Phil Dwyer: Former Wales and Cardiff defender dies

Former Wales and Cardiff City defender Phil Dwyer has died at the age of 68.

Dwyer spent 16 years with Cardiff and holds the club record for most appearances, having played 575 games for the Bluebirds.

He had joined his hometown club in 1969 and made his first-team debut against Leyton Orient three years later.

Dwyer, who was born in Grangetown, won 10 caps for Wales between 1978 and 1979 and scored two goals, including one on his debut against Iran.

During his time at Ninian Park he won two promotions from Division Three, with Cardiff finishing as runners-up in 1975-76 and again in 1982-83, as well as three Welsh Cups.

After ending his playing career with a spell at Rochdale, Dwyer became a police officer with South Wales Police.

In a statement the Bluebirds said: "Our thoughts go out to Phil's friends and family at this extremely sad time. On their behalf, we ask that their privacy is respected."

Former Wales international David Giles played alongside Dwyer for Cardiff - and says his former team-mate may well go down as the club's finest.

"He gave his football life to Cardiff City," Giles told BBC Radio Wales.

"You don't see many players doing that today. I think the club should never forget that and the fans should never forget that and he should be held in high esteem, because in my opinion he's probably the greatest Cardiff City player of all time."

Giles, who had two spells at Cardiff, believes Dwyer's appearance record will not be surpassed.

"It's phenomenal record," he added. "When I made my debut, he was the captain. Phil led by example. His strength was his strength, but he was a terrific player. He was a defender but he would also cause problems if you pushed him up front."

Richie Morgan also played alongside Dwyer at Cardiff and later became his manager at the club.

He said Dwyer "would be worth an awful lot of money" in modern football because of his quality and versatility.

"The fans loved him because he'd get stuck in - he'd go tearing into tackles - but he also had a good touch and he could play in a number of positions," Morgan added.

"He was someone I enjoyed playing with because you knew what you were going to get. I thoroughly enjoyed managing him because whatever happened, whatever the result or performance, you always knew you would get 150% out of him.

"The word legend is used very easily for players at football clubs, but I think if anyone ever deserved that accolade, then it should be Phil, because what he did for Cardiff City through the years was absolutely phenomenal."