Latest news with #BBCSportWales
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'A very encouraging start' for County
Newport County have made an unbeaten start to the season under new head coach David Hughes. BBC Sport Wales asked fans for their views after their first three "Early days. Starting well but dare I say it, we always seem to implode after Christmas. Signs are good so let's keep it going."Peter: "Very encouraging start. After the disastrous end to last season, the new manager has galvanised the team. Good new signings excellent teamwork. Port are back!"Mark: "Much better organised than last season. They look hard to beat are taking their chances and there is effort there for 90 mins."Alan: The opening 3 games have given me optimism and certainly an improvement on last season which is not saying much. New signings have made a difference and the new managerial set up seems to have some tactical know how but it is still early days. We are promised more signings so hopefully we will get an experienced striker and midfielder which we desperately need. Encouraging signs so far."Jamie: "Decent start. Better coach as well. Do not think the season will end so abruptly as the last two. I can see a play off spot at best but mid-table is more realistic."Andrea: "Really positive start. I'm really encouraged by the energy and attitude of the management and players."
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Wrexham are doing the town proud'
With Wrexham back at Championship level for the first time since 1982, BBC Sport Wales asked fans for their views after the opening day defeat at "One game in and new signings made a positive impact. Too early for predictions as it will take time for the team to gel. We will have a better idea at the end of August. Overall feeling positive for the season."Karl: "Promising start in what is going to be a real competitive environment. The more games under our belt, the more comfortable the team will be in how to react to what is in front of them."Rich: "Wrexham are doing the town proud. [Conor] Coady was super at the back and [Liberato] Cacace looks top drawer. Will it be tough? Of course it will and we are not under any illusions otherwise. Bring it on, this is one heck of an adventure."Sandra: "A really good start to the season by Wrexham and I think that things will get better. Getting up to speed with the Championship will take time but with a difficult game against a relegated club first off was always going to be hard. Got to say though, I think that the Moore signing is always going to be difficult to justify. At the end of the day Wrexham I think will be safe. Go on you new welsh HEROES."Jane: "I thought Wrexham overall played well considering this is a new team. Pace was good and a keeness to win which wasn't always there before. Passing was good but Wrexham need to be more assertive and confident. The support was fantastic."Mark: "Excellent display against a top side for this Division. Saints have a large squad of top Championship players and with depth in all positions. We started with 6 new players and it was tribute to the staff at the club that they played so well together. Wrexham will be fine this season and we will strengthen further before the end of the window."
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
From retirement fears to Euro joy for Wales' Morgan
She has started both matches for Wales at Euro 2025, but just months ago defender Esther Morgan thought she was going to have to 22-year-old has been beset by injuries for the past three years, initially suffering a serious quad injury while training with Wales in Spain in March 2022, with her torn thigh muscle requiring a case of it does not rain it pours, Morgan's comeback after almost a year on the sidelines was curtailed as she ruptured three ankle ligaments, requiring two different surgeries and another year out Morgan made her Wales return in the Nations League against Sweden she was playing her first international match in 639 days, with the Sheffield United defender admitting she seriously considered the prospect of retirement."Six months ago, if you'd asked me if I was going to be here, I'd probably say no," she told BBC Sport Wales."I'd probably say at the end of the season, I'm going to just probably give it up." 'I've had a rough journey in football' A popular member of the Wales squad, Morgan has completed her recovery in some style at Wales' first major tournament, Euro 2025, starting both of Wales' group D games against the Netherlands and says she was always motivated by the prospect of returning in Switzerland during her lengthy rehabilitation, but admits she felt it was more of a pipe dream than an obtainable goal."Being here has been amazing, to be fair," she said."I think I'm really grateful to have even made it on the plane. There was a long time that it was just something that I was trying to focus on in my rehab. I think it's nice to have that end goal and I'm really grateful for the girls, firstly, for getting here and qualifying, because I wasn't able to be a part of that journey."I think I'd be lying if I said that I thought I was going to get back to playing and let alone playing for my country. I think it has put everything into perspective for me."Morgan says her Wales team-mates have been a big source of inspiration as she has trodden the lonely path of recovering from two serious injuries."I think I've had a rough journey through football so far," she said. "I'm grateful it's my journey and it's something that no one can take away from me."I think having two major injuries, I'm only 22, I've been out for the best part of two years of my career and it's a hard thing to go through."It's hard to watch your teammates and your friends doing so well for club, for country. At times you do think, where am I going with this? "But at the same time, it's these people that you look up to and it's people like Sophie Ingle or Jess Fishlock who have come back from serious injuries, you have to rely on their experiences."It's just framed the whole thing for me that I'm so lucky to have the job that I do and I'm so grateful to be able to run, kick a ball and be with this amazing group of people, it's really changed me, but I think changed me for the better." Being at Euro 2025 'a full circle moment' Having made her recovery and returned to playing, Morgan admits she has been surprised and delighted to have started both of Wales' matches in Switzerland."I think the injuries have really just made me thankful to be here and just be present and enjoy every moment, because I'm healthy, I'm able to play and just go out and enjoy, really," she said."I'm really grateful to (manager) Rhian Wilkinson for putting her trust in me. I think we all want to be playing in these games. I'm grateful to be one of the girls stepping on the pitch and starting these games, but it comes down to a whole squad and how can we work together to bring out the best in each other."I didn't even know if I was going to be able to be here. So to hear that I was starting in the first game was just like, wow, I think it took me a minute to kind of process all the emotions."I think it was a mixture of pride, a mixture of pressure, but in the best way possible. And I think for me, it's nice to kind of have a full circle moment with all my family and everyone that supported me."Morgan says her family have found the emotion of seeing her performing at Euro 2025 too much to take."My parents came to the France game and my mum and dad were saying that they were crying the whole time," she added."They went out for a meal and they were both just sat there in floods of tears."
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales 'ready for their moment' as they eye Euro 2025 shock
Wales captain Angharad James says her side are embracing their role as Euro 2025 underdogs and are "ready for their moment," as they bid to shock the tournament and upset the form give Wales, who are the lowest ranked side in Switzerland, just a 9% chance of qualifying from their group and a 0% chance of lifting the trophy ahead of their Euro 2025 opener against Netherlands in having qualified for a first major finals and with one of the largest fanbases present at the tournament, James says Wales are ready to produce a shock."Write us off. We're fine with it. We have the belief within this group. We've had the preparation that we've needed this past last six or nine months," James said."We haven't won a game in a while and I can see why maybe people and teams from the outside will write us off. But I invite them to write us off because they won't know what's coming because we are ready for this moment."Wales have been in Switzerland for almost a week, staying in the east of the country in Weidenfeld, around 20 minutes from the German says it will be one of the proudest moments of her life to lead out her side in front of the Red Wall of Wales supporters. "I think for me personally it's been a very long journey and for most of the group too. It's been something that we've always strived to achieve and we've always come short but not anymore," she told BBC Sport Wales."We're here. We've worked so hard over the years and to give that moment to a lot of these players is truly special. "To see the Welsh flag and to see Wales being on the biggest stage of all is truly something that I didn't know if I'd be able to experience personally. And to be here today is an honour and the group is just really excited to get out is our moment now and it's a moment for our group to really go out there, deliver what we've prepared all week. "It's a moment that we have all dreamt of, that we've all worked so hard towards. And I don't want players and staff and people who are watching to miss that moment because it truly does mean the world to me and it means the world to the whole group." Contrasting mood in camps Wales' players have been in fine spirits all week ahead of their major tournament debut and are seemingly all focused on seizing their the Netherlands camp seems a less content place with coach Andries Jonker – who is leaving his role after the tournament - going on a podcast before the match against Wales and discussing his surprise and disappointment at the decision to end his a fiery pre-match press conference, Jonker was accused by a Dutch journalist of "treating the players like puppets in a puppet show," while experienced midfielder Sherida Spitse intimated that she did not agree with her coaches decision to talk about his impending says she is excited about leading Wales out for the first time at a major tournament."I think, from my end, I can't wait for the bus to arrive, to watch these women walk out onto the field and make history," she said."This team is ready. They're fit, they're excited. Opening day nerves are normal and excitement is normal. And this team is handling it like seasoned professionals."They understand that this is a moment in Welsh history." Team news Wales have no injury concerns among their 23 player squad, with the utilisation of former captain Sophie Ingle likely to present Wilkinson with her biggest selection has declared herself fit to start in Lucerne, but having not played a competitive game in a over a year after anterior cruciate ligament surgery (ACL), her inclusion from the start would be a surprise."I think not playing any 90 minutes to go in 90 minutes would be a challenge, but she's healthy and back fully with the squad. And that is for someone who had, obviously, an ACL," Wilkinson said."She's been so professional and so diligent and so focused to be here. And to have her healthy and available is a testament to the hard work that she's invested. I am really happy to have her back healthy."Wales must come up with a solution to replacing teenage defender Mayzee Davies in defence as she misses the tournament having undergone ACL Palace defender Josie Green could come into the side, while dropping Hayley Ladd back into defence is another option, with Wales expected to stick with three central boss Andries Jonker confirmed his side have doubts over two of their main attacking City forward Vivianne Miedema is fit, but having been severely hampered by injuries in the past two years, might not be risked from the start as she chases her 100th international goal (she is currently on 99).Wolfsburg forward Lineth Beerensteyn is also a doubt, having been unable to train since Netherlands arrived in revealed in his pre-match press conference that he is yet to tell his players the starting XI for their Euro opener, whereas Wilkinson says she told her players "a few days ago."
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Former Leeds and Swansea star Andy Robinson, 45, recovering in hospital after suffering heart attack
FORMER Leeds United and Swansea ace Andy Robinson has suffered a heart attack. Robinson, 45, is said to be recovering in a stable condition after the shock earlier today. A statement from Swansea's official X account confirmed the news. It read: "Swansea City is wishing the club's former player Andy Robinson a full and speedy recovery after suffering a heart attack earlier today. "Andy is currently in a stable condition in hospital. "We're all with you Robbo". While Leeds United showed their support for their former player in a post on X too. It read: "Now in a stable condition, everyone at #LUFC wishes former player Andy Robinson a speedy recovery, after he suffered a heart attack earlier today". Robinson became a fan favourite at both Leeds and Swansea and has continued his support of the Swans since leaving the club in 2008. The wide midfielder played over 231 games for the Welsh club and is now often reporting on their games as a BBC Sport Wales pundit. As well as representing Leeds and Swansea, Robinson played for Tranmere, Ammanford, Stockport and Shrewsbury, before retiring in 2021. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
