Ronnie Rees: Former Wales, Swansea and Coventry winger dies aged 79

[dutchman]

Winger Ronnie Rees won 39 caps for Wales



Former Wales and Swansea City winger Ronnie Rees has died at the age of 79.

Rees was born in Ystradgynlais but began his career at Coventry City after being scouted playing for Merthyr Boys, heading for the Midlands in 1960.

He made more than 230 appearances for the Sky Blues, starring in Third Division and Second Division titles.

Spells at West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest followed before Rees joined Swansea in 1972, making a century of appearances.

Rees, who was equally comfortable on either wing, represented Wales 39 times in the 1960s and early 70s.

After leaving Swansea in 1975, he ended his playing days at Haverfordwest and Merthyr Town, before hanging up his boots at the end of the 1975/76 season.

Rees became a car worker with Ford at Swansea and Bridgend before working as an administrator at Cardiff City.

He suffered a stroke at the age of 51 which affected both his speech and mobility in his later years.

[dutchman]

Coventry City pay tribute to double title winner who starred in 'Midlands Match of the Century'



Coventry City have paid tribute to former Sky Blues winger Ronnie Rees, who has died at the age of 79.

Rees made 262 appearances for Coventry and scored 52 goals. He starred in the club's Third Division and Second Division title triumphs during the 1960s.

He won 39 caps for Wales and also had spells with West Bromwich Albion, Nottingham Forest and Swansea City, making a century of appearances for the latter. Rees also turned out for Haverfordwest and Merthyr Town before hanging up his boots in 1976.

It was while playing for Merthyr Boys that Rees was scouted by Coventry and manager Billy Frith brought the youngster to Highfield Road in September 1960. Frith's successor, Jimmy Hill, handed Rees his first professional contract in April 1962.

He soon broke into the first team and became a mainstay of the side over the next six years, as the Sky Blues rose from the third tier to the top flight. Rees scored 15 goals and was ever-present as Coventry won the Division Three title in 1963-64, including a hat-trick in an 8-1 thrashing of Shrewsbury Town.

He was also a key figure as Coventry claimed the Division Two crown in 1966-67. A key provider, he also scored a crucial goal in the famous 3-1 win over Wolves in front of a record Highfield Road crowd of 51,455 in April 1967. Dubbed "Midlands Match of the Century", the result all but sealed promotion to the top flight for the first time in the club's history.

In 1968, Rees was sold to West Brom for £65,000. He soon moved on to Forest before returning to his native Wales to end his playing career.

In later life, Rees worked for car manufacturer Ford in Swansea and Bridgend, and as an administrator at Cardiff City. A major stroke at the age of 51 affected his speech and mobility, and he spent his final years in a Swansea care home.

Coventry described him as "one of most exciting talents of the 1960s and the Sky Blue Revolution", who will be remembered for "his close control and pacy, jinking runs down the flanks".

The Sky Blues said: "Coventry City are deeply saddened to learn of the death of the former player Ronnie Rees. Our condolences are with family and friends of Ronnie at this sad time."

Swansea echoed those sentiments, saying: "Everyone at Swansea City is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player Ronnie Rees at the age of 79. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Ronnie’s friends and family at this sad time."