Reg Davies (footballer, born 1933)

Reginald Walter Davies (10 October 1933 – September 2019) was an English football goalkeeper who played 296 league games in a 13-year career in the Football League with West Bromwich Albion, Walsall, Millwall Leyton Orient, and Port Vale. He won the Fourth Division title with Millwall in 1961–62.[3]

For the Welsh international footballer born in 1929, see Reg Davies. For English footballer, see Reginald Davies (footballer, born 1897).

Reg Davies
Personal information
Full name Reginald Walter Davies[1]
Date of birth (1933-10-10)10 October 1933[1]
Place of birth Tipton, England[1]
Date of death September 2019 (aged 85)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1953–1955 West Bromwich Albion 4 (0)
1955–1957 Walsall 53 (0)
1957–1963 Millwall 199 (0)
1963–1964 Leyton Orient 11 (0)
1964–1965 Port Vale 13 (0)
1965–1966 Leyton Orient 16 (0)
Total 296 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Davies began his career at West Bromwich Albion, just as Vic Buckingham's "Baggies" finished second in the First Division in 1953–54, four points behind champions Wolverhampton Wanderers. They then finished a disappointing 17th in 1954–55. Davies played only four league games at The Hawthorns, and moved on to Walsall, who were struggling near the foot of the Third Division South. John Love's "Saddlers" finished 20th in 1955–56 and 15th in 1956–57, with Davies playing 53 league games at Fellows Park. He then moved on to league rivals Millwall in May 1958, who had finished in 23rd place in 1957–58 to become founder members of the Fourth Division. Jimmy Seed's "Lions" posted a ninth-place finish in 1958–59, before finishing just four points outside the promotion places in 1959–60 under the stewardship of Reg Smith. They ended the 1960–61 campaign in sixth place, though were this time ten points short of the promotion zone. Promotion was finally won in style, as manager Ron Gray – the man who originally signed Davies to the club – returned to lead Millwall to the title in 1961–62, one point ahead of Colchester United. They ended the 1962–63 campaign in 16th place in the Third Division. Davies played 211 league and cup games during his six years at The Den and was nicknamed "The Cat" by supporters.[2] He moved on to Benny Fenton's Leyton Orient in July 1963, and played 11 Second Division games in the 1963–64 season. He signed with Freddie Steele's Port Vale in July 1964.[1] After winning his first team place from Ken Hancock, he was the "Valiants" number 1 between November 1964 and February 1965, before he himself was replaced by new manager Jackie Mudie's signing Jimmy O'Neill.[1] He played 14 league and FA Cup games in the season, as Vale were relegated out of the Third Division.[1] He left Vale Park and returned to Brisbane Road in March 1965 for a small fee. He played 16 league games as Dave Sexton's Orient were relegated out of the Second Division at the end of the 1965–66 season, and Davies then retired from the Football League.

Style of play

Davies was a muscular and agile goalkeeper.[2]

Later life

He later worked at Jersey Airport and completed his national service with Royal Artillery.[2] He died in September 2019, aged 85.[2]

Statistics

Source:[4]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
West Bromwich Albion 1953–54 First Division 10000010
1954–55 First Division 30100040
Total 30100050
Walsall 1955–56 Third Division South 3304000370
1956–57 Third Division South 2001000210
Total 5305000580
Millwall 1958–59 Fourth Division 3503000380
1959–60 Fourth Division 4601000470
1960–61 Fourth Division 4100010420
1961–62 Fourth Division 4301020460
1962–63 Third Division 3403010380
Total 199080402110
Leyton Orient 1963–64 Second Division 1100010120
Port Vale 1964–65 Third Division 1201000131
Leyton Orient 1964–65 Second Division 1100000110
1965–66 Second Division 50000050
Total 1600000160
Career total 2960150503160

Honours
West Bromwich Albion
Millwall

References
  1. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 79. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. "Reg Davies". www.millwallfc.co.uk. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  3. "Reg Davies". Barry Hugman's Footballers Post-War Premier & Football League Players' Records. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  4. Reg Davies at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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