Place of birth Pontyclun, Wales 1983–1985 Merthyr Tydfil Playing position Name Keith Pontin | Years Team Role Footballer 1976–1983 Cardiff City Position Defender | |
Date of birth (1956-06-14) 14 June 1956 (age 59) | ||
Keith Pontin (born 14 June 1956 in Pontyclun) is a Welsh former professional footballer and Wales international.
Career
Pontin began his career at Cardiff City, working his way through the youth system before making his debut in a 2-0 victory over Charlton Athletic on the opening day of the 1976–77 season. He returned to the reserves shortly afterwards due to the arrival of Paul Went from Portsmouth but was eventually recalled in September 1977 when Went was moved into a more attacking role. His impressive form over the next few seasons meant he missed very few matches for the Bluebirds and was called up for the Wales squad, making his international debut in a 4-1 win over England on 17 May 1980. His second, and final, cap came four days later on 21 May in a 1–0 defeat to Scotland.
During the 1981–82 season he played in more matches than any other player in the squad but couldn't stop the club from being relegated. It was at the start of the following year that things turned sour for him at Ninian Park when he fell out with manager Len Ashurst after an argument and was allowed to leave the club to join Merthyr Tydfil. He later went on to finish his career at Barry Town, playing almost 300 times for the club.