Evans Dai Image 2 Reading 1927

Description

Abercanaid, Merthyr Tydfil born left half David “Dai” Evans (he was known as ‘Dai Gethin’ after the pub owned by his parents) started his football career with Troedyrhiw Stars in 1920 before joining Merthyr Tydfil in July 1922. But successive spells with Merthyr Town, Nelson and Bolton Wanderers in 1922 and 1923 saw him unable to break into any of their first teams, until he joined Third Division (South) club Reading in August 1924, for whom he made his Football League debut the same month at Exeter City.

His four seasons at Reading were highly successful, he scored 7 goals in the campaign as Reading won the Third Division (South) Championship in 1925-26, and he was rewarded with international recognition, winning 4 Wales caps, the first of which was in a defeat against Ireland at Windsor Park, Belfast on 13th February 1926, the last in a defeat to Scotland at Ibrox on 27th October 1928.

He also played 10 matches in their FA Cup run as Reading went all the way to the 1927 FA Cup semi final where they lost 3-0 to eventual winners Cardiff City at Molineux. After 11 goals in 141 appearances over four seasons at Reading he was signed by First Division Huddersfield Town in June 1928, but, initially a first team regular, he lost his place in the side in January 1929 after 19 appearances and joined Second Division club Bury in May 1929. He made his last appearance for Bury, also of 19, on Boxing Day 1929, and joined Midland League club Burton Town in 1930. He later joined Welsh League (North) club Bangor City in 1935.

NB This photograph was taken on 9th April 1927 when Wales played Ireland at Ninian Park, Cardiff.