Happy football retirement to Mari Gibbard – the Llanrug Legend

Retired Wrexham AFC Women midfielder Mari Gibbard says her year out through injury made her realise there is more to life than football.

The 29-year-old from Llanrug, near Caernarfon, recently hung up her boots almost 12 months to the day since she last played for Wrexham in the 2024-25 Welsh Cup final against Cardiff City.

Mari missed the whole of the 2025-26 campaign through a hamstring problem which has never recovered well enough for her to continue playing.

She joined Wrexham from Llandudno in January 2023 and departs the Red Dragons with 58 appearances and four goals on her record.

Part of the 2022-23 Adran North title-winning squad and the team which triumphed in the play-off against Briton Ferry Llansawel to reach the Adran Premier, she went on to represent Steve Dale’s side in two Welsh Cup finals.

In the run-up to 2024-25, the former Ysgol Brynrefail pupil – where she won the Welsh Cup – was part of the Wrexham team that toured the USA.

Asked about her decision to retire from competitive football, Mari said: “I’ve been out with injury all season and still not fully ready to play. Even though it’s been a tough and frustrating season it’s also given me a glimpse of life without football.

“It’s been a huge commitment the past 3 seasons, it’s all sooo been worth it as I’ve had so many great experiences, but you also miss out on a lot of stuff in terms of family and friends and just life in general so feel like now I’m on my way to 30 i’m ready to settle down more.”

CELEBRATION OF A GREAT TALENT

Born on February 23, 1997, Mari was always destined to shine as a footballer, even though she showed exceptional promise in netball, hockey and cross-country as a youngster.

Hailing from a footballing family, her early career highlights included in May 2010, scoring a hat-trick as the girls of Ysgol Brynrefail, Llanrug, beat Cwmtawe 11-1 in the Welsh Schools Under-13 Cup Final at Park Hall, home of The New Saints.

A one-sided final also saw Mari’s team-mates Lois Regan and Alaw Prys Hughes score three goals apiece, with Catrin Gruffydd and Ella Owen adding the others.

Playing initially her club football for Llewod Llanrug, in 2015-16, Mari starred for the Bangor University side which won the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) League.

A Wales Universities international, Mari started out as a senior with CPD Bethel, then played in the Welsh Premier Women’s League for Llandudno in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

In the latter season, she was top scorer with 15 goals in all competitions.She will always be remembered for two stunning long range goals at Maesdu Park against Cardiff City.

In October 2018, Mari scored six goals for Llandudno in a Welsh Cup tie against Corwen. She repeated the feat in the same competition in 2022-23 for Tudno in a 10-0 victory over CPD Y Rhyl 1879.

The only player to score six goals twice in a Women’s Welsh Cup tie? Could well be….

Before visiting the USA with Wrexham in the 2024-25 pre-season, Mari had previous experience of the states, having studied, played, worked and coached there.

After netting 16 goals for Felinheli (name change from Bethel) in 2021-22, including 13 in 13 games in the Adran North, Mari rejoined Llandudno at the start of 2022-23, pocketing a hat-trick on debut in an 8-0 drubbing of CPD Y Rhyl 1879.

Soon after that second six-goal Welsh Cup haul versus the Lilywhites, Mari signed for Wrexham where many more great times were to come.

A skliful, hard-working, two-footed strong and consistent player with a penchant for scoring stunning goals and great heading ability, Mari is one of the very best players North Wales has produced.

Grassroots North Wales congratulates her on a fine career and wishes her well for the future.

Women’s football may always recognise her most for the Wrexham years, but to many of us she will always be the Llanrug Legend.