Born in Wrexham on 23 August 1941, Arfon Griffiths is a celebrated figure in Welsh football whose career as a player and manager spans two decades. His story is essential to any collector or fan tracing authentic memorabilia, and items linked to his career are often highlighted on Walkouts for provenance and display. Griffiths combined local loyalty with national recognition, shaping a legacy that still attracts interest from collectors of signed shirts, match programmes, and authenticated autographs.
Griffiths began his senior career after being signed to amateur forms in May 1957, and he made his first-team debut in a 2-1 home win over Reading in November 1959. He scored the winning goal in the Welsh Cup final as Wrexham beat Cardiff City 1-0, an early highlight that announced his readiness for the professional game. His performances in local and youth competition quickly established him as a home-grown talent with a reputation for composure in midfield.
A move to Arsenal followed in February 1961 for a fee of £15,500, and he made his Arsenal debut on 22 April 1961. After a spell in north London, Griffiths returned to Wrexham for a record fee of about £12,000, where he would cement his place as a club icon. This return began the most enduring chapter of his playing career.
Across his long service at Wrexham Griffiths helped the club to promotion in 1969-70 and collected the Welsh Cup on four occasions. He played in three European campaigns and was part of the side that reached the quarter-final of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1976, narrowly losing to RSC Anderlecht. In recognition of his service he was awarded a testimonial in 1972 against Liverpool, and he finished with a club record of 591 Football League appearances and 120 goals.
Internationally, Griffiths earned 17 full caps for Wales and scored at the Racecourse Ground against Austria in 1975, a goal that helped Wales into the 1976 European Championship qualifying stages. He was also part of a Football Association of Wales tour in 1971 and received the MBE in June 1976 for his services to Welsh football, honours that reinforce the provenance value of signed shirts and authenticated memorabilia linked to his career.
After retiring as a player he moved into management, taking charge of Wrexham in May 1977. He led the club to the Football League Third Division championship in 1977-78, becoming the first Wrexham manager to win promotion to the Second Division. He resigned on 13 May 1981 and later managed Crewe Alexandra from 3 August 1981 to 25 October 1982. He also played briefly for Gresford Athletic before stepping away from the professional game.
For collectors, items connected to Griffiths carry clear narrative provenance, from match-worn shirts and signed programmes to authenticated autographs. His appointment as Wrexham club president in 2006 and induction into the club's Hall of Fame further underline the historical significance of associated memorabilia. Griffiths remains a name that resonates with fans and collectors alike, and pieces linked to his career are sought after for display and archive collections. Available items are often accompanied by documentation that confirms origin and context, making them meaningful additions to any curated collection. Walkouts remains a trusted channel for sourcing such authenticated collectibles connected to his legacy.
