| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Henry Griffiths | ||
| Date of birth | 4 January 1931 | ||
| Place of birth | Swansea, Wales | ||
| Date of death | 25 April 1978 (aged 47) | ||
| Place of death | Swansea, Wales | ||
| Position(s) | Full-back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1949–1964 | Swansea Town | 422 | (72) |
| International career | |||
| 1953 | Wales | 1 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1975–1978 | Swansea City | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
James Henry Griffiths (4 January 1931 – 25 April 1978) was a Welsh professional footballer and football manager. In his time at Swansea he filled multiple roles, as player, physio, coach, trainer, assistant manager and manager. As a player, he made 421 appearances for Swansea Town scored 72 goals, and was also capped by Wales.[1]
He left to join Merthyr Tydfil in 1964, but returned to Swansea as a coach in 1967,[2] and between 1975 and 1978 was Swansea's manager.[1]
Despite promising performances at the start of the 1977–78 season, Griffiths resigned as manager, doubting his ability to take the club any further. He worked as John Toshack's assistant until his death on 25 April 1978, when he suffered a heart attack prior to the win against Scunthorpe United which the team won 3–1. The following Saturday they beat Halifax Town 2-0 and clinched promotion to the Third Division.[1]