By Paul Jones Gareth Bale deserves a statue built in his honour, according to Wales manager Rob Page. Bale, a five-time Champions League winner at Real Madrid, announced his retirement on Monday after winning 111 caps and scoring 41 goals for his country – two Wales men’s team records. The 33-year-old’s decision came after Wales’ […]

By David Williams Gareth Bale’s decision to end his playing career – announced on Monday evening – brings to an end one of the greatest careers in Welsh sport. In recognition of his status, teammates, clubs, coaches and fans were quick to express their admiration for arguably the greatest Welsh footballer of all time. Bale […]

By Paul Jones Russell Martin has emphasised the need for Swansea City to add to their attacking options in the transfer window, given the expected departures of Jamie Paterson and Michael Obafemi. Both players are likely to be allowed to leave this month if the club receives acceptable offers and head coach Martin is keen […]

By Gareth James Cardiff City manager Mark Hudson, has expressed his pride in his team’s performance during their FA Cup third round tie against Leeds United, in which they drew 2-2. The Bluebirds had taken a 2-0 lead at half-time, but Premier League side Leeds equalized in injury time. Hudson said: “First and foremost, the […]

By David Williams Russell Martin expects yet another turbulent transfer window for Swansea City, but Joe Allen’s return provides some optimism ahead of the FA Cup. Russell Martin’s side have endured an inconsistent season so far, and while an FA Cup trip to Ashton Gate to face Bristol City awaits Swansea this weekend, the transfer […]

By Gareth James Sean Morrison -the totemic former captain of Cardiff City – has announced his departure from the club after more than eight years of service. Morrison sustained a serious knee injury in a win against Barnsley in February 2022 and has not played since. Despite the setback, he has remained with the team […]

By Gareth James Nathan Jones insisted he will remain ‘thick-skinned’ after his Southampton side were loudly booed off following a damaging 1-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest. Disgruntled home fans vented their displeasure following Saints’ sixth successive Premier League defeat, with the full-time jeers followed by chants of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’, […]

By David Williams Kit Symons has lost his job as Wales assistant manager. Symons’ contract was up after the World Cup and will not be renewed for the forthcoming Euro 2024 campaign. Speaking about the decision, Wales manager Rob Page said: “I would like to thank Kit for his hard work and contribution to the […]

By Paul Jones Swansea City have decided to bring Morgan Whittaker back from his loan at Plymouth Argyle. The 21-year-old has been impressive for Plymouth, the leaders in League One, scoring nine goals in 25 appearances since moving there last July. He’s only made three starts for Swansea in the Championship since joining from Derby […]

Liam Cullen has a way to go before he becomes a World Cup winner, a global icon, a seven-times winner of the Ballon d’Or and scorer of 793 goals. But that has not stopped Swansea City fans from dubbing their striker, The Tenby Messi in homage to Argentina’s Lionel. Vincent Kompany had a number of battles with Messi when he was a player, but now the Burnley manager will have to plan to contain the new Welsh version.

Newport County have shown they can deal with the top teams in League Two, but now it is time to get down and dirty with one of the teams around them in the bottom half of the table as troubled Crawley Town head to Rodney Parade on Monday. The fact Crawley have sacked three managers this season, sold their best player and recently had one of their directors in the dug-out tells you all you need to know about their current state. They also haven’t won a game away from home this season. In contrast, Newport’s 0-0 draw against runaway leaders Leyton Orient provided further confirmation that Graham Coughlan has got his side fighting and functioning, but with only three wins in their last 10 league outings a victory is surely due.

Mark Hudson has urged Cardiff City players to “keep the faith” even though he appears unable to steer them away from relegation danger. The 1-0 defeat away to Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Day means the Bluebirds are now without a win in seven games and remain only two points above the Championship drop zone. Since Hudson took over, he has managed just four victories in 16 matches with a squad that appears ill-equipped to pull clear to mid-table.

By Paul Jones  Russell Martin has spoken of his relief at pulling through the worst coaching period of his career. The Swansea City boss had gone eight matches without a victory until that sequence was broken in emphatic style with a 4-0 win over Watford on Friday night. The result – secured by two goals […]

Newport County’s final assignment of 2022 couldn’t be a tougher as they host the runaway leaders of League Two, Leyton Orient, at Rodney Parade on Friday night. The ‘Os’ have lost only twice in the league this season and currently sit seven points clear of second place Stevenage. Richie Wellens will bring with him a confident, competent and very much in-form side with him to Newport.

By David Williams Russell Martin has threatened to end his ‘Mr Nice Guy’ routine as he tries to find a way to halt Swansea City’s longest run without a win since they dropped out of the Premier League in 2018.  The 2-1 defeat at Reading in midweek meant the Swans slipped to 16th and have now gone eight games without a win. They […]

By Paul Jones Russell Martin is tired of sloppy performances, as he see his team drop down to 16th in the Championship, following an eight game winless streak. Andy Carroll’s third goal of the season put Paul Ince’s men ahead, and it might have been two within five minutes had Yakou Meite not mindlessly blazed […]

Nathan Jones has admitted he needs to turn things around quickly after his first Premier League home match as a manager ended in a disastrous 3-1 defeat for his club Southampton against Brighton. The Welshman watched his club slip to the bottom of the table after being outclassed by Brighton at St Mary’s. Having taken charge of Southampton just twice since his appointment on November 10 due to the break for the World Cup, Jones was hoping to oversee back-to-back wins after Tuesday’s narrow victory over Lincoln, but his players produced a disappointing performance on Boxing Day.

Russell Martin will be first in the queue at the January sales – searching for wingbacks to replace Ryan Manning and Joel Latibeaudiere. The Swansea City head coach is gearing up for transfer activity after both players rejected the latest offers of new contracts and appear destined to leave the club. At a time when Martin had hoped to add more fire-power to his front line to push for a play-off place, the decisions by Manning, 26, and the 22-year-old former Manchester City starlet Latibeaudiere, have forced Martin to alter his thinking .

Cardiff City have revealed that Rubin Colwill has taken part in fewer than half of their training sessions this season. The Wales midfielder’s progress has been beset by injuries, even though he made the World Cup squad for Qatar and came on as a substitute in the defeat to England. Colwill has actually managed 12 appearances for Cardiff this season, but 11 of those have been off the bench and his manager Mark Hudson has admitted there are concerns over the durability of the 20-year-old, despite his obvious talent.

The World Cup and the magic of Lionel Messi may have inspired people around the world, but in Wales there is one organisation hoping the tournament can genuinely help change lives. Street Football Wales use Pele’s “beautiful game” as way of doing something much more than just providing excitement on the field. Through football, the social inclusion charity build communities, enabling those who have been through tough times to restore self-confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging.