Female Football Focus 2021 – Nia Angharad Ginnelly (Llangefni Town captain)

Here’s someone whose dynamic personality bursts through in her answers!

Nia Ginnelly is captain of the Llangefni Town Ladies side which has won many friends and admirers for their attitude to the game and ever-growing progress since joining the North Wales League this season.

Nia’s enthusiasm and love of the sport typifies the whole Cefni squad and their male management team.

Full Name

Nia Angharad Ginnelly

Date of Birth

27/09/1993

Occupation

Stay at home Mam (previously an optical consultant)

Current team

Llangefni Town Ladies

Position

Holding midfielder

Why did you start playing football?

I used to sit with my dad and watch Liverpool and the love grew from there. Used to play first to 5 in the back garden every night against my dad, who later became my manager/coach. My cousins Sam and Steven Kehoe played a lot of football and when I used to stay at my auntie’s house, I loved all the trophies and wanted some for myself.

How long have you played the game?

My cousin Sam, she took me to my first ever football training when I was around 6 or 7 years old, and I kept going until I was around 17 and now I’m coming back into it after 10 years!

Most memorable game played in so far

Has to be Trearddur Bay last Sunday (October 31 – 4-0 win). We needed that win after 2 heavy losses and we did it with our first clean sheet.

Strengths to your game

Not scared to go into a tackle

Weaknesses

At the moment I’d say fitness but it’s improving quickly.

Best team-mate played alongside

Over the years there’s been so many, but there is something special about this team. We all support each other. I genuinely couldn’t pick just one.

Hardest opponent faced

Has to be JADE COOK in training, she is immense!

Biggest influence in football

My dad made me into the footballer I am today, so it has to be him personally. Footballers I love, they have to be Mascherano, Riise, Alonso, Hyypia, Gerrard, Carragher and the golden oldie Souness!

Funniest team-mate

Our very own Cox in the box! Her snapchats to the group….there is one famous one that the whole team will know about!!

Favourite away ground

I genuinely couldn’t compare any field close to Cae Bob Parry. We’ve got Rhyl this month and their ground looks nearly just as good so we’ll see.

Other sporting achievements

One of my best moments was Dan (Gregg – manager) messaging me saying ‘alright skipper’ when he took over as manager. Representing Wales in indoor athletics has to be one of the best moments ever, I’ve always loved team events. Also travelling to Brecon with the girls athletics team in school to represent Eryri as a team was a big highlight!

Is Ginnelly your married name and have you ever been called Gino (after the ice-cream and pizza – Note: spelt differently) ?

Ginnelly is my maiden name, but even if I was to ever get married I wouldn’t change it. Funnily enough, I’ve never been called Gino, but to the team I am only known as Gino now. My girls called me Gino instead of mam when I went up to them half time once after hearing my team mates shout it so much (I’m also knows as Ginosaurus Rex, because my arms look like trex arms in some matchday photos haha!)

RANDOM QUESTIONS

Best country visited

Best place I’ve ever been is Ibiza with my friends (although I don’t know how much I actually remember)

Favourite chocolate bar

Milka, anything with Milka chocolate!!

Best after-match venue

Wellmans have always been good to us after a game when the clubhouse wasn’t open so BIG shoutout to Wellmans!!

Best film seen

Green Mile is an all time favourite

Current favourite song

Adele’s new song, but my most played on Alexa is Simon Webbe’s Coming Around Again, definitely my cleaning the house song!!

Favourite TV show

I haven’t missed an episode of Hollyoaks for 10 years so it has to be Hollyoaks. Grey’s Anatomy is also up there

TV show you dislike most

Anything that is a horror 😅

Best quality as a person

I’m an amazing mam whilst still being able to be Nia, and I dont take life too seriously.

Worst fault

Being the most unphotogenic footballer ever ! Q

Best live show/concert seen

Not a live show or concert but my dad taking me to watch Liverpool for the first time, nothing could top that.

Tell us something about you we might not know

I’m a mam to a 9 year old boy, who has a disability, he is non-verbal and has autism so I’d just take this opportunity to spread Autism Awareness because it’s so important to me. I also have 2 little girls who are amazing but drive me crazy!