The popular ex-Swans goalkeeper is receiving treatment in a Wrexham hospice.
There’s sad news emerging this morning as Press outlets in North Wales report that Dai Davies has been diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer.
The hugely popular stopper is being treated in the Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham after a devastating diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of this horrible disease.
Glanamman boy Davies started his career with the Swans in the Third Division but after just a handful of appearances Everton swooped in and took him to the First Division.
Davies spent seven seasons with the Toffees but there was a loan spell with the Swans in the middle of that which yielded another six appearances between the sticks.
After leaving Everton for Wrexham in the late ’70s Dai Davies firmly established himself as a first choice No. 1 and his 144 appearances for the Robins over four seasons help him cement his position in the international set up and he went on to gather 52 caps for Wales – back in the days when internationals were a treasured rarity in the football calendar.
Finally the flirting with a Swansea City career was over as John Toshack signed Davies to be his ‘keeper in the First Division. For many it was harsh on the man he deposed, Dave Stewart, but it’s hard to argue with Toshack’s decision as Davies played a pivotal part in that exciting and successful first foray into the top division – leading from the back I guess you could say.
Seventy appearances as a Swan followed before Davies moved on once more, this time to Tranmere Rovers. He spent just one season at Tranmere before retiring but there was still one more glorious game in him as he came out of retirement to help Bangor City, saving a penalty against Athletico Madrid along the way in the European Cup Winners Cup.
After finally hanging up his gloves Dai Davies moved into punditry and he was a frequent voice on Wales games, and as a fluent Welsh speaker he was an automatic choice for many Welsh language outlets.
Generally known as one of football’s nice guys it’s really sad to hear that the popular 73 year old has been struck down by pancreatic cancer.
Everyone at A Touch Far Vetched would like to extend our support to Dai Davies and his family at this time – let’s hope the big man can pull off one more remarkable save and somehow beat the odds to kick cancer as far downfield as possible.
