My claim to fame which I've told on here many times over the years
has a connection to this story - when I was in my early 20's (circa 1970 say) I used to train at the old Glyn Derw High in Ely with office mates who had a team in Cardiff Combination league. Somehow they'd managed to persuade the great Don Murray, still playing for City of course, to come and coach the team for a couple of hours midweek. He was brilliant, no airs or graces, just one of the lads. We'd stop off for a bevvy afterwards usually at the Ty Pwll Coch on Cowbridge Road (is it still there?). At the time I was playing for Taffs Well in the SW Amateur League but - the other connection - had previously had 2 full seasons with Newport County in their Welsh League side, never getting a first team outing.
I just looked up Don's playing career: Don Murray made over 400 appearances for Cardiff between 1962-75; he made his debut at the age of 17 years 113 days and still holds the club record for consecutive appearances with 146 games between May, 1968 to November, 1971, The club received a number of offers from higher clubs for Murray but he always decided to stay with CCFC.
They don't make them like that any more