Who were North Wales football’s star clubs when Cymru qualified for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden?
Cymru have just competed in their first World Cup finals in 64 years.
Sweden staged the tournament back in 1958 and Wales drew all three of their group matches, against Hungary (1-1), Mexico (1-1) and the hosts (0-0).
The Welsh then beat Hungary 2-1 in a play-off to reach the quarter-finals, where they lost 1-0 to mighty Brazil, the eventual world champions, the only goal coming in the 66th minute from 17-year-old Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé.
Fast forward to 2022 and Wales had a lot to live up to in their bid to emulate stars of ’58 such as Ivor Allchurch, Terry Medwin and John Charles.
Sadly, it all ended in disappointment as Rob Page’s side finished bottom of their group, losing 3-0 to England, 2-0 against Iran and drawing 1-1 with the USA.
Not the outcome any of us wanted, but still it was great to qualify for the finals again.
So, what was the state of the Welsh football club scene in 1958?
We had four clubs in the Football League in 1957-58.
Cardiff City and Swansea Town (they did not become City until 1970) finished in 15th and 19th respectively in Division Two (now the Championship), Wrexham ended up 12th in Division Three North and Newport County took 11th spot in Division Three South.
North Wales’ two leading non-league clubs in 1957-58 were Bangor City and Rhyl FC, both of whom participated in the Cheshire County League.
Bangor finished eighth that season, the Lilywhites one place and one point below.
Domestic club scene in North Wales
There was no League of Wales or indeed a tier 2 Cymru North in 1957-58 – neither of those emerged until the early 1990’s.
The best of North Wales – aside from Wrexham, Bangor City and Rhyl – 64 years ago battled it out in the Welsh League North.
In 1957-58, Holyhead Town were crowned champions, finishing a point ahead of Caernarfon Town, with Holywell Town in third.
This was the era of the great Tommy Welsh, record goalscorer along the North Wales coast who netted 631 times over his illustrious career, most of those produced during his golden years at Holyhead.
Other cracking teams in Welsh League North during the 1950’s included title-winners Fflint Town United (3 times), Pwllheli and District (2) and Borough United.
55th R.A. Tonfannau
One of the most successful teams of 1957/58 were the 55th Royal Artillery Tonfannau, made up of super-fit soldiers stationed at the Tywyn army barracks.
Not only did Tonfannau win the Cambrian Coast League that season, they also lifted the Welsh Amateur Cup, beating Porthmadog 3-1 in the final.
In 1953/54, Tonfannau had won the Welsh League North.
During the 1950’s the team could call upon many young players doing National Service, some of whom were destined for great things in football.
They included George Showell, who would play 200 games for the legendary Wolverhampton Wanderers of the 50s, Ronnie Clayton, who made 579 appearances for Blackburn Rovers and won 35 full England caps, plus future Busby Babe Tommy Taylor, a Manchester United striker who died in the 1958 Munich air disaster.
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS AND CUP WINNERS OF 1957-58
League winners
Anglesey League champions
Newborough
Caernarfon and District League champions
Penrhos United
Vale of Conwy League champions
Gwydyr Rovers
Welsh National (Wrexham Area) League
Division One champions
Brymbo Steelworks
Division Two champions
Royal Pioneer Corps
Division Three champions
Marshalls Sports Club
Runners-up – British Celanese
(British Celanese was a chemical company based in England. Formed in 1916, it survived as an independent company until 1957 when it became a subsidiary of Courtaulds)
1957/58 Cup winners
Welsh Cup
Wrexham (beat Chester in the final, 2-1 replay after first game ended 1-1)
NWCFA Junior Cup
Newborough
NWCFA Challenge Cup
Bangor City
NWCFA Intermediate Cup
Holywell Town