Football

International Women’s Day – We choose our All-Time North Wales Football XI (updated 2024)

Erica Jones is more than worthy of a place in any North Wales Women’s Football dream team. Picture: SAM EADEN/FAW

On International Women’s Day back in 2016, I chose my All-Time North Wales Women’s Football XI.

Eight years on, has that team changed at all? Yes, my opinions have altered sufficiently to introduce some new names into the Dream Team.

So here is the Grassroots North Wales 2024 All-Time North Wales Women’s XI.

Nicky Davies (goalkeeper)

September 26, 2013: Wales’ goalkeeper Nicola Davies and Belarus’ Hanna Pilipenka during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 Qualifying Group 6 match at the Cardiff City Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

With over 60 Wales caps to her credit, Bangor-born goalkeeper Davies spent three years with Bangor City before joining Liverpool, where she was the regular first-choice gloveswoman between 2003-2012, winning the FA WSL Goalkeeper of the Year award.

She later had spells with Rochdale, Chelsea and Doncaster Belles before signing for Reading in 2014.

Later returned to Doncastle before signing for Sheffield United in 2018-19. Announced her retirement from football in July 2019.

Nia Jones (defender)

Nia Jones pictured after scoring on her Wales debut in 2010

Wrexham-born defender Nia, a former pupil of Ysgol Maes Garmon in Mold, has represented Wales with great distinction at both football and netball.

She began her football career with Northop Hall Girls before going on to play for Cardiff City.

Later turned out for Reading in WSL 1 and Yeovil Town, She won 30 senior Wales caps.

Since 2018, Jones has been a regular pundit and co-commentator at Welsh International matches on behalf of BBC Sport Wales.

Katie Williams (now Davies – defender)

Davies is a former Wales defender who won 20 full caps for her country between 2004-10..

Strong in the tackle and with excellent ball skills, she was part of the all-conquering Bangor City squad of the early millennium before later joining Tranmere Rovers and Blackburn Rovers.

She spent the 2008 off-season in the American W-League with the Fredericksburg Lady Gunners but suffered a damaged cruciate ligament.

Between 2009-11, Davies played for WSL club Liverpool. Returned to Caernarfon Town in her later career.

Married to Huw since 2016, Katie is now a mother-of-two.

Erica Jones (defender)

Erica on the ball for Pwllheli. Picture: DAI SINCLAIR

Was named the all-time Queen of North Wales football in 2021 in a poll involving 30 players past and present.

Very strong, well-organised defender.

Erica has spent most of her career with Pwllheli, with whom she reached the Welsh Cup Final in 2006, but in the 2017-18 season joined Caernarfon Town after the Canaries were promoted to the Welsh Premier.

She later returned to Pwllheli as a player, coach and manager and has led the team to the inaugural North Wales Women’s League West Division title this season with a 100% record.

Louisha Doran (defender)

Louisha in action for Wrexham AFC Women

A great player over a number of seasons whose career would have been even more successful but for injuries.

This season she joined a Wrexham AFC Women team embarking on its first adventure in the Tier 1 Adran Premier and was outstanding over the first dozen games before suffering knee damage.

Former Wales Under-17 international who was part of the fantastic Kinmel Bay side which reached the 2012 Under-16 Welsh Cup final.

Was with Everton as a teenager and later represented Tranmere Rovers before a great spell with Llandudno in the Welsh Premier League.

October 2017 saw her win the WPWL Player of the Month award after scoring eight goals in three league matches.

Later played for Chester and rejoined Llandudno before signing for Wrexham.

Katie Louise Bowe (midfield)

Recently returned to football with Pwllheli after giving birth to a baby girl.

Katie represented North Wales sides all through her youth and featured in the Wales Under-17 national squads for matches against Switzerland and England.

With highly respected women’s football coach Keith Fearns a major influence, in her late teens Katie became a key player in the successful Caernarfon Town ladies teams which won the Welsh Premier Women’s League Northern Conference title twice.

Later went on to star for Llandudno, netting 21 goals in her best season of 2015-16, and creating history when her 25-yard stunner in the Welsh Cup Final made her the first-ever woman to be included in Sgorio’s Goal of the Month competition.

With her stunning left-foot, she can score from virtually anywhere, presenting particular danger from free kicks and corners.

Returned to Caernarfon Town and had a spell with Mountain Rangers, scoring seven goals in one game, before signing for Pwllheli in 2021-22.

Anna Jones (midfield)

Hard-working, tough-tackling, skilful midfielder who has had the guts and ambition to test herself in the English pyramid with Chester and Tranmere Rovers over the past four seasons.

Before that, Anna was an outstanding performer with Bethel, Caernarfon Town and Llandudno.

She won the North Wales League title and Betty Pickering Cup double with Caernarfon in 2016-17, scoring 16 goals.

Anna also stood out for Llandudno in the Welsh Premier in 2018-19 before joining Chester in 2019-20 after Tudno resigned from the top flight.

She has also scooped the BUCS League championship with Bangor University Women’s FC twice.

Cheryl Foster (striker)

After starting her career at Conwy Devils, deadly striker Foster moved to Bangor City and was the club’s Northern Division top-scorer in every season from 1999–00 to 2002–03, also representing the Citizens in Europe.

In 2003 she moved to Liverpool, where she stayed until 2012. In 2009/10 she was Northern Division leading scorer with 16 goals as the Reds stormed to the title. Foster then went on to play for Liverpool in the WSL.

She won 63 Wales caps between 1997 and 2011 and is now a highly-respected referee who in 2015 made the FIFA international list and has since officiated at the World Cup.

Manon Lloyd Williams (winger)

Manon (back row – third woman from right) lines up with Bangor City Girls during their 2002/03 Uefa Cup campaign

Quick and powerful winger who starred for Bangor City under the managership of Keith Fearns.

Won Welsh Cup with the Citizens and represented the club in the Uefa Cup.

Played for Wales at both rugby union and football and has excelled at hockey for Caernarfon.

Tremendous athlete and sporting all-rounder supreme.

Elise Hughes (striker)

One of the very few players from North Wales who has been a regular part of the Welsh Women’s senior squad in recent seasons.

Is on a hot scoring streak at present for Crystal Palace in the FA Women’s Championship, with 18 goals netted in 20 club appearances this term.

She recently won her 21st senior cap for Wales, impressing in a 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.

Elise recorded a first senior goal for her country in the Nations League against Iceland in December.

The 22-year-old won Crystal Palace Women’s cinch Player of the Month for November and December.

She has also played for Everton, Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers and Charlton Athletic.

Ceryl Jones (winger)

Ceryl with Wales stars Barry Horne, Gary Speed, Ryan Giggs and Tony Roberts receiving her first cap. Picture: Alex Philp

Regarded by many as the North Wales GOAT.

In an accomplished, goal-packed career Jones started off with Bangor City Girls, joined Everton, returned to Farrar Road and then signed for Liverpool before finishing on a high with Caernarfon Town.

Ceryl, known popularly as ‘Giggsy’. won three Welsh Cups with Bangor in 1997, 2001 and 2002, scoring in all three finals. She also represented City in the 2002/03 Uefa Cup.

A dazzling wide player who excelled at taking players on, Ceryl scored goals for fun, specialising in free kicks.

Was a tremendous performer for both Merseyside clubs. In 1999 she scored in a penalty shoot-out victory for Everton over Arsenal at Wembley Stadium.

Retired aged 30, rounding off a glittering career by winning trophies with Caernarfon Town.

davenwsport

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