CLUB LEGENDS (This page features profiles of some of the players and characters who, through club service or pure ability, deserve a special mention on this website - Please take a look below):
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* MALCOLM 'MAC' PURCHASE:
- In the years before the Second World War, Mac played in baseball finals at both Ninian Park and the Arms Park.
- Mac spent 5 years in the Royal Marines during the war and played football for the Middle East Army team captained by the former Liverpool player and manager, Joe Fagan. A goalkeeper of repute, Mac also played Welsh League soccer for both Cardiff City and Newport AFC.
- A highly competitive player, Mac captained the Albions for a number of years and was also Welsh captain in 1965.
- After retiring from regular baseball, Mac spent many years coaching and marking the book for the Albions. Having said that, he pulled on the famous black and white shirt at the age of 71 when the team was a player short!! When interviewed by the SW Echo about this feat, Mac replied "I love to play, it's in the blood".
- Mac is a true Albion 'legend' with black and white blood running through his veins. Sadly, Mac passed away after a short illness on the 5th July 2007.
- An Albion to the end, when asked how he was by Mark Jones during a visit a few days before he passed away, Mac removed the mask from his face, beckoned Mark closer and said ...... we're not hitting enough runs!! Enough said.
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* MAURICE JONES:
- In 1958, Maurice married June at St Mary's Church, Canton and they went on to have four sons - Derek, Gary, John and Peter. All of the boys have carried on their father's passion for football, baseball and Grange Albion. Indeed, Gary has represented Wales B at baseball on two occasions.
- Maurice started his senior baseball with the Curran Works team but, after returning from service in the Air Force, he started his long and successful career with Grange Albion. He started out as the opening bowler for the 2nds but was soon called into the 1st team containing star players such as Arthur Noyes, Don O'Leary, Mac Purchase, Des Walsh and Fred Hayes.
- After becoming a regular in the Albion's first team, Maurice went on to win four full Welsh caps in 1960, 61, 62 and 68 and captained Grange Albion through another successful period in its history winning ten Dewar Shield titles and numerous cups under his captaincy.
- A renowned and fierce competitor, Maurice was also an astute tactician and a great believer in the psychological aspects of the game (just ask Charlie Kinsey !!). He attributes these skills to having been brought up by the great Albion's side of the 1950's.
- Since hanging up his boots, Maurice has remained an integral part of the Club and has been highly instrumental in the success and development of the football section over the last 25 years or so.
- Aside from playing both football and baseball to a high level, Maurice was also a top class referee in both sports and this was recognised in 2000 when he took charge of the full international between Wales and England.
- A true devotee of Grange Albion, Maurice is as passionate about the Club today as he was making his debut back in the 50's.
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* JOHN ROBERTS:
- John married Eileen at St Isan's Church, Llanishen in 1966 and they had three children (Deborah, Anthony and Claire). Indeed, son Anthony inherited his Father's love for sport and followed him in playing both football and baseball.
- A class batsman and clever fielder, John would never accept the bat from another player and always had to pick it up himself. He came into the Albion's team as the great team of the 1950's was coming to an end. He was instrumental in keeping Grange Albion at the top throughout the sixties and early 1970's.
- John won a total of seven full international caps, making his debut in 1963 and his last, as captain, in 1977. He was also chosen as the man of the match in the 1977 international and was Welsh Baseballer of the Year in 1973. Unfortunately, he missed out on what would surely have been a further four caps due to the cessation of international matches from 1970 to 1973.
- He was on the winning side in all seven of his international appearances and hit a total of 106 runs for Wales. In his seven international matches, John only actually had nine innings, three of which he finished as last man. With an average of 11.77 runs per innings, John has one of the best averages of any Welsh international to have played in seven internationals.
- A prolific run scorer for Grange Albion, John could be relied upon to score heavily in most games. A very difficult man to get out, John was well respected by opponents and a talisman for his team mates. He is widely acknowledged as one of, if not the best, batsmen to have ever played for the Club.
- John was also a good local footballer playing for St Patrick's for many years. A very loyal clubman, he was St Pat's, and later Grange Catholics, through and through in the winter and black and white through and through in the summer. He also played skittles for St Pat's for more than 40 years!
- He played at first team level for Grange Albion for around 25 years from the early 1960's until the mid 1980's. After hanging up his boots, he stayed involved with both of his teams, running the Pat's and the Catholic's football teams in the winter and the Albion's second team in the summer.
- Sadly, John passed away suddenly on October 8th 2004, aged 64. His funeral at St Patrick's Church was attended by a huge number of people who came to pay their respects to a first class sportsman, loyal clubman and popular friend. He is sorely missed but fondly remembered by all of his good friends and ex-team mates at both the Grange Albion and Grange Catholic Clubs. He adorns the wall of the Sportman's Bar in the Grange Albion Club in many team photographs and takes his place amongst the very best the Club has ever produced.
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* DON O'LEARY:
 | - Donny was born in Grangetown on the 6th October 1919. He attended Grange Council School and older brother, Tim, was also a Grange Albion and Welsh international baseballer (1938). |
- Donny was a boilermaker by trade and worked at Cardiff Dry Docks. He married Barbara during the war years and they had two children, Christine and Robert, both of whom went on to play baseball at the top level. His wife, Barbara, also played for Grange Albion ladies and former son-in-law, Ron Hillard, also played for Grange Albion and gained a full Welsh cap in 1981. Baseball obviously played a huge part in the life of the O'Leary family.
- Although renowned for his baseball, winning full Welsh caps in 1949 and 1950, Donny was also a schoolboy boxing champion and played football to a good standard for Grange Albion. Indeed, he was offered a trial with Cardiff City but turned them down to stay with his team mates at the Albion.
- Such was his love for Grange Albion, Donny painted the front of his house on Corporation Road in the club colours of black and white. Upon hearing that Don had gone on a week's holiday, his great friend and rival from the St Albans Club, Terry 'Slogger' Slocombe, overpainted the white on Donny's house with amber, thus turning the house into the St Albans colours of black and amber. On his return from holiday, Donny was horrified and immediately repainted the white swearing revenge on Slogger. He quickly saw the funny side of things though and he and Slogger remained good friends.
- Unfortunately, at the height of his playing days, Donny suffered a terrible accident when helping to put out the bases prior to a match on The Marl in 1951. White lime splashed up into his face and he lost the sight in one eye. Such was his popularity, a benefit match between Grange Albion and a League Select X1 was held later that year although, even with sight in only one eye, Donny still played football and baseball for Grange Albion for many years.
- When he finished playing himself, he would lend support to both the football and baseball teams and his voice of encouragement could be heard at most games. In his later years, he was a colourful and popular character at the Club, especially with the younger players who would sit and listen to his tales of old.
- Quite simply, Don O'Leary and Grange Albion are synonymous with each other - their names go hand in hand. For those who knew him, Donny stood for all that Grange Albion is renowned - loyalty to the Club and the black and white shirt, a will to win and a love of baseball.
- Sadly, Donny passed away, aged 75, on the 22 May 1996. A huge number attended his funeral at St Paul's Church, Grangetown, with many in the grounds as the Church was full. During the service, a stirring and humerous tribute was read by Donny's former team mate and good friend, Des Walsh. It certainly brought back many fond memories of an 'Albion' who was a character in the true sense of the word.
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* FRED HAYES:
* WENDY McCONKEY:
- A true all rounder, Wendy played netball for Cardiff at schoolgirl, youth and ladies levels in successive years and was also chosen for the South Wales team at youth level. However, whilst playing in a senior Welsh trial, she suffered an horrific injury to her knee which sadly ended her netball career.
- The knee injury didn't stop her playing baseball though and Wendy helped reform the ladies league which had ceased for a number of years. In her first season back in the reformed league, Wendy helped Grange Albion ladies win the league and cup double.
- In 1971, Wendy married fellow Albion, Brian McConkey, at St Paul's Church in Grangetown. However, they had to get married early that Saturday to enable best man, Ronnie Hillard plus other guests, Charlie Kinsey, Mac Purchase and Trevor Rees, to play for the Albion's mens side against Llandaff North later in the afternoon!! Wendy and Brian have one son, Andrew, who is a marine biologist.
- If there had been a Welsh ladies team, Wendy would have staked a claim to the backstop's position. Indeed, in July 1975, Grange Albion ladies travelled to Liverpool to make a little bit of baseball history by playing an inter-city ladies match after the men's international. The Albion ladies beat Townsend Liverpool ladies with Wendy hitting the top score of 24.
- In October 1994, at the Club's annual presentation night, Wendy's 30 years service to Grange Albion ladies was recognised when she was presented with an engraved silver plate by former star player, Mattie Lloyd, and team mate, Lynne Bines.
- Wendy, who has worked as the leader of the pre-school play group in East Moors Community Centre for over 20 years, retired from baseball and took up golf at Wenvoe Castle where she is a regular team member.
- Her fondest memories were coaching the younger girls and starting a second team. Wendy was a great backstop and a fantastic bat who was highly regarded and respected by all her peers. Undoubtedly, had there been a Welsh Ladies team, she would have added many more caps to the long list of Albion internationals.
- Quite simply, a wonderfully talented sportswoman who the Albion are delighted to call their own.
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* CHARLIE KINSEY:
 | - Jeffrey Charles Kinsey was born in Thomas Street, Grangetown on the 9th December 1947 to parents Dick and Beattie. Charlie has one older brother, Clive, who is also a former Grange Albion football and baseball player. |
- He went to Court Mead Junior School where he starred at both football and baseball. Strangely though, Charlie didn't bowl for the school team as he was first baseman. The bowler was Charlie's next door neighbour, Les Hillard.
- Charlie played for Cardiff Boys at both codes before moving to Ninian Park Secondary Modern where he continued to excel in both sports scoring many goals in football and bags of runs in baseball. In fact, in 1960, aged 13, Charlie and school mate Clive Ayres, achieved an amazing batting feat. Playing against Llanrumney in the Senior Boys League, they took Ninian Park's score from 19 for 9 to 119 all out, sharing in a stand of 100 runs of which Charlie contributed 60 runs hitting three fours and a three as last man!!
- At Ninian Park, he began to develop his bowling and captained the intermediates, dominating opponents with both bat and ball using the Hennessy 'Irish Whip' action that would later be outlawed by the WBU.
- He played his first game for Grange Albion at age 16 and, after a brief spell with the Catholic Club, he returned to the Black and Whites before tragedy struck in 1968 with a major road accident - the scooter he was riding was in collision with a sports car and he smashed his knee and broke the femur bone. He was hospitalised for 16 weeks with his right leg in traction.
- Although the accident finished his outfield football career, he recovered enough to play in goal for the Albion's. However, he was determined to return to the baseball diamond and, within a couple of seasons, he was back at the top with his new action bowling as fast as ever.
- In June 1971, Charlie married Sue Davies at St John's Church, Canton and they went on to have two children, Michael (who also played baseball for the Albion) and Emma (who swam for the City of Cardiff). Sue also played for Grange Albion ladies baseball team and can be seen in the back row of the successful 1973 ladies team on the 'Team Photographs' page. Tragically, Sue passed away in August 2006 aged 59.
- Charlie fought back from his accident to become a major star of the game, starring for both a very successful Grange Albion team and Wales. Although renowned as a fantastic bowler, Charlie was also an excellent batsmen. Indeed, in the 1973 WBU Cup Final against a good Alexandra Old Boys team, Charlie and John Roberts, as the Albion's last two men, hit 52 runs to take the Albion's score to 164!! This amazing feat won the game for the Albion's.
- He received the honour of being Welsh Baseballer of the Year in 1972 and went on to win Welsh caps in 1974, 75 and 76. He was Man of the Match in the 1975 international But for his injury, he clearly would have won more than the three caps he achieved
- Charlie Kinsey and Grange Albion Baseball Club go together like Bread and Butter. He was a talisman for the Club for many years having learnt the skills of the game from the great Albion sides of the 1960's. He played for the Club until into his forties, was highly respected by his opponents and team mates alike and was an outstanding ambassador for the Club.
- After retiring from Baseball in the 1990's, Charlie took up golf, playing at the Wenvoe Castle Club with a handicap of 12. He continues to take an interest in the fortunes of the Club and, on special occasions, he still whips up the atmosphere with his famous renditions of the song, Ernie, the fastest Milkman in the West!
- A tremendous all round sportsman and top drawer Albion legend.
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* DESSIE WALSH:
 | - Desmond, Joseph, Patrick Walsh was born in the Dublin Arms pub, Bridge Street, Swansea on the 17th May 1925. - When Dessie was just two, his father died and so his mother brought him back to Cardiff to stay with her parents (Patrick and Margaret Bulger) in Warwick Street, Grangetown. Initially, Dessie went to St Patrick's RC School but later transferred to St Peter's RC School. Whilst at St Peter's, Des was one of of two pupils selected to play for Wales. |
- During the War years, Des was firstly in the Home Guard but volunteered for active service in 1943. He went into the Transport Corps and drove his truck onto the Normandy beaches and through Northern France into Germany. His demob took place in Clacton in 1946.
- Des met his wife of 46 years, Flo, at the Marina Ballroom in Penarth in August 1954. They married in St Francis RC church, Ely, on June 18th 1960. The Albions were there in force and made a ceremonial arch of bats. They had five children - Bernadette, Damian, Angela, Claire and Martin, all of whom played beseball for St Peter's apart from Martin, who played for Penylan and had one season with Grange Albion.
- Des was a tremendous ambassador for Grange Albion and is spoken of in high esteem at the Club where his photographs adorn the walls in the Sportsmans Bar. He was also a fantastic baseballer and, to this day, he is spoken of as one of the Albions finest ever players. A bowler of much repute, in 1956, he won the inaugural Welsh Baseballer of the Year accolade which, considering the strength of the game at that time, was a major honour. In 1957, Dessie bowled out a good Fairoak side for just 6 runs! Although an Albion through and through, Des also played for the Old Illtydians Club in his later years.
- As well as baseball, Dessie loved other sports. He played football for Grange Albion and for non-league Hereford, rugby for St Peter's, ice hockey for a team in Canada for 2 years (early 50's) and, in later years, he was part of both the snooker and skittles teams at the Roath Liberal Club.
- Dessie also loved music and song, he was a huge fan of Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Matt Monroe. He was a great singer in his own right and regaled many gatherings with renditions of old favourites. He was also a poet of some renown and toasted many happy couples with there own special verses. He also presented countless eulogies for well loved friends at funerals throughout Cardiff including a very moving and humouress speech at the funeral of fellow legend, Don O'Leary.
- Proud of his roots, Dessie was the Drum Major for St Patrick's Irish Pipe Band for several years and was a member of the Cardiff / Dublin Association. His 'claim to fame' was that he played, and lost, a snooker match with former world champion, Ray Reardon.
- Sadly, Dessie passed away on the 17th of November 2006. His moving funeral at St Peter's Church attracted a large congregation including many of his former Grange Albion team mates and friends.
- A tremendous inspiration to both his family and sporting comrades, Dessie Walsh is an Albion legend in the truest sense of the word.
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* MATTY AND DOUG LLOYD:
(Photo's to follow soon)
- This married couple dedicated many years of their lives to the Grange Albion Club and baseball in particular, a sport in which they both excelled.
- Doug was born on the 23rd November 1919 at Ludlow Street, Grangetown, the youngest of five sons of Richard and Ethel Lloyd. He attended Grange Council school where he was a senior prefect and renowned for his skills at both baseball and football.
- Matty was born on 10 June 1921 at St Fagans Street, Grangetown, one of five daughters of William and Emily Nurton. She attended Grange National and Howard Gardens High School.
- Upon leaving school, Doug played for Stockland Rovers at football and, in the late 1930's, for Grange Albion's baseball team. He was unfortunate not to win a full Wales baseball cap in 1938 following a good trial match and, as a result of Military Service during the war years, he had to wait until 1948 to win his first Welsh cap. After this, Doug went on to represent Wales a further 7 times and had the honour of captaining Wales in 1951. He also had the unique honour of captaining the Wales team again in 1951 for the, one off, international arranged for the Festival of Britain celebrations. He was also awarded a Grange Albion cap to commemorate his achievements in baseball.
- During six and a half years in the Army, Doug represented his battalion at football but, more importantly, during this period he married Matty on the 31st January 1942 at St Paul's Church, Grangetown. After the war, Doug became a fine amatuer footballer playing at centre half and captaining a strong Grange Albion side. Indeed, he captained the Albion when they became the first Cardiff and District team to win the prestigious SWFA Amatuer Cup.
- However, it was at baseball that he excelled and he was a member of the all conquering Grange Albion team of the late 1940's and early 1950's. He was a great all round player, bowling left hand medium pace relying on accuracy rather than speed. He then batted right handed and wasan accomplished run maker.
- Matty had an early interest in baseball as a schoolgirl supporting her elder sister, Vera, who was a prominent player in the Cardiff Ladies League of the 1920's. This interest increased when she married Doug and in 1949 they formed the Grange Albion Ladies team. With Matty as captain and bowler, the team became a top side during the 1950's winning the top league shield and Seager Cup on several occasions.
- In later years, Matty took up the management of a new and younger Grange Albion Ladies team who again won league titles and cups during the 1970's (see team photograph's page).
- Interestingly, two of Matty's sisters had Grange Albion connections with Joan and Barbara married to Albion stalwarts Harry Dimond and Don O'Leary respectively.
- As a couple, Matty and Doug made an immense contribution to Grange Albion sport to baseball in particular and to the game as a whole.
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* NEXT LEGEND COMING SOON:
 | - Wendy Patricia Trott was born on the 17th March 1948 (St Patrick's Day) in Compton Street, Grangetown, Cardiff. - She played baseball for Court Mead School at the age of 8 and was in the same class as that other Albion legend, Charlie Kinsey, who would bowl to Wendy when they practiced. Clearly, this practice helped them both become such great baseballers but Wendy also attributes her baseball skills as a backstop to teacher, Peggy Lewis, who spent many hours helping her hone these skills. |
 | - Freddie Hayes was born on the 17th October 1917 in Cardiff. He married Olive and they had three children, Michael, Ian and Pam. - He played base three and backstop for the very successful Grange Albion teams of the 1940's and 50's. Nicknamed 'Pongo', he was a prolific run scorer for both the Albion's and Wales and the holder of numerous baseball records. |
- Freddie won 9 caps for Wales (won 7, lost 2) and captained the side in 1950. In the 1955 international match, Freddie scored 49 runs in a single innings for Wales against England. This record has stood for over 50 years and it will take a superhuman effort if it is ever to be broken. Also, and almost as impressive as his international record, he hit 53 runs for Grange Albion against Temple Street YMCA of Newport in the 1946 WBU Cup Final.
- Freddie also held the record for the most international runs for Wales (161 in 13 innings only) from 1957 to 1988 when it was broken by the great Llanrumney all rounder, John Smith. Freddie was also highest scorer in the international games for three successive seasons, from 1955 to 57. As of the end of last season (2006), this record still stands.
- Of the four Grange Albion players to have scored over 100 runs for Wales (Dai Griffiths, Fred Hayes, John Roberts and Mark Jones), Freddie's 161 runs from 13 innings is by some way the highest.
- Freddie also played football for the Ever Open Eye Club along with Dilwyn John who went on to be Cardiff City's goalkeeper for many seasons.
- Sadly, Freddie passed away at Llandough Hospital on the 12th May 2002, aged 84. Due to his legendary status amongst Grange Albion and the wider baseball fraternity in South Wales, the Echo included a large feature on Freddie just after his death. One of the most telling comments in the article is "he will go down in the capital's folklore as the man whom many consider to be the greatest ever player of the Welsh game".
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 | - John was born in Corporation Road, Grangetown on the 27 April 1940. He attended St Patrick's School in Grangetown where he excelled at sport playing for Cardiff Schools at Cardiff Arms Park and captaining Cardiff Schools in both football and baseball. |
 | - Maurice receives a trophy from Olympic Gold Medalist, Lyn Davies, in the 1960's. |
 | - Maurice was born on the 13 July 1933 at the family home in St Peters Street, Roath into a large family totalling nine brothers and five sisters. After moving to Ely for a short time, the family moved to Ryder Street in Canton where Maurice attended St Mary's School. It was at this school that he began to develop an aptitude for both football and baseball. |
 | - Born on the 11th August 1923 in Grangetown, Mac went to Grange Council School where he began playing baseball at the age of 12. - In 1948, Mac married Muriel at Cardiff Registry Office but still managed to play football away to Pontyclun later that day!! |
- Aside from his beloved 'Albions', Mac also played baseball for Stockland Rovers and Cogan from where he won a full Welsh cap in 1950(Mac is the one and only international cap from the Cogan club). Mac won two further caps as an Albion player in 1953 and 1965 and was non-playing sub on a further three occasions (1949, 51 and 63).