Today marks a very special birthday for a Llŷn Peninsula football legend.
Born on November 17, 1975, John Gwynfor Jones is 50 today.
Known popularly as John Mynydd, the right-back represented Porthmadog for five seasons in the Welsh Premier League between 2003-04 and 2007-08, featuring in 138 games.
He signed for Port from Nefyn United towards the tail end of the 2001/02 season.
The following campaign, Jones was part of one of the most successful Porthmadog squads in the club’s history, that 2002/03 season delivering the Cymru Alliance League title, League Cup and NWCFA Challenge Cup.
Other Traeth stars from that period included top-scorer Carl Owen, David Farr, Steve Pugh, Gareth Parry, Tony Williams, Lee Webber and Mike Foster, but it was the consistent John Gwynfor who was named Clubman of the Year.
The following 2003/04 season was Port’s first back in the League of Wales after a five-year absence and their very first goal was a rare one from John Gwynfor Jones! His 25-yard left-foot rocket put them 1-0 up at Connah’s Quay, the game ending in a 3-1 victory for the Eifionydd outfit.
Jones rates scoring that goal as one of the most memorable moments of his career.
During his five top-flight seasons with Port, Jones did have a spell with Nefyn in 2005-06 and he was to return to Cae’r Delyn as player-manager in 2008-09.
The Penwaig finished seventh in the Welsh Alliance League that season, but more impressive was their run to the FAW Trophy semi-finals.
It was the furthest Nefyn had progressed in that national competition, but they did not quite make the final, Penycae beating them 3-2 in the semi at Rhyl with Barry Love and Brian Matthews on target for the Llŷn club.
Towards the end of his career, John Gwynfor had a stint with another Llŷn side in Pwllheli, playing in the Welsh Alliance into his early 40s and still giving the 100 per cent he had always done throughout his footballing days.
In more recent years, the super-fit Jones has delved into the world of MMA, competing in grappling contests.
As a footballer, John Gwynfor Jones will forever be respected for his reading of the game, tackling, heading and strength as a defender.
Penblwydd hapus John!
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