Wales Veterans founder member dies suddenly

One of the founder members of Wales Veterans Football, Dennis Murphy, has sadly passed away at the age of 79. Dennis, 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.