Amazing to see Grace back!

Grace (yellow and blue) on the attack for Llanystumdwy

This season has brought a very welcome return to the field after a long injury lay-off for one of North Wales women’s football’s most exciting forwards.

Grace Mpuku, 28, has appeared twice as a second-half substitute in CPDM Llanystumdwy’s opening two matches of 2025-26 in the NWCFA Challenge Cup.

The talented winger/striker had previously not played since March 26, 2023, when she suffered an ACL injury representing Llan in a North Wales Women’s League match at Trearddur Bay.

A long wait before surgery was followed by a lengthy recovery spell, but this season she is back and ready to go.

“I was out for longer than expected, but all repaired now and fully recovered after surgery,” said Grace.

“In the Trearddur Bay game in March 2023 I ruptured my ACL, so I had to wait for surgery. It’s been a long time, but it’s great to be back.”

ACL issues have become far too commonplace in women’s football. So many talented players from North Wales alone have had their careers either ended or severly disrupted by these painful injuries where recovery times can be very lengthy.

Previously with Northop and Pwllheli, pacy Grace began playing for Llanystumdwy when they formed at the start of 2021-22.

She netted a hat-trick in just her third game against Holywell Girls and Ladies and in total has scored 21 goals in 34 appearances for the village side.

Grace bagged 12 goals in 15 matches in her debut season and nine in 15 outings in her second.

Llanystumdwy are a much improved side in recent times and no doubt the return of Grace will serve as a massive boost.