Morris: Richard (Dickie)

1905-1906 (Leeds City Player Details)

Inside Left

Born: Newtown: 1879

Debut: v Bradford City (a): 02-09-1905

Height & Weight: Unknown

Morris fought in the Boer war before starting his football career. The Welsh International Morris started with Llanidloes, but joined Ruabon Druids in February 1902, and then went to another Montgomeryshire club, Newtown RWW, before joining First Division Liverpool in March 1902. Morris made his debut in a home match with Bury on 19th April 1902. Although he only scored five times in his thirty-eight League appearances for the club, two of them earned a draw in the Merseyside derby with Everton in October 1903. He only played in one F.A. Cup tie for the club, a 1st Round defeat away to Blackburn Rovers on 6th February 1904. He gained his first Welsh cap while with Liverpool when he played for them against Ireland on 22nd February 1902. He left Anfield to join newly elected Second Division Leeds City in July 1905. He made his debut in City’s first Football League game at Valley Parade in September 1905. Morris became City’s first International when he was capped by Wales, against Scotland in a 0-2 defeat at Tynecastle on 3rd March 1906, a distinction that he also holds at Plymouth Argyle and which was attained when he scored against Ireland in Belfast on 23rd February 1907, in the year that Wales gained their first-ever Home Championship title. Morris was a star performer for City with his tireless running and expert ball control. While not a prolific goal-scorer at Elland Road he did score four goals in one F.A. Cup preliminary Round, when City enjoyed a goal-feast in an 11-0 win over local side Morley. Morris left Leeds and Joined Grimsby Town in June 1906 and scored seven goals in twenty-four League games and also played two F.A. Cup ties while at Blundell Park, before joining Southern League club Plymouth Argyle in 1907 before moving on to Reading and Huddersfield Town in 1908 before retiring at the end of the 1908-09 season. He played eleven times for Wales.