RIP Gordon Davies

We have only just learned of the death of Gordon Davies who died as long ago as 19^th June 2020 at the age of 87. Gordon played in our very first Fourth Division match at Watford on 23rd August 1958 and went on to make eleven Football League appearances for the club scoring one goal.

Gordon Davies was born on 4^th September 1932 at Ardwick, Manchester. Aged sixteen he was given a trial by Manchester United and once scored four goals for United’s ‘A’ team in an 8-0 win. At this time, he was turning out for Ladybarn in the Manchester Lads Federation.

Gordon joined Ashton United as a part-time professional and scored on his Lancashire Combination debut against Netherfield on 12^th May 1951. Before long Gordon had attracted the attention of Manchester City and after scoring ten goals in just sixteen Lancashire Combination   games,   he was transferred to City for £2,500 – a huge fee for a non-league player at that time.

Employed as a machine tool maker at Ward and Goldstone in Pendleton, Gordon remained a part-time professional throughout his Football Legue career. He spent five and a half seasons with City appearing largely in their Reserve team where he made 165 Central League appearances and scored 62 goals. He also played in City’s first team on thirteen occasions , scoring five goals.

In June 1957 Gordon joined Chester where he appeared in twenty-two Third Division North games and score five times. Although retained by Chester Gordon declined their terms and came to Haig Avenue in August 1958. Manager Trevor Hitchen had high hopes that Gordon and his former City colleague, Bobby Cunliffe would form a strong left-wing  pairing, but they rarely found their best form when playing together.

I first saw Gordon played for Southport Reserves against Clitheroe in September 1958 when he scored one of our four goals. I have little recollection of that game, but I do remember standing in the paddock where I saw Gordon’s final League game for club against Barrow in November 1958. Not only did he give away a penalty (which Jack Richardson saved) but he also missed a couple of easy scoring chances. The hypercritical Haig Avenue crowd were unforgiving.

Gordon was given a free transfer by Wally Fielding shortly after he took over as Player Manager and he joined Morecambe in March 1959, scoring on his debut against Nelson.

The following season saw Gordon at Horwich RMI where he suffered from cartilage trouble and ended his semi-professional football career.  However, he went on to play for Siemens in the Manchester Industrial League until he was forty-two years old.

Gordon was living in Withington when Geoff and I visited him and when we last heard from him, he was living at Holmes Chapel.   A football prodigy, he never quite fulfilled his early promise.

MPB