George Latham

Latham was born in Newtown, Powys, in 1881. He was the fifth of six boys born to William Latham, a general labourer originally from Shrewsbury, and Esther Latham, a laundress from Birmingham. He attended New Road School as a youngster, playing for the school's football team, before training as a tailor in Market Street. At the age of 16, he joined his hometown side Newtown where he played as an inside forward. In his first season, the side reached the fourth round of the Welsh Cup before suffering defeat to Aberystwyth Town. In 1900, Latham volunteered to serve in South Africa during the Second Boer War as a private in the Fifth South Wales Borderers regiment. The battalion had a unit stationed in Newtown which prompted Latham to enlist. He served 14 months in the division, taking part in action at Brandfort and Potchefstroom among others, in a force led by Earl Roberts, and was eventually promoted to the rank of corporal.

Latham began his career as a teenager at his hometown club Newtown in 1897 and spent several years at the club. During his time serving in South Africa, he played for a team named the Docks between the months of May and August, the winter league at the time in the country, finishing as runners-up in the league. He also played in a number of representative matches in the area, including an England vs Scotland match, appearing on the English side, and a Britain vs Colonials match. Latham returned to his first club Newtown for a short spell in 1902 after returning from military service in South Africa,. His form at the time saw him offered a trial with Everton, during which time he was set to be named in a friendly match against West Bromwich Albion but the game was called off due to heavy snowfall in the area. A different friendly match was planned a fortnight later but by then Latham had decided to return to South Africa and he left the country on 22 March 1902. He spent his time there playing for Caledonians, again finishing as runner up in the league and losing the final of the Mayor's Cup to his former side Docks. On his return to Britain, he joined Liverpool, but was forced to wait three years before he made his debut for the club in an 8–1 victory over Burslem Port Vale on 8 April 1905. He struggled to fully established himself in the team, making just 19 appearances in all competitions during a seven-year spell at the club. After leaving Anfield, Latham had spells with…

After returning to Wales, Latham took up a position as a coach at Cardiff City. He was given a benefit match in 1919, with the Cardiff side playing against local rivals Swansea Town. Latham received the gate receipts, a cheque from the club's directors and a commemorative clock from the players. While serving as a coach, Latham was forced into playing for the side in a 3–1 win over Blackburn Rovers on 2 January 1921 after two of the club's players were taken ill prior to the match, becoming the oldest Football League debutant in the history of the club at 41. To this day he also remains their oldest ever player. Working alongside Fred Stewart, his spell at Ninian Park coincided with one of the most successful spells in the history of the club, including reaching the FA Cup final on two occasions, losing 1–0 to Sheffield United in 1925 before beating Arsenal 1–0 in 1927. During his spell with the club, Latham arranged annual charity matches in his hometown between Cardiff and Newtown to rise money for the Montgomery County Infirmary. He was let go by the club in 1932 due to financial reasons as they entered a period of decline. He also managed the British team at the 1920 Olympic Games. After leaving Cardiff, Latham worked as a coach at Chester City until his retirement.

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