THE Watkins brothers of Llanwnog were born into a cattle dealing family during the end of the 19th century.

Alfred Ernest had been born in 1878 and Walter Martin was born two years later.

The young Watkins boys and their eight siblings had spent much of their youth at Llandysul’s Upper House where their mother kept the inn.

Both brothers would go on to enjoy football league and international careers.

Alfred signed for Leicester Fosse in 1898 and represented Aston Villa and Grimsby Town before successful spell at Millwall and ending his career at Southend United. earning five international caps along with way. He died in 1957.

Brother Walter began his career at Stoke City, where he would enjoy three separate spells, in 1900, netting 48 goals in four years before joining Aston Villa.

Walter would made 10 appearances and score five times for Wales during a club career which included spells at Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Northampton Town, Crewe Alexandra and Stafford Rangers before retiring 1914 .

Walter died in 1942.

ALFRED ERNEST WATKINS

Born Llanwnog, 1878; died Essex 1957.

Inside left/outside left

Five caps: (Leicester Fosse) v Scotland, England 1898; (Aston Villa) v Scotland, England 1900; (Millwall) v Ireland 1904

Career: Ellesmere College; Caersws 1893; Oswestry United 1894-97; Leicester Fosse 1897-99 31 apps 12 goals; Aston Villa 1899-1901 one app; Grimsby Town 1901 11 apps five goals; Millwall Athletic 1901-06 103 apps 16 goals; Southend United 1906-08

WALTER MARTIN WATKINS

Born Llanwnog 1880; died Stoke 1942

Inside forward/centre forward/outside left

10 caps: (Stoke City) England 1902; v England, Scotland 1903; (Aston Villa) v England, Scotland, Ireland 1904; (Sunderland) v Scotland, England, Ireland 1905; (Stoke) v Ireland 1908, four goals.

Career: Oswestry Utd 1896-00; Stoke 1900-04 106 apps 48 goals; Aston Villa 1904 1904 five apps one goal; Sunderland 1904-05 14 apps, eight goals; Crystal Palace 1905-06; Northampton 1906-07 38 league apps 10 goals; Stoke 1907-08 17 apps three goals; Crewe 1908-09; Stoke 1911-14.