Sport
Football in Wales: From grassroots to professional

When people think of Wales and sports, they immediately think of rugby. However, football also holds a special place in the hearts of Welsh fans, with a rich history and deep-rooted passion that runs parallel to its more hands-on counterpart. From local grassroots clubs to professional players on the global stage, football is woven into the fabric of Welsh culture.
Grassroots football in Wales
Grassroots football forms the foundation of Welsh football, offering young talent vital opportunities to develop. Local clubs and leagues across the country play a key role, while the FAW Trust supports initiatives like coach development and youth programmes.
Key areas for producing top footballers include North Wales, where clubs like Wrexham AFC play a role in development. In South Wales, clubs like Cardiff City and Swansea City invest in academies, consistently nurturing players who excel domestically and internationally.
The Cymru Premier plays a crucial role in developing local talent, offering players a platform to hone their skills before advancing to higher levels. The New Saints FC, one of the league’s most successful clubs, consistently invests in youth talent and nurtures future professionals.
Welsh players in the Premier League and Championship
In recent years, Welsh footballers have made waves in the Premier League and Championship, competing at the highest levels of English football.
Brennan Johnson, now at Tottenham Hotspur, is one of Wales’ top rising talents. His standout performances at Nottingham Forest showcased his versatility and goal-scoring ability, making him crucial for both club and country.
At Nottingham Forest, Neco Williams continues to make a strong impact, contributing both defensively and offensively from the right-back position.
In the Championship, Aaron Ramsey has returned to Cardiff City, bringing leadership and experience to his boyhood club. Meanwhile, Daniel James, on loan at Leeds United, remains a key player, using his pace to stretch defences.
Ben Cabango has developed into a dependable defender for Swansea City, and Harry Wilson continues to impress at Fulham with his creativity and set-piece expertise.
Upcoming fixtures & odds
Fans of Cardiff City and Swansea City are eagerly anticipating the next South Wales derby, one of the most intense fixtures in the Championship. Cardiff’s next home game against Watford presents a chance for them to secure crucial points, with promotion hopes still within reach despite their mid-table position. Swansea, meanwhile, will face Stoke City at home, looking to regain consistency and push for a top-six finish.
In League One, Wrexham AFC continue to impress following their promotion from League Two. Their upcoming games against favourites such as Birmingham and Huddersfield will be pivotal in their quest for promotion yet again, with odds placing them as strong contenders for success this season.
Under the high-profile ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham’s journey remains one of the most exciting stories in the league.
On the international stage, Wales are currently competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with important matches ahead. According to TalkSport Betting, their odds vary depending on the opposition, but there’s optimism around their ability to build on recent strong performances. With key players like Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams in the squad, Wales will be hopeful of securing qualification.
Conclusion
Football in Wales continues to thrive, from grassroots development to professional representation. With Welsh players excelling in both the Premier League and Championship, and teams like Wrexham, Cardiff, and Swansea keeping Welsh football firmly on the map, the future of the sport in Wales is bright.
As domestic and international fixtures unfold, Welsh fans have much to look forward to, both on the local pitches and in the professional arenas.
Sport
Solva sailor Micky Beckett leads British medal surge in Mallorca

Pembrokeshire sailor Micky Beckett has once again cemented his place among the sport’s elite, securing his fourth consecutive victory in the ILCA 7 men’s dinghy class at the prestigious Trofeo Princesa Sofia regatta.
Hailing from the coastal village of Solva, Beckett sealed the title with a day to spare — a remarkable feat that underscores his dominance on the international circuit and sends a strong signal ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic campaign.
His win was one of nine medals earned by the British Sailing Team in Mallorca, with Great Britain finishing top of the medal table ahead of Australia and China.
Beckett, who has steadily climbed the ranks in recent years, is now one of the standout figures in British sailing. Known for his consistency and calm approach on the water, the 29-year-old has made the ILCA 7 fleet his own, and his continued success reflects the strength of both his individual talent and the support around him.
“If this week is anything to go by, the future is bright for the British Sailing Team,” said performance director Mark Robinson — a nod to Beckett’s influence and the broader success of the squad.
While Beckett led the charge, fellow Brit Emma Wilson also delivered a standout performance. The two-time Olympic bronze medallist won 14 of 21 races in the iQFOiL foiling windsurfing class, earning her the prestigious Princess Sofia Trophy — the event’s top honour.
“It’s crazy – I wasn’t expecting it at all,” said Wilson, 25. “There are names on this trophy like Ben Ainslie, people I’ve looked up to since I was a kid. To have my name on there now is pretty cool.”
The British team also took home gold in the 49erFX (Saskia Tidey and Freya Black), 470 (Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris), and Nacra 17 (John Gimson and Anna Burnet). There were silver medals for Lily Young (Formula Kite) and Elliot Hanson (ILCA 7), while Ellie Aldridge (Formula Kite) and Daisy Collingridge (ILCA 6) each claimed bronze.
Sport
Goodwick edge closer to perfect season

Kilgetty 0 – Goodwick United 3
GOODWICK United are just one game away from completing a flawless league campaign after a dominant 3-0 victory away at Kilgetty.
Nathan Greene opened the scoring with a thumping header on 13 minutes, meeting Will Haworth’s pinpoint corner. Haworth then turned scorer just before half-time, glancing in Luke Hayward’s free-kick to double the lead.
Rhys Jones wrapped things up from the penalty spot after Rhys Dalling was brought down in the box.
Manager Chris O’Sullivan now turns his attention to the final fixture at Phoenix Park against Tenby, where his side will aim to complete an unbeaten league season.
Pennar Robins stay in top-four hunt
Pennar Robins 3 – Clarbeston Road 1
PENNAR Robins kept their hopes of a top-three finish alive with a solid 3-1 win over Clarbeston Road at Bush Camp.
Ben Adams struck twice, either side of a Jamie Wilkes goal, to seal the win. Adams and Wilkes gave the hosts a 2-0 lead at the break, but Richard Bevan pulled one back for the visitors in the second half.
Adams netted his second in the 88th minute to put the result beyond doubt and keep Pennar in touching distance of Monkton Swifts, with two matches left to play.
Swifts confirm Milford relegation
Milford United 0 – Monkton Swifts 4
MILFORD United’s relegation from Division One was confirmed on Saturday as Monkton Swifts cruised to a 4-0 win at Marble Hall.
Paul Miller was instrumental for the visitors, assisting goals for Billy Davis and Liam Butland before scoring one himself. Jack Clarke added a fourth after the break, converting from Ben Steele’s cross.
Monkton remain third, just ahead of Pennar Robins, with both sides battling for a top-three finish in the final weeks.
Milford now turn their attention to the Senior Cup Final against Hakin United.
Wizards and Vikings share derby spoils
Merlins Bridge 0 – Hakin United 0
A TIGHT and tense derby between Merlins Bridge and Hakin United ended in a goalless draw at the Pembrokeshire Sports Ground.
Both teams had opportunities, with Mark Jones going close for Hakin and Mason Dolling striking the side netting. For the Wizards, substitute Ben Davies had the ball in the net, only for the flag to go up for offside.
Hakin now shift focus to the Senior Cup Final against Milford United, while Merlins Bridge can take heart from a resilient defensive performance.
Sport
Narberth Athletic overpower Llangwm as St Davids claim dramatic win

Narberth Athletic 61 – Llangwm 10
NARBERTH Athletic delivered a dominant display to defeat Llangwm 61-10 in their latest Division Four (West) fixture.
Llangwm showed promise in the early exchanges, particularly at scrum time, where their front row of Ieuan Power, Ben Elrick, and Matthew Rees competed well. However, it was the home side who controlled the scoreboard.
Narberth opened the scoring after 31 minutes with a converted try from prop Shay Norcross. That breakthrough was followed by a blistering five-minute spell in which captain Harry Phillips crossed three times, all converted by Shane Rossiter, giving the hosts a commanding 28-0 lead. Llangwm responded before the break with a penalty from Breig Matthews.
In the second half, Narberth extended their lead with tries from Brad Cramb and Stephen J Brown, the latter again converted by Rossiter. Llangwm briefly rallied with a converted try from No 8 Matthew Rees, but Narberth’s bench provided a strong finish. Will Davies touched down twice, while Rossiter added another try and two further conversions, finishing the match with a personal haul of 21 points.
St Davids 31 – Pembroke 24
ST DAVIDS sealed a league double over Pembroke with a thrilling 31-24 home win, a match that also marked the unveiling of the John James Memorial Scoreboard, in honour of a much-loved club stalwart.
The visitors struck first through a penalty from Jarred Sharratt, but St Davids hit back with a try from captain Nathan Foster, converted by Bob Froy. Pembroke regained the lead when Barry Alderman-John crossed for a try in his final game, also converted by Sharratt.
St Davids responded before the interval through player-coach Morgan Griffiths, who scored his first try of the afternoon, again converted by Froy.
The second half saw the momentum swing back and forth. Evan Davies put Pembroke back in front with a try, before a Froy penalty levelled the scores. A converted try from Fraser James gave Pembroke the lead once more, but Griffiths proved the difference, completing his hat-trick with two more tries—both converted by Froy—to secure victory for the Saints.
The win also saw St Davids lift the Willington Slate, an annual trophy contested between the two clubs.
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