PICTURE by Bangor Uni Cymric FC

MANY on Anglesey and beyond will recognise Sion Emlyn Davies by now, both on and off the football field.

On it, he’s a centre back for Llangefni Town Reserves. Off it, he’s best known as one-half of the Arfordir clothing business who have been steadily building up a reputation for themselves over the last few years.

But what many might not know is that he has also been player-manager and captain of the Bangor Uni Cymric side in recent times too.

The team was set up to promote the Welsh language and all players who sign up to play must be able to speak it, and of course, be a student of the University.

Sponsored by Tafarn Y Glôb, the club bounced back from a year out of action due to Covid-19 in tremendous fashion, winning six of the eight games they’ve played since May.

Their results were as follows:

• Four Mile Bridge – 5-2 win
• Porthmadog Reserves – 2-1 win
• Llanfairpwll U19’s – 4-4 draw
• Llanystumdwy – 3-0 loss
• Porthmadog Reserves – won 3-2
• Penmaenmawr Phoenix – won 4-1
• Old Boys Cymric – won 3-2
• Llangoed Reserves – won 4-2

25 different players have played for Cymric during those eight matches, many of whom star for their respective clubs on a Saturday.

Among them are Bangor 1876’s Luke Steele, Waunfawr’s Aled Pritchard and Bontnewydd’s Cai Williams.

Bidding a fond farewell to his Cymric team-mates, Sion Emlyn, whose brother Owain has joined him at Llangefni Town Reserves this week, said: “I’m gutted that my last game with Cymric has been and gone. Having said that, I’m privileged to have been captain of this outstanding team of lads over the last year.

“I hope that local lads going off to Bangor University to study will play for this team. It’s been the best three years of my life. I have a lot of respect for those who had never played football before but came to play for us and learn the game through the medium of Welsh.”