All-Time XI: Lee Kendall names reputable side with a number of Cymru Premier stalwarts
Welsh domestic football hero Lee Kendall has chosen the best eleven players he has played within his Cymru Premier career.
The goalkeeper who began his career with Crystal Palace before a loan move to Barry has played for a host of clubs in Wales.
Most notably at Haverfordwest where he made over 130 appearances and represented them in Europe.
His crowning glory however was at Rhyl where he played in the Champions League, winning the Cymru Premier Title.
In his side, there are a number of players from his time at Barry, Neath, Port Talbot, Rhyl and Prestatyn.
The recently appointed Taffs Well boss was speaking to Jordan Jones as part of a new podcast launched by Y Clwb Pêl-Droed which will be speaking to a variety of people who will discuss their contribution to football in Wales.
Embed from Getty ImagesGK: Mark Ovendale
In goals is former Barry Town United goalkeeper Mark Ovendale.
Ovendale played for three years at Jenner Park after joining from Northampton Town in 1995.
His performances for Barry saw him earn a £30,000 move to AFC Bournemouth in 1998.
He would spend the majority of his career in England, playing for Luton, York and Tiverton Town.
Tragically Mark passed away following a battle with cancer in 2011. In honorarium, Barry put him into their Hall of Fame.
RB: Deryn Brace
A former Football League defender with Wrexham, West Walian man Deryn Brace makes Kendall’s defence in the role as right-back.
After spells with Llanelli and Carmarthen Town, Brace played one season at Haverfordwest before taking up the reigns as player-manager at just 27.
It was one of their most successful periods, leading them to a UEFA Cup spot in his second season in management.
Commenting on his inclusion, Lee said: “I respected him hugely for how he looked after himself.
“To go and play as many games as he did for Wrexham in the league and then drop down to Haverfordwest was phenomenal.”
Embed from Getty ImagesCB: George Horan (C)
George Horan was a player who earned high praise from his former teammate who handed him the captains armband.
Recently crowned a champion of the Cymru Premier with Connah’s Quay, Horan is a two-time Cymru Premier winner.
He’s also won the Welsh Cup and the Nathaniel MG Cup during his time at Connah’s Quay.
Kendall isn’t the only admirer of Horan, he was nominated in Chester’s Hall of Fame.
3-3!
— ⚽ Sgorio (@sgorio) February 25, 2018
LEE SURMAN!
Surman yn achub pwynt i’r Hen Aur! Surman with a 94th minute equaliser for @CarmarthenAFC. pic.twitter.com/ppNpXIkaUO
CB: Lee Surman
With over a decade of experience in the league, Lee Surman is included in Kendall’s XI.
As a centre-defender for Aberystwyth Town, Llanelli, Port Talbot Town and now Carmarthen Town, Surman has been a reliable defender for all of his clubs.
During his time at Port Talbot, Surman was someone Kendall could entrust as part of a strong defence.
He has made 448 appearances in the Cymru Premier and has chipped in with a fair few goals.
Embed from Getty ImagesLB: Scott Barrow
As a young left-back, Scott Barrow was a player who played behind his years.
A key highlight during his Welsh domestic career was being named in the Team of the Year in 2010.
Impressing Kendall as a 19-year-old during their time at Port Talbot, Barrow fought off tough competition.
He played four years for the Steelmen before earning a month to the English non-league scene with Tamworth and later Macclesfield Town.
Barrow later moved to Newport County – a League Two side at the time – playing 34 times in their 2015/16 campaign.
He was released from the Ambers in 2016 and played a season at Merthyr Town before playing for Gateshead for three years.
The 31-year-old is now a free agent after leaving the National League side.
“I played with Scott Barrow, he was very hungry when he was young and managed to forge a career for himself,” said Kendall as he made his choice in defence.
Embed from Getty ImagesRM: Craig Jones
A teammate of Kendall’s at Rhyl, the versatile Craig Jones is positioned on the right wing.
Building a name for himself at Airbus and Aber, it was Rhyl where he really burst onto the scene.
Winning the title with them and representing the Lilywhites in Europe, Jones was seen as a reliable player during those days.
A three-year spell at The New Saints followed where he had numerous success before moving to English third tier side Bury.
The 33-year-old would later go on to captain the Shakers, spending six years of his career at Gigg Lane.
He called time on his playing career last summer after a brief spell with the Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Explaining his rationale behind his inclusion, Kends said: “You can see why he went on to play in the Football League,
“He was electric, he was a player who excited me every time he got on the ball. He could run at full-backs, cross the ball and deliver.
“He found his feet at Rhyl, captained Bury and did ever so well.
Embed from Getty ImagesCM: Gareth Owen
Former Wrexham midfielder Gareth Owen joins former teammate Gareth Wilson in the centre of midfield.
Owen played in the Cymru Premier for eight years, featuring for Airbus UK, Connah’s Quay and Rhyl.
Before his time in the Welsh top flight, however, he was a Wrexham legend, who was rewarded with a testimonial.
Spending twelve years as a professional for the Dragons, he made over 290 appearances and experienced Welsh Cup joy in 1995 as the last non-domestic side to win the competition.
“He was absolutely fantastic. He was a Wrexham stalwart who had so much technical ability,” said Kendall.
“He was unreal in how he controlled the game and was fantastic.
⚽️ Final central midfield position goes to Gareth Wilson, well done Gaz, Monday we will begin to find our 2 striker of the last 20 years #whowouldyouchoose #sunnyrhyl #442 @FansRhyl pic.twitter.com/4oUWPEMplL
— CPD Y Rhyl 1879 official (@rhylfc) May 30, 2020
CM: Gareth Wilson
Former Prestatyn and Rhyl boss Gareth Wilson makes his way into the midfield.
With over 100 appearances in the Welsh top flight, Wilson was another teammate of Rhyl’s title winning side.
A Rhyl academy product, Wilson was a reliable player for the Denbighshire club.
Commenting on his longevity to the Lilywhites, Kendall explained his reasoning in including Wilson: “I’m gonna go for Mr Steady Eddy, someone who I’ve known who I respect so much in the game and is a really close friend of mine is Gareth Wilson.
“You don’t spend ten one years at one football club and not be a good player.”
LM: Darren Ryan
Oswestry born Ryan is included in the squad after playing at Barry with Kendall.
Ryan had forged a career in the English lower leagues with spells at Chester, Rochdale, Stockport and Shrewsbury.
It was his time in Wales however that he had his most success.
Playing 70 times for the Linnetts, Ryan scored 28 goals from the left and had league joy with the Glamorgan club.
He moved on and played for TNS, Carmarthen and Haverfordwest.
His last spell in the Cymru Premier as a player would be Newtown where he’d become manager. Ryan would late manage Airbus for a brief spell.
The 47-year-old now works as a youth coach at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“He’s probably the one player who hasn’t got as much credit in the league and probably went a little unnoticed,” stressed Kendall.
“He was excellent, he could win games of football.”
Embed from Getty ImagesST: Rhys Griffiths
One of the most famous names in the Cymru Premier, recognised for his goalscoring exploits, Rhys Griffiths was named in Kendall’s XI.
Griffiths forged a career in the league scoring goals for a host of clubs, earning the Golden Boot award a record seven times.
After years of service as a player, Griffiths now manages in the Cymru Premier as the boss of Penybont.
Penblwydd hapus @martinrose09, sy’n dathlu ei benblwydd heddiw yn 9 oed! #Blwyddynnaid
— ⚽ Sgorio (@sgorio) February 29, 2020
Happy birthday Martin Rose, who celebrates his 9th birthday today! #LeapYear pic.twitter.com/L9zSxY6TBg
ST: Martin Rose
Topping off Kendall’s side is Portsmouth born forward Martin Rose.
Known as a cult-hero at the Steelmen, Rose was a reliable source of goals for Port Talbot.
He did spend a brief time away from Victoria Road, joining Llanelli Town in 2012 but returned to Port Talbot where he wound down his career.
The 36-year-old is one of a select number of players to score more than 100 goals in the league.
“At Port Talbot, he was an absolute legend. He was a humble guy, he came from junior football in Cardiff,” said Kendall.
“He had so much strength and didn’t really understand that he did have it. When he was firing for Port Talbot, he was unstoppable.”
(Featured Image: Rhys Skinner)
Really good read and pretty decent team.
Only thing I’d disagree with is given Lee played with Neil robets for the championship winning season he’s a far better player than either Rose or Griffiths much as both had really good Wpl careers