As Gwalia United commemorates its 50th anniversary, it’s fitting to honour its past players and members. Founded in 1975 as Llanedeyrn L.F.C., the club has undergone several transformations, adopting the name Gwalia United in 2024 to reflect its Welsh heritage.
This Week’s Feature Player: Gwennan Harries
Gwennan Harries’s career spanned several notable clubs and saw her represent Wales at multiple levels. From her debut with Cardiff City Ladies (now Gwalia United) to her time with Everton Ladies, Harries played a pivotal role in women’s football in Wales and beyond. Her dedication to the sport, her international career, and her work off the pitch have made her a significant figure in Welsh football.
Her debut for Cardiff City Ladies came in October 2002 against Newton Abbot, and she quickly proved her worth by scoring an impressive 15 goals in her debut season. Her early success with Cardiff City set the stage for a career that would see her play at some of the highest levels in women’s football. In July 2009, she signed with Everton Ladies, a move that would help her further establish herself in the top tier of English women’s football. While at Everton, Harries earned an FA Women’s Cup winner’s medal in 2010. After her time at Everton, she went to Bristol Academy in February 2013, where she continued her career until injury forced her to step away from the game.
On the international stage, Harries was a key player for the Wales national team, especially at youth levels. She earned 21 caps for the Wales Under-19 team, scoring nine goals. Her performances at youth level paved the way for her senior debut during the 2005–06 season in a match against Moldova. In addition to her senior international appearances, Harries also represented Great Britain in the World University Games, playing in the 2007 tournament in Bangkok and the 2009 tournament in Belgrade. She was also part of the Welsh squad during the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification campaign, where she contributed to Wales’ victories, including scoring in a game against Azerbaijan. Gwennan’s football career was unfortunately cut short due to a knee injury she sustained in November 2012 before a friendly match against the Netherlands. The injury plagued her for the next few years, leading to a long struggle to regain her fitness. Despite her best efforts, the injury ultimately forced her to retire from playing professionally.
In February 2011, she was appointed as an ambassador for female football by the Welsh FA, using her platform to inspire and advocate for more opportunities for women in the sport. She is now a physical education teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Glantâf , and in addition to her teaching career, Gwennan also became the first female pundit on S4C’s Sgorio, further cementing her influence in Welsh football beyond the pitch.
