Happy birthday Saskia Wynne-Thomas – one of the best defenders around

Happy birthday Saskia Wynne-Thomas, a defender who would have been in much demand over the summer after her former club CPD Y Rhyl 1879 decided not to participate in the 2025-26 season.

Like many of her Lilywhites team-mates, the 26-year-old decided to make a short-distance switch to Rhyl-based NFA, who have started the campaign well, currently topping the North Wales Coast League.

Previously with Denbigh Town, Saskia also played for Rhyl Hearts, Kinmel Bay, Prestatyn U16’s and Prestatyn Ladies before joining the then newly-formed Rhyl 1879 at the beginning of 2021-22.

She was part of an invincible team which won the North Wales League by a 10-point margin, going unbeaten in all 18 matches in their debut season with 16 wins and two draws.

Rhyl scored an outstanding 118 goals and just as importantly only conceded 13 in 18 games, Saskia generally starring as a right-back alongside the likes of Cassandra Thomas, Rosie O’Brien, Steph Farley and Sophie Haywood.

The dental nurse made 19 appearances in all that 2021-22 season and went on to represent 1879 for the next three campaigns in the Tier 2 Adran North League.

In all, Saskia played in 64 matches for the Lilywhites, and would have clocked up quite a few more had she not missed the first five months of 2024-25 through injury.

Quality on the ball and strong in the tackle, Saskia often joins attacks down the right when she gets a chance to break forward.

So far she has featured in three matches for NFA, including wins over Trearddur Bay and CPD Pwllheli.