Wales Veterans founder member - Funeral arrangements

By Alun Huish

Dennis Murphy BEM 14/9/1945 – 22/06/2025

The funeral of one of the founder members of Wales Veterans Football, Dennis Murphy, will be held at on 8th August 2025, at 12 noon at
St. Tydfil's Old Parish Church,
Lower High Street
Merthyr Tydfil
CF47 8DP

Followed at 1pm, by his committal
Pontycapel Cemetery
Cefn Coed.

A Reception will be held at
Merthyr Town Football Club
Penydarren Park
Merthyr Tydfil
CF47 8RF

Donations in lieu of flowers for:
Ty Hafan Children's Hospice AND Cymru Football Foundation to:
https://www.harpfunerals.co.uk/funeral-details/?tribute=dennis-murphy

Dennis, who sadly passed away at the age of 79, founded Merthyr Veterans Football Club back in 1987 and acted as secretary for almost 40 years. He was awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) for services to Veterans' Football in Merthyr Tydfil.

In his younger days, Dennis turned his back on a promising career in professional football, to become a teacher, but from his time as Merthyr Town’s youngest ever player, his love for the game never waned. It was whilst teaching in Madeley College in Walsall, that he was approached to become a scout for Aston Villa in 1974, a role he carried out successfully for 13 years, picking out 33 top flight players including European Cup winners Brendan Ormsby and Gary Williams.

As one of the longest established veterans football clubs in the country, Merthyr also became one of the most successful clubs in the Wales Veterans Football Association, which Dennis also helped to set-up back in 2009. He was appointed Chairman in 2013 and became a Life, Vice-President in 2016 (he is pictured receiving his award from Ron 'Chopper' Harris).

His passion for the game remained throughout his life and in recent weeks he was still donning his boots with the Wales over 75s squad, and played in the World Cup tournament held in Cardiff in 2024.

This is a sad day for everyone in the Wales Veterans Football Association and this wonderful, gentle man, will be hugely missed both on and off the pitch across the veterans’ football community.

Our thoughts go out to all his family, friends & team mates.

Where next?

Wales Vets match raises £2k for charity! Market Harborough FC o35s 0, Wales o45s Representative Squad 4 Saturday 5th July 2025
Wales Veterans' Football Association AGM Wales Veterans' Football Association Annual General Meeting Leckwith Stadium, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ 2nd July 2025 @ 6pm

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