Few players embody the essence of a football club like Arfon Griffiths does with Wrexham AFC. Revered as the “Prince of Wales” by the club’s faithful, Griffiths’ 22-year association with Wrexham not only solidified his place as a club legend but also left a lasting impact on Welsh football as a whole. His journey, from local footballer to international star and successful manager, reflects a unique tale of loyalty, passion, and remarkable ability. Griffiths’ legacy is defined not only by his technical skills on the pitch but also by his dedication to the team, his willingness to fight for his beliefs, and his unforgettable contributions to Wrexham’s golden era.
Born on August 23, 1941, in Wrexham, Arfon Trevor Griffiths began his footballing journey in local junior football. His early promise did not go unnoticed, and it was a former Wrexham player, Frank Blew, who first recognized his potential. With keen interest from major clubs like Liverpool and Sheffield Wednesday, Griffiths could have easily been swept into the bright lights of a bigger footballing stage early on. However, his loyalty to his hometown, combined with Wrexham manager Cliff Lloyd’s influence, saw him commit to Wrexham, signing amateur terms with the club in May 1957. This marked the beginning of a long and successful partnership that would span over two decades.
In November 1959, Griffiths made his debut for Wrexham’s first team, a 2-1 victory against Reading. It was a significant moment not just for the club, but also for Griffiths himself, as it signaled his arrival on the professional stage. That season, he played a pivotal role in securing the Welsh Cup for Wrexham with a 1-0 victory over Cardiff City. In this period, Griffiths was quickly establishing himself as a talented midfielder with a keen eye for goal, and his performances would soon attract attention from beyond Wales.
Griffiths’ growing reputation inevitably attracted the attention of bigger clubs, and in February 1961, Arsenal swooped in with an offer of £15,500 to secure his services. His move to the Gunners was an exciting step in his career, and for many, it represented the chance for Griffiths to showcase his abilities on a much larger stage. However, his time at Arsenal was a mixed experience. Making his debut in April 1961 in a 5-1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Griffiths struggled to secure a regular spot in the first team.
During the 1961–62 season, Griffiths made 14 league appearances for Arsenal, scoring twice. His role as an attacking midfielder showed glimpses of his capability, but the fierce competition for places and perhaps a slight misalignment with the playing style meant that he never fully established himself in London. Nevertheless, his performances were solid enough to earn international recognition, being called up to the Wales under-23 side. Yet, as a result of limited first-team opportunities, Griffiths made the decision to return to Wrexham, where he had already built a strong foundation.
Wrexham welcomed Griffiths back with open arms, paying a club-record fee of £12,000 to bring him back to the Racecourse Ground. It was a move that would prove to be pivotal, not just for Griffiths, but for the club as well. He returned to a hero’s welcome, and it wasn’t long before he reclaimed his place as a vital figure within the team.
In particular, Griffiths’ second spell at Wrexham coincided with some of the most successful years in the club’s history. His technical prowess, vision, and leadership qualities helped guide the team to multiple accolades, including promotion to the Football League Third Division in the 1969–70 season. His ability to dictate play from midfield and his knack for scoring crucial goals made him a fan favorite, earning him the affectionate nickname “Prince of Wales.”
One of the standout moments of Griffiths’ playing career came in Wrexham’s European ventures, which included memorable runs in the European Cup Winners’ Cup. In 1976, Griffiths captained Wrexham to the quarterfinals of the competition, where they narrowly lost to eventual champions RSC Anderlecht, 2–1 on aggregate. This European journey marked one of the high points in the club’s history, and Griffiths’ role in it further cemented his legendary status at the Racecourse Ground.
While Griffiths was earning plaudits at club level, his performances did not go unnoticed on the international stage either. Throughout his career, he earned 17 full caps for Wales, becoming a key player for the national team during an era where Welsh football struggled to break through to major tournaments. Undoubtedly, his crowning moment in international football came in 1975, when he scored against Austria at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham. The goal helped Wales secure their place in the finals of the 1976 European Football Championship, a historic achievement for the national team.
This match against Austria was particularly special for Griffiths. Not only did it represent a career highlight on a personal level, but it also showcased his ability to rise to the occasion when his country needed him the most. For a player whose career had largely been spent outside the top tiers of English football, his contributions to the national team proved that talent and passion could shine on any stage. Griffiths’ international career might not have been filled with major tournaments, but his dedication to Wales, much like his loyalty to Wrexham, was never in question.
As Griffiths’ playing career wound down, it became clear that his leadership qualities would make him a natural fit for management. Having played under eight different managers at Wrexham, Griffiths had absorbed a wealth of knowledge about the game and about the unique challenges that come with managing a lower-league club. In May 1977, following the resignation of John Neal, Griffiths was appointed as Wrexham’s manager. Consequently, he took charge of a team that had narrowly missed out on promotion the previous season, and the pressure was on to deliver success.
Griffiths did not disappoint. In his first full season as manager, he led Wrexham to the Football League Third Division championship in 1977–78, securing promotion to the Second Division. It was a historic achievement for the club, as Griffiths became the first manager in Wrexham’s history to guide them to this level of football. The team’s success was built on a combination of the same fighting spirit that had defined Griffiths as a player and his tactical acumen as a manager.
However, life in the Second Division proved challenging. The higher level of competition and a series of injuries took their toll on Wrexham’s performances, and the team struggled to establish themselves. Despite the difficulties, Griffiths remained a figure of respect and admiration at the club. However, an internal disagreement with the board in May 1981 led to his resignation. A season plagued by postponements due to heavy snow had resulted in financial difficulties for the club, and Griffiths was asked to make significant cuts to the playing staff, backroom team, and youth development. He refused, citing his commitment to protecting the club’s future and its players, and thus, his time at Wrexham came to an end.
Griffiths wasn’t away from football for long. In August 1981, he was appointed manager of Crewe Alexandra, a role that he held for just over a season before resigning in October 1982. His time at Crewe, while short-lived, demonstrated his continued passion for the game, although it was clear that his best years as a manager had been spent with Wrexham.
After leaving Crewe, Griffiths briefly played for his local side, Gresford Athletic, before ultimately retiring from football. He shifted his focus to running a newsagents’ shop in his village and indulged in his love for golf, content with the knowledge that his playing and managerial career had left an indelible mark on Welsh football.
In recognition of his contributions, Griffiths was awarded an MBE in June 1976 for his services to Welsh football. His legacy at Wrexham was further honored in 2006 when he was made club president, and his name was added to the club’s Hall of Fame.
Arfon Griffiths’ story is one of loyalty, talent, and perseverance. Similarly, it’s a tale of a player who could have pursued fame and fortune at bigger clubs but instead chose to dedicate his career to his hometown team. As both a player and a manager, Griffiths helped to shape one of the most successful periods in Wrexham’s history, and his impact on Welsh football is still felt today. His record of 591 Football League appearances and 120 goals for Wrexham stands as a testament to his consistency and brilliance on the pitch.
Arfon Griffiths is not just a footballer who passed through the halls of Wrexham AFC—he is the beating heart of the club, a figure whose name will forever be synonymous with its greatest moments. The “Prince of Wales” may have hung up his boots and stepped away from the dugout, but his legacy lives on, etched into the very fabric of Welsh football history.