Quick Facts
Biography
John Leighton Davies ((1927-08-24)24 August 1927 — April 1995 (aged 67–68)) born in Skewen (birth registered in Swansea), was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s and '50s, playing representative level rugby union (RU) for Glamorgan County RFC, and at club level for Neath RFC, and playing club level rugby league (RL) for Wakefield Trinity, as a Centre, i.e. number 3 or 4, he died in Wakefield.
After retirement, he became a patron of Wakefield RFC and was an active supporter of the club until his death.
He was also heavily responsible for Wakefield RFC’s 'Salute to Rugby' book a compilation of "favourite recipes from famous people" including Prince Charles and the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, which was published in 1980 in support of Wakefield Rugby Football Club.
An acknowledgment in the book reads
“J Leighton Davies, for his superhuman efforts in compiling all the recipes”.
He was the father in law of former Wakefield RFC captain Martin Shuttleworth and grandfather of Otley's Iain Shuttleworth.
Contemporaneous Article Extract
"Born in Skewen, South Wales, gained international schoolboy honours at Neath Technical. Played for Neath R.U. and had represented Glamorgan County on six occasions to reach the verge of international honours before turning to R.L. in October 1948. Looked set for an illustrious professional career when a succession of knee injuries forced his premature retirement in 1952."
Genealogical information
John Leighton Davies' marriage to Dorothy E. Banham was registered during April→June 1950 in Wakefield district.