James Henry Griffiths (4 January 1931 – 25 April 1978) was a Welsh professional footballer and football manager. In his time at Swansea he filled multiple roles, as player, physio, coach, trainer, assistant manager and manager. As a player, he made 421 appearances for Swansea Town scored 72 goals, and was also capped by Wales. He left to join

Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr Tydfil (; cy, Merthyr Tudful ) is the main town in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, Wales, administered by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. It is about north of Cardiff. Often called just Merthyr, it is said to be named after Tydf ...

in 1964, but returned to Swansea as a coach in 1967, and between 1975 and 1978 was Swansea's manager. Despite promising performances at the start of the 1977–78 season, Griffiths resigned as manager, doubting his ability to take the club any further. He worked as John Toshack's assistant until his death on 25 April 1978, when he suffered a heart attack prior to the win against

Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe United Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England. The side currently competes in the National League, the fifth tier of the English football league system. The tea ...

which the team won 3–1. The following Saturday they beat Halifax Town 2-0 and clinched promotion to the Third Division.

References

1931 births 1978 deaths Welsh footballers Wales international footballers Swansea City A.F.C. players Welsh football managers Association football fullbacks {{Wales-footy-defender-stub