Glan Letheren

Glan Letheren
Personal information
Date of birth (1956-05-01)1 May 1956
Place of birth Dafen, Carmarthenshire, Wales
Date of death 6 June 2024(2024-06-06) (aged 68)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
–1973 Leeds United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1973–1977 Leeds United 1 (0)
1976–1977 → Scunthorpe United (loan) 27 (0)
1977–1979 Chesterfield 63 (0)
1979–1981 Swansea City 21 (0)
1981–1982 Blackpool 0 (0)
1982 Oxford City
1982–1983 Scarborough
1983–1984 Bangor City
1984–1986 Llanelli Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Glan Letheren (1 May 1956 – 6 June 2024) was a Welsh professional footballer who played in the Football League as a goalkeeper.

Club career

Hailing from Dafen, Carmarthenshire,[1] Letheren started his career at Leeds United. On 24 October 1973, he made his senior debut in a 0–0 draw against Hibernian in the UEFA Cup.[2] Afterwards, he was on the bench during the 1975 European Cup final against Bayern Munich.[3]

He later played for Scunthorpe United, Chesterfield, Swansea City, Blackpool, Oxford City, Scarborough, Bangor City and Llanelli Town.[4][5]

International career

Letheren represented Wales under-23 team in two matches.[3][6] Despite being called up to the Wales senior team, he never achieved a full international cap.[7]

Coaching career

Following his retirement from playing, Letheren transitioned into coaching and scouting roles, contributing his goalkeeping expertise to teams such as Leeds United, Swansea City, Exeter City, Chester City, Leicester City and the Football Association of Wales,[5] as well as being the manager of the Wales women's national team.[1][2] Additionally, he ventured abroad to work in Australia, Haiti, and St. Lucia.[1]

Outside football

Letheren was also a successful cricketer in the South Wales Cricket Association, playing mainly for Dafen Welfare CC, as a medium pace bowler and middle order batsman.[3]

Personal life

Letheren's son Kyle also became a professional football goalkeeper. He was also called up and remained uncapped by Wales at senior level.[8][7]

Letheren died on 6 June 2024, aged 68.[5][9][6] He had been diagnosed with primary peritoneal carcinoma in May 2023.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Swansea City saddened by passing of Glan Letheren". Swansea City A.F.C. 6 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Tribute to Glan Letheren". Chesterfield F.C. 6 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b c McKenna, Ben (6 June 2024). "Glan Letheren: Ex-Leeds United and Swansea City goalkeeper dies aged 68". National World.
  4. ^ "Glan Letheren". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  5. ^ a b c "Ex-Swansea and Leeds keeper Letheren dies aged 68". BBC Sport. 6 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Ex Boro keeper Glan Letheren passes away". Scarborough Athletic F.C. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Morecambe sign goalkeeper Letheren". BBC Sport. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  8. ^ "New Goalie". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 7 August 2009. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  9. ^ Lewis, Ian (7 June 2024). "Tributes to Llanelli-born Swansea and Leeds goalkeeper Glan Letheren". InYourArea.co.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Support needed for Glan Letheren's treatment". Leeds United F.C. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2024.


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