Ywain Gwynedd was born on this day 37 years ago.
The popular attacking midfielder began his career at Blaenau Amateurs before coming through the ranks at League of Wales side Porthmadog.
His performances in the successful reserve side led to him making his first team debut as a substitute on February 26, 2005, in a 1-0 home win over Port Talbot.
The following season saw Ywain’s full debut for Port in a 2-1 Welsh Cup victory at Gresford Athletic. He started 10 games that campaign with another 14 appearances from the bench.
Having started the 2006/07 season at Y Traeth, Ywain decided to sign second forms for Llangefni Town of the Cymru Alliance.
Ywain enjoyed a tremendous campaign at Lon Talwrn under Adie Jones as Cefni won the league and secured promotion to the Welsh Premier for the first time in their history.
Town lasted just one season in the top flight, but Ywain managed to make 21 starts and eight sub appearances, scoring five goals.
Although relegated he stayed with the Anglesey club for a further two seasons, becoming a huge favourite with supporters.
In November 2010, Ywain arrived at Caernarfon Town and scored on his debut against Llanberis.
He helped the Canaries win the Barritt Cup that season under Steve Smith, beating Nefyn United in the final.
Over the next four seasons, Ywain was to become one of the Canaries’ most consistent performers as the club’s previously flailing fortunes turned around gloriously.
In 2012/13, he was a member of Lee Dixon’s treble-winning squad which won the Welsh Alliance League, FAW Trophy and Cookson Cup, Ywain featuring in 46 matches and notching four goals.
The next campaign delivered more joy for Ywain and the Canaries as they lifted the Cymru Alliance League Cup and NWCFA Challenge Cup, beating Bangor City in the final.
In his final season he added a Huws Gray Alliance runners-up medal to his collection and despite not playing regularly due to injury, he managed 12 starts, five sub appearances and three goals.
Overall, Ywain made 137 starts for Town, with a further 18 appearances, scoring 26 times.
Among his many highlights with the club were a stunning bicycle kick in a 3-0 win against Llandudno in 2015.
Ywain was a fantastic team player, gave his all in every game and played a massive part in the resurgence of Caernarfon Town.
He is held in high regard by the Cofi Army and rightly so.
After taking a year long break from the game, he returned briefly for Porthmadog in 2016-17, but after five starts and three cameo appearances from the bench, he decided to retire due to a persistent hip injury.
Most North Wales football followers will probably know Ywain is also famed for his musical talents.
In recent years he is celebrated for his successes in the band Yws Gwynedd, which is named after him.
The group achieved acclaim after their debut album Codi/Cysgu won Best LP at Y Selar music awards in 2014 and was nominated for best Welsh-language album at the Eisteddfod in 2015.
Their second album Anrheoli was released in 2017. It was nominated for the 2017 Welsh-language album of the year award and won best album at Y Selar.
Perta, the Welsh entry for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018, was written by Ywain.
Penblwydd hapus Ywain – diolch am popeth
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