Tributes paid to former Swans hero
A FORMER Swansea Town player and member of the coaching staff, who once came on as a sub for the great Stanley Matthews in a Great Britain team, has died.
Roy Saunders — dad of Wrexham boss and former Wales striker Dean — made almost 100 appearances for Swansea Town before going on to become player-manager at Ammanford.
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Roy Saunders
He then went on to join the Swans coaching staff and later became involved in matchday hospitality at the Liberty Stadium.
It is believed that 78-year-old Mr Saunders had been ill for some time before his death.
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Swansea City director Dave Morgan said: "Many people will have fond memories of Roy. Our thoughts are with Dean and the rest of the family at this time."
The ex-England youth wing-half began his career as an amateur with Hull. At 17 he joined Liverpool and made 150 appearances for the Reds. During his time at Anfield he came on as a substitute for Stanley Matthews in an exhibition match between a Great Britain XI and a Rest of the World team. He joined the Swans in 1959 and made his debut against arch-rivals Cardiff. He made 94 appearances for Swansea — netting three goals — and played in the club's 1961 Welsh Cup Final triumph.
He later joined the club's coaching staff, and when the team moved to the Liberty Stadium he teamed up with ex-star Alan Curtis to work in hospitality in the Morfa Legends Lounge.
Wrexham Football Club issued words of support to their manager and his family.
A statement said: "Everyone at Wrexham Football Club would like to express their sympathy following the news that Roy Saunders has passed away.
"He will certainly be missed by his family, and Dean in particular would always turn to his father for advice during his career as both a player and now a manager.
"The Saunders family and Roy's friends are in our thoughts at this very sad time."
Comments
by michael roberts, swansea
Wednesday, February 04 2009, 9:30PM
“what a great man who gave so much to football both with the swans and the junior league.
he'll be greatly missed by all that knew him.”
by roy adams, swansea
Saturday, January 31 2009, 12:54PM
“What a lovely man Roy was,along with his great mate the late Harry Griffiths,they both had such a wonderful sense of humour,we all had so many enjoyable nights down at the Heathcliffe Club where, of course football was always the topic. My sincere condolence to Roy's family.”
by m.clarke, swansea
Friday, January 30 2009, 8:38PM
“roy saunders a true
swansea man and a
gentleman”
by Paul & Alison Powell, Ebbw Vale
Friday, January 30 2009, 7:51PM
“Just had to write.
All thoughts with Roys family at this very sad time.
My Wife and I only met Roy once, on a plane to Crete, four hours and it felt like we had known him for a lifetime.
Great fun !
An absolute gentleman !
We are so sorry.”
by kieron haley, swansea
Friday, January 30 2009, 7:48PM
“my bamp was a grate man
and his life was dedercated to the swans.
will be missed by meany of people”
by The Kane Family, Swansea
Friday, January 30 2009, 5:46PM
“At this very sad time our thoughts are with Roys family, especially, Eileen, Dean & Alison.
We have very fond memories of a great man.
One of life's "True Gentlemen."
Roy will be sadly missed by all our family.”