Penblwydd hapus Ian Pleming (aka Chops – CPD Mountain Rangers)

Striker Ian Pleming has played for many clubs and been a consistent net finder and trophy-winner throughout his career.

Today the experienced front man celebrates his 35th birthday.

Born on January 25, 1986, the player popularly known as “Chops” was with Anglesey League debutants Mountain Rangers last season.

He is a strong and skilful striker who has regularly scored goals at all levels.

As a teenager he became a member of Caernarfon Town’s 2003/04 Welsh Premier side, making one full and one substitute appearance having impressed in the reserves. He later played for Llangefni Town and Bontnewydd.

In 2007/08 he was crowned top scorer at Gwynedd League side Bethel before joining Caernarfon Borough of the Caernarfon and District League.

After three games of the 2009/10 season he left to join Mountain Rangers, scoring four on his debut versus Nefyn – a feat he would repeat against Blaenau Ffestiniog later in the season when bagging 22 goals in 15 games.

Having finished the campaign as the league top scorer, he attracted interest from Glantraeth and joined the club on a one-year contract.

His first season at the club was hugely successful as they finished Gwynedd League runners-up and won the North Wales Coast Intermediate Cup, Gwynedd League Cup, Bob Owen Memorial Shield and the Gwynedd Shield, with Pleming scoring a hat-trick and awarded the man of the match award in the final versus Llanfairfechan.

The following season saw him remain at Glan and he notched seven goals in eight games before the lure of a transfer to his hometown club proved too strong and he returned to The Oval in November 2011.

He made 13 appearances, scoring twice before returning to Glantraeth in October 2012 after a brief spell playing alongside his brother Arwel at Caernarfon Borough.

Ian soon found the net on his return to Glan, however disaster struck against Pwllheli in March 2012 when he damaged the cruciate ligament in his knee and tore his hamstring.

After a lengthy absence, Ian resumed his career with Nantlle Vale and Gwalchmai before becoming player-manager at Talysarn Celts in 2015/16, where he found the net on a regular basis.

Pleming returned to Bontnewydd and led them to the Gwynedd Safeflue Trophy. In 2018-19, as player-manager, he picked up the Top Scorer award with 16 goals.

Last season brought a return to Mountain Rangers under manager Alex Philp.

Happy birthday Chops – have a great day.

Many thanks to Alex Philp for article information.