Top footballer and a true gentleman

ON a list of the Top 25 Welsh footballers of all time, I noticed that at number 12 was the great Trevor Ford.

This reminded me of an incident which happened to me more than 50 years ago, around 1970.

At the time I was teaching in Tottenham in London, and was on my way home to play in a cup final for my local team, Ffostrasol, in the Cardiganshire League.

From the underground I got on the train in Paddington. As I walked through the carriages I noticed a familiar, famous face, whom I immediately decided to sit opposite.

I said, “How are you Mr Ford?”, not knowing what response I’d get. “I’m fine thank you,” he said. He was so easy to talk to, like an old friend.

I explained that I was going home to play in a cup final and he wished me luck.

When Sunday morning came I caught the train back to London in Carmarthen.

I had to change at Swansea station. Who should happen to be on the platform but Trevor Ford. This time he recognised me first and came up and asked, “How did you get on?” I was glad to tell him that we had won.

What a legend. As a gentleman, he would be number one on the list.

Ken Evans

Ffostrasol