The South Wales Argus of 14th March 1953 reported:-
"Death of Herbert Wreford"
"Mr Herbert Wreford, one of the most popular players who ever appeared for Newport - he was full-back from 1909 to 1921 - has died in Leicester."
"Specially invited to join the Newport-Blackheath "centenary" celebrations recently, he was taken ill on the train down, missed both match and supper, and had to return to Leicester, where he died on Tuesday."
"The most striking quality Herbert Wreford displayed as a full-back for Newport was his deadly tackling, and he played a most distinguished part in Newport's defeat of the Springboks in1912. There were two or three occasions when it seemed well-nigh impossible that he could get to the speedy Van der Hoff, but he did; and when Stegmann attempted to go over him he found he was met by a stone-wall of resistance."
"Irrepressible"
"Herbert was well-known on tour for his irrepressible spirits. He was "the champion long distance singer". It used to be said he had been known to start singing on a long journey when the saloon left Newport Station and to troll out the last stave, with little more than the ordinary interval for "lemons", upon arrival at the team's destination. "
"He retained his high spirits right to the end, and for years he had been the popular joint manager (with Lieutenant-colonel H. Giles) of Captain Geoffrey Crawshay's famous team in their annual tours of Devon and Cornwall. "
"Herbert started playing football before there was any real organisation of the game in the Newport schools. He was 9 years old, and he played full-back for St Woolos School against the British School on the Horse Soldiers' Field, Bassaleg Road. After that he was one of the originators of the Clyfford Villa Association Club."
"Soccer First"
"Later he played for Caerleon in Newport and District League, when the team won both the League Championship and the Woodcock Cup, and were runners-up in the Monmouthshire League."
"Then came the most important step of all - "the glory of my life" Herbert called it. His brothers Harry and Fred had played rugby for Newport Seconds - the former on the wing, the latter as a forward - and though Herbert was considered somewhat vigorous as an association back, they taunted him that "he would not have stomach enough" for rugby. So he sent in his application for a place in the Newport Seconds. That was at the beginning of 1909-10, and after the trials he was chosen to play full-back. He played in every match that season except three, when he was called upon for Newport Firsts."
"His introduction to first-class football was one he did not forget - it was that notorious game at Llanelly on November 27th, 1909, as the result of which "Dromio" and the South Wales Argus were sued for libel. During 1911-12, upon the retirement of Stanley Williams, he was given the place of full-back permanently in the Newport team. He played his last game in season 1920-21."
"Apart from football HW was well known as a baseball player. He was one of the regular members of the Newport team who won the championship of the First Division of the Welsh Baseball League and the Grange Cup."
"Devonshire Descent"
"Herbert Wreford was the youngest but one of the seven sons of the late John Wreford, who for 21 years was a bellringer at St. Woolos Church, Newport. John Wreford was of Devonshire descent and Devonshire born, while his wife was born at Tiverton. A member of another branch of the family, Mr George Wreford, a London solicitor - traced the history of the family, and found that there had been Wrefords on Devonshire soil for 490 years."
"John Wreford came to Newport about eighty years ago, and worked as a carpenter. Herbert was born on May 15, 1883, in Dock St, and was educated at the old St. Woolos School in St Mary Street. He left school early to start work, and eventually was apprenticed as a bricklayer to Mr. Alfred Hazell, an old friend of his father. When he was out of his time he started working for Mr. William Jewell, and at the age of 24 went to Canada with his brother Fred. They worked at their trade in Montreal and then returned home and started in business as builders, but dissolved partnership after about 12 months. Later Herbert became licensee successively of the Borough Arms, the George (Maindee), and the old Royal Albert in Commercial St. Some years ago, he took over an hotel in Leicester. He leaves a widow (formerly a Miss Coles, of Newport), a son, and twin daughters."
(With thanks to Herbert's grand daughter Jane Wreford.)