A memorial to the world’s oldest football coach has been unveiled in his home town of Bargoed.
Ivor Powell, who passed away last month aged 96, holds the record for being the oldest active football coach at 93.
A framed photograph of the coach was unveiled at Hanbury Road Baptist Chapel last week after it was donated by a former player coached by the late Mr Powell.
Dr Gareth Morgan trained with Mr Powell at Bath University in the 1980s and thought a tribute should be placed in his home town of Bargoed.
He said: “I wanted to offer a tribute to Ivor and his achievements. Ivor recalled with pride his Bargoed origins and for students from his homeland, he would shout ‘Go on….do it for Wales’.
“Ivor lived for many years in Bath and most of the tributes to him will be there. So I thought something in Bargoed was important and the memorial in the church will offer the community an opportunity to pay their respects to one of their own.”
Cllr Harry Andrews, leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, added: “As a famous son of Gilfach, Bargoed, it is only fitting that the local community have a way to remember Ivor’s achievements and his legacy. He was hugely popular with all who met him and I am certain that his successes as a player and as a coach will continue to inspire people for many years to come.”
The church is open daily and local people who remember Ivor or simply want to pay their respects can call in and see the framed memorial.
Mr Powell began working as a coach at the University of Bath in 1973. He started his working life in the mines of South Wales before entering a football career that saw him play for Queen’s Park Rangers, Aston Villa and Blackpool, as well as earning 14 caps for Wales.
At Blackpool he struck up a friendship with Sir Stanley Matthews, who went on to be best man at his wedding.
After retiring from playing football Ivor took up a coaching career that took him to Leeds United, Carlisle and PAOK of Greece, among others.
In 2004 he was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame and in 2006 his role as the world’s oldest working football coach was recognised as a Guinness World Record.
He was made an MBE in the 2008 New Year’s Honours List.