Joyous news for CPD Merched Bethel couple

Wonderful news relating to CPD Merched Bethel and the club’s husband and wife team Ben and Gwenno Gibbard Bolton.

The couple are celebrating the birth of their first child.

Henri Owen Gibbard Bolton entered the world on July 7, 2020, at 9.04 am, weighing in at 7 lb 3 oz.

Ben and Gwenno have decided not to share photos of the new arrival on social media just yet, but Grassroots North Wales has been given an exclusive look at Henri’s first – and most important – babygro, plus a cute hand close-up.

The couple married in August 2018 and have a long-running involvement with CPD Merched Bethel.

Former player Ben, whose clubs included Cae Glyn juniors, Waunfawr and Llanberis, has been involved in women’s football since 2012.

He was working in a local primary school where he had done some coaching, when he was approached by players and parents from Caernarfon Town’s Under-12s team with a view to becoming manager.

He took over the side and spent four years with Caernarfon before moving to Bethel, where he has coached the junior and senior sides with considerable success.

Ben became CPD Merched Bethel’s senior first team manager in August 2017, replacing the retiring Iorwerth Williams. He led the team to the North Wales Women’s League joint Division One title in 2018-19, plus two cup finals.

Gwenno began playing football aged 6 and represented Llanrug Boys’ team from under-7 to U-11. Her father established the first girls team at under 12 in Llanrug and they finished their first season unbeaten, winning the league and cup.

As a senior, Gwenno went on to play for Newcastle Emlyn and Caernarfon Town, where she won the Welsh Premier northern conference.

Then began a long spell with Bethel, where she has developed into one of the best midfield players in North Wales.

Grassroots North Wales wishes Henri a long and happy life and we keep our fingers crossed for Gwenno and Ben to enjoy at least a few decent nights’ sleep in the months ahead. Llongyfarchiadau i chi gyd!