A FORMER footballer who graced the local scene for the best part of 30 years has said a big thank you to family and countless friends who rallied round after he was hospitalised following a brain haemorrhage.

Midfielder Mike Davies (55), started and ended a glittering career with Cardigan-based Maesglas and also turned out for St Dogmaels and Newcastle Emlyn before hanging up his boots in 1996.

In March this year he organised a charity game at King George V Playing Field in Cardigan between Wales Veterans and local players of yesteryear which raised £16,000 for the Cardigan Cancer Care charity.

The former Cardigan postman, who has latterly worked as a carer at Brondesbury Lodge Nursing Home in the town, spent three weeks at the University Hospital of Wales, Heath, Cardiff, where he received get well messages from far and wide, including one from Wales manager and Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.

As he recovered at home in Gwbert this week, the hugely popular ex-player told the Tivyside: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to family and everyone who offered support. Diolch yn fawr."