Communist Police, George Best ... and Fawlty Towers

Gareth Davies

Picture from 'The Racecourse Robins' - click here to buy a copy

The Big Interview: The second part of Peter Davies's chit-chat with legendary '70s Reds defender, and captain, Gareth Davies (click here for part one)

Do you think you should have got more Welsh caps?
"Maybe. They had quite a weak side at the time, but injuries hit me at very bad times."

You played against Iran…
"Yes, Mike Smith watched me play for Wrexham - I think he lived quite close. We went over to Iran and it was lovely - before the Ayatollahs came to power. The centre of Teheran was amazing. I remember Phil Dwyer and myself getting a taxi through the city - incredible. The hotel we stayed in was nice, quite Western in fact."

What about your other international experiences?
"I also travelled to Poland and East Germany with Wales. There, the hotels were full of army officers - all over the place they were! I also played against England at Cardiff. I had to mark Trevor Francis that day. My third and final cap was against Northern Ireland at the Racecourse. Obviously, it was nice to play on home soil, but it was the most nerve-wracking occasion of the three. David Jones of Norwich, Leighton Phillips, Yorath, Flynn and Joey were all in the side, so it was a great day. It was also very hot, if I remember correctly. The season after this game I did my hamstring, and I was eased out of the national squad. Looking back, it was tremendous to play for my country, especially as it was quite late on in my career - I was 29 when I won my last cap. At home, I've still got my three Wales caps, plus a couple of England jerseys I got as swaps at the end of under-23 internationals. I've lost my Division 3 Championship medal, though!"

Tell us about your Testimonial:
"It was a couple of years after the promotion season. I rang Fulham, and even got George Best to come along. We had to haggle over his appearance fee, and I spent a couple of days sweating over it, but he eventually came and he was a lovely man. There were 11,000 in the ground and we had a great day - and night!'

Have you enjoyed running the hotel?
"Yes, apart from the time my mates tore down the main sign outside and erected one saying Fawlty Towers!"

By the way, is it Davis or Davies? 
"Not sure myself. For half my Testimonial programme, I was "Davis"; for the other half I was "Davies". Yes, it was a collector's item! When people ask me for my autograph, I just do something a bit vague!"

Any political views?
"I'm losing patience with Tony Blair."

Who is your favourite all-time Wrexham player?
"Arfon was the best player - he could pass the ball and score goals. He was super-fit and a good team man.'"

Who is your favourite Reds player of recent times?
"Karl Connolly. He used to blow hot and cold, but he was tremendous in the air. I'm surprised he didn't move on before he did."

Who are your favourite Premiership footballers?
"I'm a Liverpool fan, but I do like Bergkamp and Vieira for Arsenal. Bobby Moore was my model centre-half."

Any other favourite centre-halves?
"Norman Hunter - I should have copied him! I used to admire John Roberts and Eddie May, and more recently, the whole French back-four when they won the World Cup."

What was your verdict on Flynn?
"He did a good job, although obviously he was never as popular as he might have been. Players like Bryan Hughes, Karl Connolly, Phil Hardy, Gareth Owen and Steve Watkin owe their careers to Flynn. Perhaps though, none of these players, with the exception of Hughes, have gone as far in the game as one might have expected."

How do you view Pryce Griffiths?
"I know him very well and he's a lovely man. He did a hell of a job at the Racecourse."

Can you remember your last game for Wrexham?
"Yes, I got injured and lasted 20 minutes. It was disappointing to end on such a sad note, but I was really struggling with my knee. I played for Lex for a season, and enjoyed that, but I knew it was the end. I also played in a couple of Veterans games."

What's your view of Wrexham, the place?
"It's changed for the better. Eyesores have come down - there are now better buildings, pubs and clubs. A lot of people still know me in town. I was a footballer and a publican, so people know my face. People are always stopping me to have a word."