George Latham

Welshman George Latham did not enjoy a very successful footballing career, but that all changed when he turned to coaching. He started as an amateur player with his hometown team Newtown FC in 1897 before spending seven seasons at Liverpool, where he played just 19 games. He moved to nearby Southport Central in 1909, during which time he became the Sandgrounders’ first ever international. After one season, Latham moved to Stoke City, but only played eight games for them, before returning to his native Wales in 1911 and taking up coaching.

Having made his Welsh international début in 1905, Latham was called up for his 10th and final cap against Ireland in 1913 despite being part of the Cardiff City coaching staff at the time. He travelled with the Welsh team as a trainer for their match against Ireland, but was called upon to play.

Latham served with Volunteer Company of the 24th South Wales Borderers in the Second Boer War in 1900-01, during which time he played football for the South African clubs, Docks FC and Caledonian FC. He obtained a commission into the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1915, and during the hostilities was three times mentioned in dispatches and honoured with the Military Cross for bravery on the Turkish front, and was also recommended for the Victoria Cross, the highest British military honour. During his time serving abroad he played football for his regiment, and they won the British Forces (Egypt) Football League Cup in 1919.

After the War, Latham returned to Cardiff City, and in 1920 was also coach to the 1920 British Olympic team. He then saw the rise of Cardiff City from Southern League club to nearly capturing the English League title. They joined the Football League in 1920 and under manager Fred Stewart and coach Latham, the club won promotion to the first division in their début season. One day after his 40th birthday in January 1921, because of a shortage of players, Latham turned out in his first League game for Cardiff, against Blackburn, as he became the club’s oldest ever debutant. Cardiff finished runners-up in the top flight in 1924, losing the title on goal average by a mere 2/100ths of a goal. Had the current formula of goal difference applied, Cardiff would have won the title. The following season they appeared in their first FA Cup final but lost to Sheffield United. However, in 1927 they created history by becoming the first non-English club to win the Cup, when they beat Arsenal 1-0 at Wembley. They also won the Welsh Cup that season.

Sadly, the inevitable decline in fortunes came and, in 1932, after 20 years as head trainer, Latham was released by the club for economic reasons. He joined Chester for two seasons and helped them to beat Wrexham in the final to win the 1933 Welsh Cup. He returned to Cardiff in 1934 but was forced to retire due to ill health in 1936. He died three years later, and Newtown FC named their ground Latham Park in his honour.