Ivor Powell
From Ffaith
Ivor Verdun Powell was born in Gilfach Bargoed on 5th July 1916. He gained only eight Welsh international caps but notched up a record transfer fee for a half back (£17,500) when he moved from QPR to Aston Villa.
He was inducted to the Welsh Sporting Hall of Fame in 2004.
In 2006 while assistant coach for the University of Bath football team he celebrated his 90th birthday and entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest working football coach. He has completed 53 years as an FA accredited coach.
Snippets
Ivor was once replaced by Blackpool FC teammate, Englishman Stanley Mortensen, in an international England v Wales fixture after his injury left the Welsh side without an available substitute.
During the Second World War Ivor worked as an RAF physical trainer, and he became friends with Sir Stanley Matthews, who went on to be Ivor’s best man at his wedding to Joan Browell in 1943.
See also
- England
- List of Welsh Sportsmen and Women
- Welsh Sporting Hall of Fame
- Stanley Mortensen
- Blackpool FC
- Bargoed
- Aston Villa
- QPR