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1.
Name: Craig Bellamy
Current Club: Norwich City (Eng)
Date of Birth: 13/07/1979
Position: Striker
Previous Clubs: None
Honours: Schoolboy, Youth, U-21 intl, and 7 full caps
Comments:
A serious injury has sidelined Craig since late last season. He has already
made a significant contribution to the senior team, and assuming he regains
his undoubted skills as he now returns to full fitness, will be an important
part of any future successes gained by Wales. His goalscoring talents have
already caught the eye of many highly regarded football judges, a much sought
after skill valued by both club and national teams. Wishing him a speedy and
successful recovery.
2.
Name: Matthew Jones
Current Club: Leeds United (Eng)
Date of Birth: 01/09/1980
Position: Midfielder
Previous Clubs: None
Honours: Schoolboy, youth, U-21
Comments:
Matthew is not yet a first team regular, but seemingly still a very important
member of the highly successful Leeds squad. A versatile player whose skills
will surely make him an important part of the senior squad sooner rather than
later. Already noted as a leader, one who can become a catalyst as Wales
hopefully move to a stronger position in world rankings. One waits in
anticipation for his development at international level, soon adding to his
appearance as substitute in the last match versus Switzerland.
3.
Name: Simon Davies
Current Club: Tottenham Hotspur (Eng)
Date of Birth: 23/10/1979
Position: Midfielder
Previous Clubs: Peterborough United
Honours: Youth, and U-21 intl.
Comments:
The recent transfer of Simon to Tottenham fulfills the first part of what is
regarded as the tapping of his immense potential to be a Premier class
player. He was a regular member of the Peterborough side over the past two
seasons where his midfield skills were accentuated with his ability to score
his share of important goals. Another important player in what I see as,
hopefully, a bright future for Welsh football.
4.
Name: Christopher Llewellyn
Current Club: Norwich City (Eng)
Date of Birth: 28/08/1979
Position: Midfielder
Previous Clubs: None
Honours: Schoolboy, Youth, U-21 intl., and 2 full caps
Comments:
Chris is now a regular member of the Norwich line-up. He can be used as a
striker but prefers and usually operates as a left sided midfield player. He
is making steady progress in his career and, if maintained, is expected to be
another one providing an important contribution toward the well being of the
Welsh senior team. His 2 caps so far have been as a substitute, but will
likely warrant a starting assignment in the future.
5.
Name: Daniel Gabbidon
Current Club: West Bromwich Albion (Eng)
Date of Birth: 08/08/1979
Position: Defender
Previous Clubs: None
Honours: Youth, and U-21 intl.
Comments:
Although not quite what may be regarded as a fixture in the West Brom side,
Daniel has made plenty of appearances so far this season and must be viewed
as an important part of their squad. Another making steady progress and
assuming this continues, he may soon be adding his defensive qualities to a
Welsh squad lacking strength in depth in this department.
6.
Name: Leyton Maxwell
Current Club: Liverpool (Eng)
Date of Birth: 03/10/1979
Position: Midfielder
Previous Clubs: ?
Honours: Schoolboy, Youth, and U-21 intl.
Comments:
Leyton has been a regular member of the Liverpool reserve team over the past
two seasons. Although to date he has only made one senior appearance for
them, he is highly regarded at the club. In time we look forward to seeing
him move on to the next level of competition, with expectations of success.
7.
Name: Robert Folland
Current Club: Oxford United (Eng)
Date of Birth: 16/09/1979
Position: Forward
Previous Clubs: ?
Honours: Youth intl.
Comments:
This season Rob has made the right wing-back position at Oxford his, becoming
a regular in the side, having made very few appearances previously. It is
anticipated that this will bring recognition at U-21 level quite soon and, as
with all Welsh players, wish him the good fortune to progress to even greater
heights.
8.
Name: Darren Moss
Current Club: Chester City (Eng)
Date of Birth: 24/05/1981
Position: Midfielder
Previous Clubs: ?
Honours: Youth intl.
Comments:
After a few appearances in the latter part of the 98-99 season, Darren has
become a regular member of the Chester side this season. As an 18 year-old, I
believe it this a very good achievement, particularly as the team is
struggling to avoid relegation. Along with a change in fortune for Chester ( I
have a high regard for the city ), it is hoped that Darren can continue to
progress up the ladder of football success, as indications thus far seems to
suggest.
9.
Name: Steven Roberts
Current Club: Wrexham (Eng)
Date of Birth: 24/02/1980
Position: Defender
Previous Clubs: ?
Honours: Schoolboy, and Youth intl.
Comments:
It looks as though Brian Flynn will rely on Steven's talents to anchor the
Wrexham defence as they look to improving their fortunes in the future. His
displays thus far suggest that this is a wise choice and as one anticipates a
continuation of progress with experience, U-21 and maybe even higher honours
will soon follow. Could Welsh fans be in a future position of being spoilt
for choice with regard to defenders who warrant inclusion in the senior squad?
10.
Name: Ryan Green
Current Club: Wolverhampton Wanderers (Eng)
Date of Birth: 20/10/1980
Position: Defender
Previous Clubs: ?
Honours: Schoolboy, Youth, and U-21 intl., 2 full caps
Comments:
Ryan's rise to prominence, the glittering praise of his skills, and quick
elevation, culminating in becoming the youngest player capped for Wales,
seems to have possibly been a heavy cross to bear. One supposed that a
regular selection for the Wolves team was a forgone conclusion. As yet only a
few appearances over the past two seasons leaves those of us without first
hand knowledge, wondering why. Hopefully this is only a hiccup, as he is
another who can be of immense importance for Wales, should Bobby Gould's
prophesies be realised.
11.
Name: Stuart Roberts
Current Club: Swansea City (Eng)
Date of Birth: 22/07/1980
Position: Midfielder
Previous Clubs: None
Honours: U-21 intl.
Comments:
Stuart made a big impact when he broke into the Swansea line-up at the start
of the 98-99 season. He was certainly monitored by some Premier clubs and was
considered an exciting prospect. Injuries have however managed to hamper his
progress, by limiting his appearances significantly. A change of luck is
deserved, and this will likely send the scouts scurrying back to the Vetch field.
12.
Name: Daniel Williams
Current Club: Wrexham (Eng)
Date of Birth: 12/07/1979
Position: Midfielder
Previous Clubs: Liverpool (Eng)
Honours: U-21 intl.
Comments:
Danny progressed through the junior ranks at Liverpool, playing for the youth
and reserve teams. He was included in the Welsh youth squad but to my
knowledge did not make an appearance. A transfer to Wrexham late last season
has seen him secure a regular first team place, along with a positive report
of his displays in midfield. He has also appeared in a defensive capacity for
both Liverpool and the Wales U-21 side. A good utility player, and we watch
for further progress with interest.
13.
Name: Rhodri Jones
Current Club: Manchester United (Eng)
Date of Birth: 19/01/1982
Position: Defender
Previous Clubs: ?
Honours: Schoolboy, and Youth intl.
Comments:
Although the information I have to date is only at best a sketchy overview of
Rhodri's progress, he still warrants inclusion in this list. His performance
as a defensive stalwart in the Welsh schoolboy international team and his
progress through the U-16 and U-18 Welsh teams are points to be noted. Along
with this, is that he has been mentioned as one to watch for the future both
at club and national levels.
14.
Name: Lee Kendall
Current Club: Crystal Palace (Eng)
Date of Birth: ??/??/????
Position: Goalkeeper
Previous Clubs: None
Honours: Schoolboy, Youth intl.
Comments:
Son of a Welsh U-21 goalkeeper, Lee's reputation at schoolboy and youth level
suggests that the generally high quality of Welsh international goalkeepers
post-war will be maintained into the future. He completes his eligibility for
the youth level at the end of this season, and we look forward to his
progression to senior club level and subsequent success.
15 - 20.
The remaining placings between 15 and 20 is a part of this article that I
would prefer to use as a location for honourable mention of a number of
players that I believe can lay claim to be included in the top 20 list,
possibly even at the expense of one or two of those individually mentioned.
My reasoning for this is primarily that a great deal of the information
available about young players relates to potential rather than a factual
compilation. I have actively collected such information on a consistent basis
for over twenty years, added to a more than casual interest for many years
prior to that. The players are, Lee Jenkins, Leon Jeanne, Danny Slatter, Ian
Hillier, Eifion Jones, Andrew Martin, Matthew Tipton, Chris Holloway, Robert
Earnshaw, and Jamie Atwell. They have been judged on a criteria of making a
considerable number of appearances in the reserve teams of Premier clubs, or
at least a reasonable number of appearances for Football league teams. Other
players came into consideration, but I had only so little information
available in these cases, I could not further stretch my educated guessing.
My apologies to any player aggrieved at his omission, I have no qualms in
saying that anyone who proves me incorrect will do nothing but delight me, as
it will be to Wales' benefit. As is true for all supporters, I wish every
Welsh player a long, successful, injury free career, encouraging them to work
as hard as possible to become the best that they can be. With reference to
the above observations, and in view of some pleasing comments I have seen
about players still qualified for the Welsh youth teams, I believe there is
room for optimism for the future. I must admit to being an eternal optimist
on the subject, have definately been fooled quite often when trying to
forecast the progress of young players, but still feel somewhat confident of
the above opinion.
I'm sure you will join me in congratulating Steven for creating and
maintaining an exellent site, hoping this article has also been enjoyable. I
beg your indulgence by closing with an acknowledgement to the help I have
received over the past few years from Ceri Stennett who provided me with much
information about the Welsh youth football teams. I also would like to
mention Michael Rhys Williams and Michael Alan Hailwood, not only for their
great friendship, but for the cameraderie as fellow football fanatics, always
in search of football facts, further fueling my interest in the subject.
John Lloyd Jones
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