Phil Dwyer RIP

[Packerman]

RIP Joe City legend and my all-time City hero, no nonsense defender and a cult hero


His name is Joey Dwyer he's the hammer of our team
Quite emotional, he was our rock in the 70s big part of my favourite season 75/76

[Mr Soul '68]

R.I.P.

R.I.P 'Joey', got some great memories of your time playing with City, especially the epic 75/76 season. It only seems like yesterday i was chatting to you about the incident at Gillingham where you nearly swallowed your tongue and could have died. You told me you were more scared of getting the kiss of life off City's physio that day, than of dying, as you roared with laughter

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

I remember him playing a blinder in a home international against England

He looked huge on the pitch to me in the Canton stand with my dad

[The Lone Gunman]

Phil was a member of the City side in March 1975 when my father took me to my first game at Ninian Park on the day before my eighth birthday - a dire 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday. Both teams were relegated to the Third Division a month later, but the following season was the epic 75/76 promotion campaign in which Phil played an enormous part. He was also an integral member of the team that won promotion in 1982/83 when the Bennett brothers were strutting their stuff at City.

In 2007, I interviewed Phil for the Valley Rams website. We became friends then and I was fortunate enough to enjoy a number of great days and nights with him over the years. One that springs to mind came in May 2008 in the week leading up to the FA Cup Final. We did an interview together for Setanta Sports in the sunshine outside Ninian Park during the afternoon, and then spent several hours getting well and truly 'refreshed' in the Duke of Clarence afterwards. I can remember thinking how surreal it was being sat in a pub with one of my all-time football heroes discussing the Bluebirds' chances in the forthcoming FA Cup Final.

When Phil's autobiography was published in 2011, I helped him with orders taken through the various websites and message boards, and we also arranged a book signing session for him in the Supporters Trust office at the new stadium. I can remember being sat in Phil's living room for a couple of hours while he signed piles of books and carefully wrote dedications for the many fans who'd requested them. The personal message of thanks he wrote inside my copy is something I'll always treasure.

Phil was a guest of honour at the Cardiff City Supporters' Trust launch event in September 2008 and he readily made himself available for numerous fan functions down the years. I last saw him in January 2020 at a 1-1 draw with Reading on a Friday night at the CCS. As always, he had time for everyone, and we had a chat and a laugh after what had been an especially grim game.

Phil Dwyer is a true giant in Cardiff City's history and I was privileged to be able to call him a friend. He'll be missed.

[Wash DC Blue]

Very Sad News

[valleys caveman]

R.I.P Mr Cardiff City.

[MOZZER2]

As been mentioned by others watching him score for Wales v England at ninian park was 1 of my great memories of Mr Cardiff City amongst others

RIP Legend

[BLUEAWAY]

Phil Dwyer: Watch from 1978 as Cardiff City great scores for Wales against England https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59492439

[Gofer Blue]

Phil Dwyer: Watch from 1978 as Cardiff City great scores for Wales against England https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59492439

Thanks for the link - cracking goal. I don't remember it but I must have been there as I moved back to Wales in Feb. 1978 and became a regular ever after. Don't think I missed any of the home championships.

[not telling]

RIP Joe - a legend.

[splott parker]

I spoke about him in work today, such a shame that only one out about 8 blokes had heard of him. Couple are youngsters but they follow the City home and away, they had no idea about him. There’s me telling them that he’s the City’s record appearance holder etc. Sad thing is if it was a stalwart of some other clubs the roads would be closed for the funeral it’d be so packed.

[Madassa]

Cardiff City Great. God Bless

[Sunnysideup]

RIP Big Phil
Sad news indeed

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Phil was a member of the City side in March 1975 when my father took me to my first game at Ninian Park on the day before my eighth birthday - a dire 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday. Both teams were relegated to the Third Division a month later, but the following season was the epic 75/76 promotion campaign in which Phil played an enormous part. He was also an integral member of the team that won promotion in 1982/83 when the Bennett brothers were strutting their stuff at City.

In 2007, I interviewed Phil for the Valley Rams website. We became friends then and I was fortunate enough to enjoy a number of great days and nights with him over the years. One that springs to mind came in May 2008 in the week leading up to the FA Cup Final. We did an interview together for Setanta Sports in the sunshine outside Ninian Park during the afternoon, and then spent several hours getting well and truly 'refreshed' in the Duke of Clarence afterwards. I can remember thinking how surreal it was being sat in a pub with one of my all-time football heroes discussing the Bluebirds' chances in the forthcoming FA Cup Final.

When Phil's autobiography was published in 2011, I helped him with orders taken through the various websites and message boards, and we also arranged a book signing session for him in the Supporters Trust office at the new stadium. I can remember being sat in Phil's living room for a couple of hours while he signed piles of books and carefully wrote dedications for the many fans who'd requested them. The personal message of thanks he wrote inside my copy is something I'll always treasure.

Phil was a guest of honour at the Cardiff City Supporters' Trust launch event in September 2008 and he readily made himself available for numerous fan functions down the years. I last saw him in January 2020 at a 1-1 draw with Reading on a Friday night at the CCS. As always, he had time for everyone, and we had a chat and a laugh after what had been an especially grim game.

Phil Dwyer is a true giant in Cardiff City's history and I was privileged to be able to call him a friend. He'll be missed.

Absolutely, A one club man .....if it had been up to him

[Parti Mellow]

I was extremely sad to hear of the passing of a true Cardiff City great. RIP Sir Phillip John Dwyer.

[Mario Miethig]

Very sad news. That testimonial never did him justice. Very poor turn out, I think we had just got relegated if my memory is correct m. A true club legend.

It was against Stoke, November 82. I actually went, but I regret to say that me and a load of other boys sneaked in behind the Grange End. I was only 13 at the time, so didn’t really appreciate what testimonials were for.
It was a poor turnout, but Stoke were hardly glamour opposition, their star player was Mark Chamberlain, dad of Oxlade.

[splott parker]

It was against Stoke, November 82. I actually went, but I regret to say that me and a load of other boys sneaked in behind the Grange End. I was only 13 at the time, so didn’t really appreciate what testimonials were for.
It was a poor turnout, but Stoke were hardly glamour opposition, their star player was Mark Chamberlain, dad of Oxlade.

Really random choice of opposition.

[Armitage Shanks]

It was against Stoke, November 82. I actually went, but I regret to say that me and a load of other boys sneaked in behind the Grange End. I was only 13 at the time, so didn’t really appreciate what testimonials were for.
It was a poor turnout, but Stoke were hardly glamour opposition, their star player was Mark Chamberlain, dad of Oxlade.

I didn't know that. I remember some of the Stoke team from 82 from Panini stickers.. Peter fox in goal. Adrian heath also played for them.

[Mario Miethig]

Really random choice of opposition.

Joe deserved a lot better.

[splott parker]

Joe deserved a lot better.

He certainly did, it smacks of ‘Who’s refused and who’s available now?’

[Tuerto]

He certainly did, it smacks of ‘Who’s refused and who’s available now?’

The club probably didn't even try to get opposition that would attract more supporters.

[splott parker]

The club probably didn't even try to get opposition that would attract more supporters.

Imagine the conversation, “Joe, we’ve sorted out the opposition for your testimonial”..... “I won’t guess, just tell me, I can’t wait to find out”....”It’s Stoke”..... “F*ck me, I should have stayed at Rochdale”.

[Bluebeard]

Following on from various posters saying Joe was ferocious in the tackle, my abiding memory of him was a game at NP towards the end of his career with us. The opposing Centre Forward had broken through our 'defence' and was one on one with our keeper. As Joe gave chase I screamed 'Chop him Dwyer'. He proceded to execute the perfect tackle from behind and came away with the ball without touching the attacker.
Turns out I was at his first game away at Orient too.
RIP Joe

[Gofer Blue]

Decent write-up on BBC Sport website:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59485088

[SOXY BOY]

I met him a couple of times through a mutual friend, top guy. Condolences to his family friends and ex colleagues at CCFC and SWP. RIP Phil.