Background
Adams was born in Crick, Northamptonshire in England of Welsh parents, but returned to Llangollen in Wales where he worked as a plumber.
Adams was born in Crick, Northamptonshire in England of Welsh parents, but returned to Llangollen in Wales where he worked as a plumber.
He started his football career with local side, Berwyn Rangers, in 1879 and was first selected to represent Wales in a friendly match against Ireland at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham on 25 February 1882. Adams retained his place for the next match, against England, when the Welsh were again victorious by a margin of five goals to three. His success with the Welsh team drew him to the attention of (based in Ruabon), then one of the top teams in Wales, whom he joined in 1882. were also dominating the Welsh Cup and, after victories over Chirk (3–2), Dolgellau Mountaineers (12–1), Aberystwyth Town (4–1), they met Adams" former club, Berwyn Rangers, in the Fourth Round, winning 5–2.
After a semi-final victory over Northwich Victoria (3–0), met Wrexham in the final.
During his one season with, Adams made two further international appearances, against England on 3 February 1883 (lost 5–0) and Ireland on 17 March (drawn 1–1). Playing for the local village side, he dropped out of favour and was never selected for Wales again.
He continued to play for Ellesmere until his early 40s. Adams remained in Ellesmere for the rest of his life and established his own plumbing business, which at one point also embraced painting, glazing, signwriting and embossing and gilding on glass.
He was also a keen bandsman and rifleman, serving in the local (H) company of the King"s Shropshire Light Infantry"s 2nd Volunteer Battalion, in which he was bandmaster.
He died at Watergate Street, Ellesmere, aged 54, months after a serious operation, and was buried in Ellesmere Cemetery. Adams made four appearances for Wales as follows:.
He was also a member of the National Conservative League"s Cyclist Corps, which assisted at elections as late as the 1906 General Election in his area.