{{short description|Welsh footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Horace Blew | image = | fullname = Horace Elford Blew | birth_date = {{Birth-date|1878}} | birth_place = Esclusham, Wales | death_date = {{Death year and age|1957|1878}} | death_place = Esclusham, Wales | height = | position = Full-back | youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = Grove Park School | youthyears2 = |youthclubs2 = Wrexham Old Boys | youthyears3 = |youthclubs3 = Rhostyllen | years1 = 1898–1911 |clubs1 = Wrexham |caps1 = |goals1 = | years2 = ?–1906 |clubs2 = Bury |caps2 = ? |goals2 = | years3 = 1906 |clubs3 = Manchester United |caps3 = 1 |goals3 = 0 | years4 = 1906 |clubs4 = Manchester City |caps4 = 1 |goals4 = 0 | years5 = 1906– |clubs5 = Wrexham Victoria |caps5 = |goals5 = | years6 = 1909–1910 |clubs6 = Brymbo Victoria |caps6 = |goals6 = | nationalyears1 = |nationalteam1 = Wales |nationalcaps1 = 22 |nationalgoals1 = }} '''Horace Elford Blew''' (1878 – 1957) was a Welsh international footballer who played at full-back.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4188402/4188404/30/|title=Welsh Newspapers Online ISome Welsh 11 Stars-|website=newspapers.library.wales|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref> He represented Wales on 22 occasions despite playing in The Football League only twice in his career.<ref name=joyce>{{Cite book |title=Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939 |first=Michael |last=Joyce |publisher=Soccerdata |year=2004 |isbn=1899468676}}</ref> He also represented the Welsh amateur side.

Blew played for Wrexham, and then Bury,<ref name=muinfo>{{cite web|url=http://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/a-z_player_archive/a-z_player_archive_pages/blew_horace.html|title=Horace Elford Blew|last=Mark Graham|publisher=MUFCInfo.com|accessdate=10 July 2012}}</ref> although he did not play a League game for The Shakers.<ref name=joyce/> In March 1906, he transferred to Manchester United, but only played one game for them before moving to Manchester City in September 1906.<ref name=muinfo/> He also appeared for Wrexham Victoria<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4166645/4166649/131/|title=Welsh Newspapers Online FOOTBALL. I{{!}}1906-08-30{{!}}Evening Express - Welsh Newspapers Online|website=newspapers.library.wales|language=en|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref> and Brymbo Victoria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3642940/3642948/44/|title=Welsh Newspapers Online « Football.{{!}}1910-01-15{{!}}Rhyl Record and Advertiser - Welsh Newspapers Online|website=newspapers.library.wales|language=en|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref>

He made his Wales debut in March 1899, and was an automatic selection for the team between 1902 and 1909, missing only five games in that time. Due to his services to football, he was awarded a testimonial in 1908.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4187699/4187703/143/|title=Welsh Newspapers Online Football.I 1-1I{{!}}1908-03-25{{!}}Evening Express - Welsh Newspapers Online|website=newspapers.library.wales|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref>

In 1905 he is recorded as being the tenant of the Raglan Arms, Lambpit Street, Wrexham, the Bowling Green, Penybryn in 1916,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3612223/3612228/43/|title=Welsh Newspapers Online ST. ASAPH.{{!}}1916-12-23{{!}}Denbighshire Free Press - Welsh Newspapers Online|website=newspapers.library.wales|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref> whilst also being recorded as the owner of the Griffin Inn, Ponciau in 1918.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4244925/4244931/35/|title=Welsh Newspapers Online I I Denbighshire Compensation1 {{!}} Authority.I{{!}}1918-09-13{{!}}Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal - Welsh Newspapers Online|website=newspapers.library.wales|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref>

After retiring from football, he was elected to Wrexham Council in May 1919,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4245948/4245950/8/|title=Welsh Newspapers Online I.........-I IWELSH INTERNATIONAL i -WINS -ELECTION.{{!}}1919-05-23{{!}}The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality - Welsh Newspapers Online|website=newspapers.library.wales|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref> as a Conservative candidate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4245231/4245237/44/|title=Welsh Newspapers Online WREXHAM. I . -. IV\. I{{!}}1919-05-09{{!}}Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal - Welsh Newspapers Online|website=newspapers.library.wales|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref> He was also listed as an auctioneer and valuer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4245258/4245260/9/|title=Welsh Newspapers Online SPORTING.{{!}}1919-05-30{{!}}Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal - Welsh Newspapers Online|website=newspapers.library.wales|access-date=2017-10-18}}</ref> Blew was Mayor of Wrexham in 1923.<ref>{{cite book |title=Wrexham: A Complete record 1872-1992 |publisher=Breedon |page=92 }}</ref> His son, Frank,<ref>1911 UK Census</ref> was also a footballer who played for Wrexham and Llandudno.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

Horace, whose only appearance with Manchester United in the 1905–06 season was in an away match on Good Friday against Chelsea, won a medal for this one game. The point won in that drawn game helped United to win promotion.<ref>''The Gillete book of Cricket and Football''. Gordon Ross, 1963.</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/playermenu/blew.html Profile] at StretfordEnd.co.uk

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blew, Horace}} Category:1878 births Category:1957 deaths Category:Footballers from Wrexham Category:Welsh men's footballers Category:Wales men's international footballers Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players Category:Bury F.C. players Category:Manchester United F.C. players Category:Manchester City F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:Wales men's amateur international footballers Category:Mayors of places in Wales Category:Men's association football full-backs Category:Wrexham Victoria F.C. players Category:Brymbo Victoria F.C. players