 Although association football was not as popular as rugby in the Rhondda in the early 20th century , after the 1920s several notable players had emerged from the area . Two of the most important players both came from the village of Ton Pentre ; Jimmy Murphy was capped 15 times for Wales , and in 1958 managed both the Welsh national team and Manchester United . Roy Paul , also from Ton Pentre , led Manchester City to two successive FA Cup finals in 1955 and 1956 and gained 33 Welsh caps . Alan Curtis , who was best known for representing Swansea City and Cardiff City , came from the neighbouring village of Pentre , and in an 11 @-@ year international career won 35 caps for Wales scoring 6 goals . 
