Gil Reece
Encyclopedia
Gilbert Ivor Reece was a Welsh
international footballer.
Reece was working as a plumber when he joined Cardiff City
as a part-timer in May 1961 and made his way into the reserve side before spending a period on loan at Ton Pentre
. He was released by the club during the 1962-63 season and joined Pembroke Borough until the end of the season when he was offered the chance to sign for Newport County
in 1963. At the end of the following season his impressive displays convinced Sheffield United
to pay £10,000 to sign him and soon after he was called up to win his first cap for Wales
against England
.
His time at Sheffield United was interrupted by a badly broken leg, but despite this he went on to appear over 200 times for the club, establishing himself as a fan favourite with the Bramall Lane
crowd, before leaving to return to his hometown club Cardiff City in September 1972 alongside teammate Dave Powell in an exchange deal for Alan Warboys
. Appointed club captain, he went on to play in a variety of different roles for the club and in his first two seasons his goals helped the club win the Welsh Cup
, scoring a hat-trick in the second leg of the 1973 final and once in the second leg of the 1974 final. The club suffered relegation during the 1974-75 season, with Reece finishing as the clubs top scorer with 8 goals, but managed to win promotion on the first time of asking the following year. Reece left the club at the end of the season and joined Swansea City
where he spent a short time before retiring.
After 1976 Reece played for non-League Barry Town
. On retiring from his playing career he ran a family heating business before becoming a hotelier in Cardiff.
He was also the brother of Welsh boxer Leonard "Luggie" Reece.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
international footballer.
Reece was working as a plumber when he joined Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
as a part-timer in May 1961 and made his way into the reserve side before spending a period on loan at Ton Pentre
Ton Pentre F.C.
Ton Pentre Football Club is a football team based in Ton Pentre, Wales, which plays in the Welsh Football League Division Two.Nicknamed the "Rhondda Bulldogs", the team plays at Ynys Park, Ton Pentre, Rhondda Cynon Taff, which once accommodated 2700 seated spectators...
. He was released by the club during the 1962-63 season and joined Pembroke Borough until the end of the season when he was offered the chance to sign for Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
in 1963. At the end of the following season his impressive displays convinced Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
to pay £10,000 to sign him and soon after he was called up to win his first cap for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
.
His time at Sheffield United was interrupted by a badly broken leg, but despite this he went on to appear over 200 times for the club, establishing himself as a fan favourite with the Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
crowd, before leaving to return to his hometown club Cardiff City in September 1972 alongside teammate Dave Powell in an exchange deal for Alan Warboys
Alan Warboys
Alan Warboys is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.-Career:Warboys began his career at Doncaster Rovers, making his debut in April 1967 at the age of 17, before moving to Sheffield Wednesday in 1968...
. Appointed club captain, he went on to play in a variety of different roles for the club and in his first two seasons his goals helped the club win the Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
, scoring a hat-trick in the second leg of the 1973 final and once in the second leg of the 1974 final. The club suffered relegation during the 1974-75 season, with Reece finishing as the clubs top scorer with 8 goals, but managed to win promotion on the first time of asking the following year. Reece left the club at the end of the season and joined Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
where he spent a short time before retiring.
After 1976 Reece played for non-League Barry Town
Barry Town F.C.
Barry Town FC are a football team based in Barry. They dominated the League of Wales during the 1990s, but finished bottom in 2003-04 and were relegated...
. On retiring from his playing career he ran a family heating business before becoming a hotelier in Cardiff.
He was also the brother of Welsh boxer Leonard "Luggie" Reece.