Roy John (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Ronald John | ||
| Date of birth | 29 January 1911 | ||
| Place of birth | Briton Ferry, Wales | ||
| Date of death | 12 July 1973 (aged 62) | ||
| Place of death | Port Talbot, Wales | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| ?–1927 | Briton Ferry Athletic | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1927–1928 | Swansea Town | 0 | (0) |
| 1928–1932 | Walsall | 88 | (0) |
| 1932–1934 | Stoke City | 71 | (0) |
| 1934 | Preston North End | 0 | (0) |
| 1934–1936 | Sheffield United | 29 | (0) |
| 1936–1937 | Manchester United | 15 | (0) |
| 1937 | Newport County | 10 | (0) |
| 1937–1939 | Swansea Town | 40 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 1931–1938 | Wales | 14 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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William Ronald "Roy" John (29 January 1911 – 12 July 1973) was a Welsh international footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Manchester United, Newport County, Sheffield United, Stoke City, Swansea Town and Walsall as well as the Wales national team.
Born in Briton Ferry, John began his career with Briton Ferry Athletic before joining Swansea Town in 1927. At this time he was an outfield player, originally a full-back (where he was "not greatly appreciated") before initially moving forward to play as a half-back, where he gained a reputation as "a resolute tackler with a useful kick". He left Swansea in May 1928, having not played a Football League game for them.
He then joined Walsall, where he played for the reserve side as a half-back. Following the departure of Fred Biddlestone to Aston Villa in January 1930 and an injury to the reserve goalkeeper, manager Sid Scholey asked John to try out for the custodian's shirt. John did so well in a practice match that he was quickly promoted to first-team goalkeeper. Within months he made his international debut, when he played for Wales against Ireland on 22 April 1931. His debut match ended in a 3–2 victory to the Welsh. One writer of the time described him as "dashing and daring – a gay cavalier who laughs fortune in the face".
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