Female Football Focus 2021-22 – Jess Roberts (CPD Merched Pwllheli)

It’s a huge happy birthday to CPD Merched Pwllheli’s Jess Roberts.

Born on January 27, 1993, Jess is one of our wonderful nurses representing the amazing NHS.

She is also football mad, and although injury curtailed her career, she remains involved with CPD Pwllheli as a first-aider.

Full name

Jessica Ann Roberts

Place of birth

Bangor

Date of birth

27/01/1993

Height

5ft 4

Occupation

Staff Nurse on Alaw Ward cancer services

When did you start playing football?

When I was 5 years old

What was your main position?

Centre back up until I played for ladies, then either right or left-back

Which clubs did you play for?

I have spent most of my playing days at Pwllheli FC, but spent a short period playing for Llandudno Ladies when I was 16 before i had my first knee injury which meant I spent a good couple years recovering from.

What was the highlight of your football career?

Having spent a weekend in Cardiff having trials for Wales and meeting Colin Jackson at the training ground

We believe an injury has forced you to stop playing. Please tell us about the injury and how have you coped not being able to play?

I injured my other knee a year-and-a-half ago at our first pre-season training, post the first lockdown.

I’ve torn my ACL and cartilage on my right knee (having previously done it to my left when i was 16🙈). I now have no cartilage😂 and still waiting to be seen to repair the ACL🙄. I have found it very hard having made the decision to retire from the game especially now seeing the ladies play in tier 2 and progressing in cup games to play against top teams like Cardiff and Swansea. But realistically I have to put my job first.

You still play an important role at CPD Pwllheli – please tell us what you do

I am now the ladies first aider😊 and to be honest overall mother picking up after all these ladies😂

How do you feel Pwllheli Ladies are performing this season?

They got off to a very good and strong start with a good unbeaten run, but have found it very difficult these last few games since not having a coach supporting us on the sideline and key players missing due to either work commitments or Covid. But I admire every one of them for giving a 100% in each game despite the turnout or the results.

How excited are you all about getting to the Welsh Cup quarter-finals?

As a team we all know how difficult the game will be against Swansea, but it’s such an amazing opportunity for the ladies to be a part of, and for some maybe the last chance to take part in such a big and important game😊

Which female footballer do you admire most?

I have to say Lowri Hughes. I have spent most of my football days playing alongside Lowri for Pwllheli and also North Wales coast. Her determination when playing football is inspiring.

Away from football, what female sportswoman/women do you most admire?

Jessica Ennis-Hill

Which coach influenced you the most in your playing career?

I would have to say Adrian Williams (‘Eddie’) who used to be my under 16’s and under 18’s manager. He used to be brutal in training but it always paid off when competing💪🏻

What are your feelings on the women’s football pyramid changes in Wales? Are you in favour of an elite Tier 2 North?

Yes

Tell us about the greatest game you played in

It has to be when I played for under 14’s boys vs Harlech. I remember walking on the pitch and hearing all the Harlech boys laugh and joke that ‘they had a girl in their team’. Well did they eat their words😂 …came away with a win and man of the match💪🏻😂

Tell us about your favourite all-time kit

Oww that’s a tough one🤔 I can’t think on the spot

What are your musical tastes?

I can’t really say I like a specific genre but I do like a bit of dance😂

Do you watch TV soaps?

I used to watch them religiously, but haven’t really watched them for the last couple of years

Do you have any pets?

No

What is your dream job?

Becoming a nurse, which I have already achieved😊

What are your future hopes for CPD Merched Pwllheli?

I hope that we can keep the current standard and promote junior football. At the moment we don’t have any girls junior teams so I feel we don’t have the luxury of training younger girls to potentially play for the ladies team. It would be nice to develop this in the future.