Sêr pêl-droed y Gogledd/Stars of North Wales football: Carl Jones (CPD Nefyn)
It is a great privilege to feature one of the Llŷn Peninsula’s finest footballers on Grassroots North Wales today.
Carl Jones was a professional with Cardiff City before stints with Bangor City, Porthmadog and Pwllheli prior to joining current club Nefyn United, where he is joint player-manager.
The 32-year-old is also an ex-Wales international at U-17, 19 and 21 levels, having played alongside the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Chris Gunther.
Full name: Carl Jones
Date of birth: My father played until he was 48, so I want to go further and play until I am 50. I have 18 years of playing left, do the maths. haha.
Place of birth: Pwllheli
Occupation: Full-time Nefyn United player/co-manager
Where do you live: Pwllheli
Married: yes to my wife Cara
Children: 2, Eban and Enlli
Why the nickname ‘Cacan’: My father was called Gareth Cacan, so now my 2 brothers and sister are called Cacan too, haha.
Clubs played for: Cardiff City, Bangor City, Porthmadog, Pwllheli, Nefyn United
Best position: Left wing
Most goals in a game: 22 against Llanystumdwy under-12s
Most goals in a season: 20+ every season
Describe your best goal: Against Bangor City playing for Porthmadog at Farrar Road, a League of Wales game where I dribbled past 5 players and netted in the top corner when I was 19 years old
Highlight of your career: Seeing my son watching me play, he is 3 years old. Nothing will ever top that feeling.
Please tell us about your experience playing alongside Gareth Bale for Wales: He was a magnificent player and an even better professional off the pitch
How much did you enjoy your time at Bangor City: I played at the old Farrar Road where 1,000 plus fans were watching every week. How times have changed unfortunately.
Best ground played at: Anfield for Cardiff City in FA Youth Cup where I got man of the match and 9,000 fans watching from the stands. Unfortunately we lost 2-1. Jay Spearing with the winner.
Worst ground played at: Holywell. Had to drive home on the A55 without windows on my van whilst it was pouring down with rain, Mark Brynley and Daniel Rylance in the front dying of hypothermia. I had to stop at a shop to purchase some gloves and goggles because I could not see with all the rain coming in the van. Mark bought a jumper and Daniel just did not have any money. I suppose it was my fault as I did ruffle a few feathers all the time in Holywell, haha. Let’s just say the fans weren’t too keen on my Welsh swearing words.
Most talented team-mate: Tomos Llywelyn Jones, no doubt he could play at a higher level but he is also the most talented at the pub, haha.
Hardest opponent: My brother, Neil Cacan Jones. Fantastic defender and always from a young age gave me a tough time to get past him but I always managed, haha.
Best manager played under: Myself, Steve and Alan, we just work well together.
How do you feel Nefyn’s season is going: I guess we are on the right track but come back to me at the end of the season for a more definitive answer.
Football hopes for the future: I am currently at the early stages of doing my coaching badges. Football is in my blood and I feel I have a lot to offer in the footballing world, both on and off the pitch. I made a lot of mistakes when I was younger and know now as a man what it takes to make it as a footballer. I wanna be involved with football for the rest of my life. Whether I earn a lot of money or no money, I don’t care as long as I’m involved one way or another.