Good Health
The Big Interview: Peter Davies meets Dai Davies

Dai Davies

(Picture courtesy of The Racecourse Robins)

Background: Wrexham's most famous goalkeeper, possibly, and one of the heroes of the 1978 promotion side.

Setting: We're inside the Natural Health Clinic, Princess Street, Llangollen.

Tell us about what you do now…

'I run the health clinic we're sitting in now. I own the company - we specialise in herbal remedies and other alternatives to conventional drugs. I also rent rooms out here to a chiropractor and an osteopath. I specialise in remedial massage, muscle work and reiki. I offer a number of different therapies; they are all based on energy.'

Were you always interested in this kind of work when you were a footballer?

'I was influenced strongly by my ex-wife and also by a course I went on. I enjoy the work and I've now got all the required qualifications to practice in the trade. Drugs will always have their place in society; I just feel there's a need for something else, and in this sense I believe that natural health is complementary to traditional medicine and can help people.'

How strongly do you believe in alternative therapies

'I'm not a preacher nor an evangelist. I just equate disease to lack of health. Life is acted out at a pretty fast pace; I see my clinic as a kind of pit-stop. And natural health is a thriving area. My business is growing and I know it's the same in other places - throughout the UK and throughout the world. But as I said, I'm not an evangelist. If people want to find out more about my work, I'll tell them.'

How is Wrexham served for natural health clinics?

'The town itself doesn't have a clinic. So my clinic in Llangollen is really the only one around in the local area. People can come and enjoy the facilities and the local environment. As you can see, my clinic is next to the river. People come here and just go "Wow!" It's a wonderful place to relax.'

It must be a big change: from football to natural health?

'Yes, totally! I work here during the week and then work as a commentator for BBC Wales on Saturdays. From a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere to a violent, aggressive one! I like coming back here after an afternoon at the football and I generally enjoy having these two sides to my life.'

Glenn Hoddle was interested in 'alternative' approaches to healing - Eileen Drewery etc etc. Do you have a similar kind of philosophy?

'The one thing I've got in common with Glenn is this: I believe that there is more than one way to heal people. That's it.'

How does your clinic and its work connect to sport - football in particular?

'Injuries - and their prevalence in modern sport. Many young players over-use their bodies. I'll give you one stat: 15 out of every 50 young footballers never play again because of using their body too much. I believe young kids should play far less soccer. Obviously each individual case is different. Mental strength and toughness are big variables, but young bodies can't take too much wear and tear.'

Tell us about your early days as a footballer…

'I turned professional at the age of 21. I joined Everton but soon found myself surplus to requirements there. Gordon Lee had just bought George Wood and I had to prepare for a move. This was difficult - training every day for an uncertain future. But in a way Lee did me a favour. As one door shut, another one opened. I really wanted to prove that I could make it.'

Wrexham's interest?

'It was the Autumn of 1977. Arfon Griffiths got on the phone. He'd just signed Dixie McNeil - so me and Dixie became roommates and pals almost immediately. Wrexham had just missed out on promotion the season before and confidence was low. The club were fifth from bottom when Dixie and myself moved to the Racecourse.'

Thanks a lot Dai - cheers!

In RP28 Dai tells the promotion story of 1978