Coventry City pay tribute to double title winner who made 262 appearances for the Sky Blues.

The former Coventry City, Swansea, Nottingham Forest and West Brom winger, who made 262 appearances for the Sky Blues, has died at the age of 79

Ronnie Rees, a former Sky Blues winger who passed away at the age of 79, was honoured by Coventry City.

Rees played 262 games and netted 52 goals for Coventry. In the 1960s, he was a star of the club’s Third Division and Second Division title victories.

Along with stints at West Bromwich Albion, Nottingham Forest, and Swansea City—where he amassed a century of appearances—he also got 39 caps for Wales. Prior to retiring in 1976, Rees played for Haverfordwest and Merthyr Town.

Rees was discovered by Coventry while playing for Merthyr Boys, and in September 1960, Billy Frith, the manager, brought the young player to Highfield Road. In April 1962, Rees received his first professional contract from Jimmy Hill, Frith’s replacement.

As the Sky Blues advanced from the third division to the top level during the following six years, he quickly established himself in the first squad. Rees led Coventry to the Division Three title in 1963–64, scoring 15 goals and starting every game, including a hat-trick in an 8–1 rout of Shrewsbury Town.

In 1966–67, he played a significant role in Coventry’s Division Two championship win. A vital player as well as a goal scorer, he was present during the historic 3-1 victory over Wolves in April 1967 in front of a record 51,455 spectators at Highfield Road. The outcome, dubbed the “Midlands Match of the Century,” virtually guaranteed the club’s first-ever promotion to the top division history.

Rees also held administrative positions at Cardiff City and Swansea and Bridgend for Ford, the automaker. His speech and mobility were compromised by a massive stroke at the age of 51, and he lived out his final years in a care facility in Swansea.

He will be remembered for “his close control and pacy, jinking runs down the flanks,” according to Coventry, who called him “one of the most exciting talents of the 1960s and the Sky Blue Revolution.”

“Coventry City is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the former player Ronnie Rees,” the Sky Blues stated. We send our sympathies to Ronnie’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

 

Swansea City expressed similar condolences, saying: “We are all extremely grieved to learn of the demise of former footballer Ronnie Rees, who was 79 years old. Everyone at the club is thinking about Ronnie’s friends and family during this difficult time.