John Rea (footballer) facts for kids
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Charles Rea | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 21 December 1868 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Lledrod, Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 4 February 1944 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | Aberystwyth, Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Winger | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1888–1889 | Ardwyn | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1889–1890 | Upton Excelsiors | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1890–1891 | London Caledonians | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1891–1892 | London Welsh | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1892–1893 | Aberystwyth Town | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1894–1895 | West Bromwich Albion | 1 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1895–1896 | Aberystwyth Town | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1896–1897 | West Bromwich Albion | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1898 | Aberystwyth Town | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1894–1898 | Wales | 9 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
John Charles Rea (born 21 December 1868 – died 4 February 1944) was a Welsh footballer and a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army. He played as a winger for various clubs, including West Bromwich Albion. John also proudly represented the Wales national team, earning nine caps.
Contents
Football Career
John Rea played for several football clubs during his career. He started with local teams like Ardwyn and Upton Excelsiors. Later, he joined bigger clubs such as London Caledonians and London Welsh.
Playing for West Bromwich Albion
John Rea played one game for West Bromwich Albion. This match took place on 15 December 1894. His team won 3–2 against Stoke.
Playing for Wales
John Rea made his first international appearance for Wales on 24 February 1894. This game was part of the 1893–94 British Home Championship against Ireland. Wales won that match 4–1 at home.
Overall, John played nine times for Wales. He scored one goal for his country. His last game for Wales was on 19 February 1898. It was another match against Ireland, which Wales lost 0–1 at home.
Military Service
John Rea also had a distinguished military career. In 1902, he was a Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery. This was a volunteer unit.
World War I Service
In 1908, volunteer units were reorganized. They became part of the new Territorial Force. John joined the 2nd Welsh Brigade. By 1912, he was the commanding officer of the Cardiganshire Battery.
When World War I began in August 1914, John became a battery commander. His unit was part of the Welsh Division. This division was later renamed the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division.
In November 1915, John's artillery unit was sent to France. They joined the British Expeditionary Force. In January 1916, his unit moved to Egypt. They later served in Palestine. John survived the war and returned home.
Military Awards
After the war, John Rea received several important medals. These awards recognized his brave service.
Personal Life
John Rea was born on 21 December 1868 in Lledrod, Wales. His father, John Rea, was from Worcester. His mother, Mary Anne Williams, was from Newtown.
In 1906, John took over his family's hotel business. He changed it into a restaurant and a grocery store. In 1908, he married Florence Isabel Elkes in Birkenhead. By 1911, they had three children.
John lived in Aberystwyth with his wife. Sadly, Florence passed away in 1936. John Rea himself died in Aberystwyth in 1944, at the age of 75.
Career Statistics
International Matches
John Rea's international football career for Wales:
| Wales | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Games Played | Goals Scored |
| 1894 | 3 | 1 |
| 1895 | 1 | 0 |
| 1896 | 2 | 0 |
| 1897 | 2 | 0 |
| 1898 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 9 | 1 |
