before making his debut in a 2–0 victory over Charlton Athletic on the opening day of the 1976–77 season. He returned to the reserves shortly afterwards due to the arrival of Paul Went from Portsmouth but was eventually recalled in September 1977 when Went was moved into a more attacking role. His impressive form over the next few seasons meant he missed very few matches for the Bluebirds and was called up for the Wales squad.[3]

During the 1981–82 season he played in more matches than any other player in the squad but couldn't stop the club from being relegated. It was at the start of the following year that things turned sour for him at Ninian Park when he fell out with manager Len Ashurst after an argument and was allowed to leave the club to join Merthyr Tydfil.[3][4]

He signed for Barry Town in 1985.[1][5] Club historian Jeff McInery described the signing as "quite a coup for Barry at the time" given Pontin's playing history. He made his debut for the club against Minehead in the FA Cup.[6] Pontin's performances for Barry led him to be voted the club's Player's Player of the Season three times, in 1988, 1989 and 1981, and the Club's Player of the Season in 1987.[7] During this time, he also helped the club to win Division One of the Welsh Football League in three consecutive seasons between 1986 and 1989. In his later years with Barry, he was appointed club captain and also briefly acted as assistant manager under Mel Donovan before leaving in 1991 having made more than 200 appearances in all competitions.[7][8]

International career

Pontin earned one cap for Wales at under-21 level,[1] and two for the senior team.[5] He made his senior international debut in a 4–1 win over England on 17 May 1980. His second, and final, cap came four days later on 21 May in a 1–0 defeat to Scotland.[9]

Later life

Pontin was married with two daughters. At the age of 59, Pontin developed dementia, which his family attribute to his football career.[10][11] He died on 2 August 2020 at the age of 64.[12]

References
  1. "Keith Pontin". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  2. Rollin, Jack, ed. (1980). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1980–81. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 114. ISBN 0362020175.
  3. Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 155. ISBN 1-85983-462-0.
  4. "Profile". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Transfer Database. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  5. "Keith Pontin". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  6. Davies, Iwan Gabe (3 August 2020). "Barry Town United pay tribute to 'Rolls-Royce' player Keith Pontin". Barry and District News. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  7. "Obituary: Keith Pontin". Barry Town United F.C. 2 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  8. "Season Archive". Barry Town United F.C. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  9. "Wales – International Results 1980–1989 – Details". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  10. "Cardiff City ex-player with dementia 'gave life to the club'". BBC News. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  11. Kate Morgan (30 May 2018). "Ex-football stars with dementia 'forgotten' by authorities". BBC News. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  12. "Ex-Cardiff and Wales defender Keith Pontin dies". BBC Sport. 2 August 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
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