Meet the Wrexham Legend Who Played Alongside the Legendary Pele and Went On To Manage a Host of American Teams

Wrexham AFC is a club steeped in rich history and tradition, with a legacy that spans over 150 years.  Ever since the Hollywood takeover of the club by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in November 2020, the Welsh club has been on a constant rise both on and off the pitch.

While the club has recently garnered international attention following its spectacular rise it’s important to remember that the club has always been a bastion of Welsh soccer. Founded in 1864 Wrexham is the third oldest soccer club in the world. Over the years, Wrexham has been home to several legends who have made significant contributions to the team. One of whom is the great Brian Tinnion, who also shared the pitch with Pele.

Who is the Wrexham legend who played with Pele?

Born in Workington, England on June 11, 1948, Brian Tinnion began his professional career playing for Workington AFC in 1965. He quickly established himself as a key player for the team, catching the eye of Wrexham AFC who signed him in 1968 for a then-figure of around $14,000, equivalent to around $116k in today’s value.

At that time the Red Dragons played in the fourth division. Throughout his time at Wrexham, Tinnion played in over 279 matches and scored around 54 goals, cementing his place in the hearts of the club’s fans. While he was known for his energetic plays and tireless work ethic on the field, what truly set Tinnion apart was his ability to create opportunities for his teammates. He was known for his pinpoint crosses and deft touches that often led to crucial goals for the team.

However, despite him not wanting to leave the club, Wrexham sold him off to NASL side New York Cosmos in 1976. This marked a career-high for Tinnion as the team that at the time also featured Brazilian soccer legend Pele. With Pele playing center-forward, Tinnion was tasked with the role of support on the right wing. In 20 appearances for the Cosmos, Tinnion scored eight goals.

Despite this, Tinnion’s tenure with the team was short-lived for only one year. He then went on to play for other NASL teams such as Team Hawaii, Colorado Caribous, and Detroit Express. Shortly after he retired from soccer and shifted to managing teams.

Brian Tinnion’s managerial career

Brian Tinnion had quite an intriguing final year of his soccer career. He played for Detroit Express, a team that had dropped from NASL to ASL. Nonetheless, Express managed to claim the league title in 1982 and Tinnion was bestowed the tournament MVP title. Adding to his impressive accomplishments, he also managed the team while he was a player.

Dive Deeper: “They Create So Many Chances” – Wrexham’s Ollie Palmer Firmly Believes Lower League Strikers Can Score 20 Goals in the Premier League for Treble Winners Manchester City

However, due to league prohibitions against player coaches, Tinnion wasn’t listed as head coach during that time period. In 1983, the league changed their rules allowing him to be named as official head coach for both 1983 and 1984 seasons. In 1990, he was appointed as head coach of the Detroit Rockers in NASL and named Coach of the Year for the following season. During the following season under his leadership, they secured the league title as well.

In 1994 he took a break from managing teams. He did return in 2001 to manage the Rockers again. But at season end Rockers ended, marking the end of his impressive managing career. It’s been several decades since Tinnion hung up his boots, but his contributions to Wrexham and the world of soccer at large continue to be felt to this day.

WATCH THIS STORY: Top Footballers That Ryan Reynolds Poached After Acquiring Wrexham

What are your thoughts on him? Let us know in the comments.