Fred Keenor: The Man Who Never Gave Up

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Keenor was released by Cardiff at the end of the 1930–31 season, which saw the club relegated to the Third Division South. During his time at Cardiff, he made more than 500 appearances for the club, winning four Welsh Cup titles, the FA Cup and the FA Charity Shield in a 19-year association with the side. He is regarded as one of the club's all-time greats. A statue of Keenor, lifting the FA Cup, was erected outside Cardiff's new ground, the Cardiff City Stadium, in November 2012 following a public fundraising campaign. With ‘I’ll Be There’ recorded and a record company on board, the decision was then made that all monies raised would go towards the Fred Keenor Fund, the charitable campaign set up the same year by the Cardiff City Supporters Trust to raise funds to create a statue of the legendary Cardiff City captain, who fought in the First World War. The statue of City’s cup winning captain, Fred Keenor. Photo by Jon Candy

Spells with Crewe Alexandra, Oswestry Town and Tunbridge Wells Rangers followed, but it wasn’t long before Fred returned to the city which was his home. Having built and designed a house in Whitchurch, Fred lived with his wife, Muriel, and became a keen gardener. James Ashcroft, 27, of Pontprennau, agreed saying it was “about time” something was done to honour Keenor. Alpuin, Luis Fernando Passo. "Wales – record international players". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 17 March 2009 . Retrieved 12 October 2009.

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The original line-up of The Stand included Stereophonics’ drummer Stuart Cable, who was instrumental in the group’s plans, until his untimely death in June 2010. Stuart Cable (Creative Commons) He said: “This is something I would welcome if it is something the Supporters’ Club would like to happen. Overcoming doubts about the possibility of playing again, Keenor returned to the game with Cardiff as they embarked on the most successful period in their history. They won promotion to the First Division one season after joining the Football League in 1920. Keenor helped the club to the 1925 FA Cup Final, in which Cardiff suffered a 1–0 defeat to Sheffield United. In 1926, he replaced the departing Jimmy Blair as club captain, leading the team to success in the 1927 FA Cup Final later in the season, in which they defeated Arsenal 1–0. Their triumph remains the only time the competition has been won by a team based outside England. Devine, Darren (16 November 2009). "Welsh football legend Keenor finally gets new headstone". WalesOnline. Media Wales. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016 . Retrieved 8 August 2016.

The following season, Cardiff reached the 1925 FA Cup Final where they lost 1-0 to Sheffield United, who claimed their fifth FA Cup win following a goal from Fred Tunstall. After the Final, Keenor stated: “Just because we lost in our very first Cup Final, I don’t think there is any cause to get down in the mouth. I can say here and now that one day soon our followers can be sure that Cardiff City will bring that Cup to Wales”. A son Albert, was born to Fred and wife Muriel on May 3, 1926, in Whitchurch, Cardiff, but his death certificate shows he died one hour later. The cause of death was given as “prematurity”. Fred Keenor". mirrorfootball.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010 . Retrieved 12 October 2009.

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A BOOK that lifts the lid on the hidden life of Cardiff City’s FA Cup-winning captain Fred Keenor is being written by his nephew. The 1927 showpiece was the first cup final to be broadcast live on BBC Radio and was the final where the FA Cup anthem Abide With Me was sung. Colwyn Bay's John Neal, Fred Dewey of Cardiff Corinthians, Llanelli's Elvet Collins and Emrys Ellis of amateur London club Nunhead were among the unfamiliar names in a side which was expected to suffer a heavy defeat. Keenor's former teacher Riden invited him to attend a trial at Cardiff City in 1912 after spotting him playing local amateur football for Cardiff-based side Roath Wednesday. Keenor later said that he "did not think twice about it". He was impressive enough during a trial match to be offered an amateur contract with the club at the age of 17. [10] He joined Cardiff City as the club was looking to establish itself as a professional football team having joined the newly formed Second Division of the Southern Football League two years earlier. [11] The club's amateur side competed in the Western Football League and Keenor appeared several times in games. A loss to Camerton during a Western League fixture left a lasting impression on him after an over-confident Cardiff side suffered an upset, losing 3–1 in a match they were widely expected to win. [12] Keenor often spoke of using the defeat as motivation in later stages of his career, remarking, "In subsequent seasons I always thought of that game when we were supposed to be on a 'good thing'. It has a moral which I pass on to every young footballer". [13] Reports are that he retired because he developed diabetes. But in actual fact his diabetes started when he was playing for Cardiff,” said Graham, 67, of Mynachdy, Cardiff.