JD Cymru Premier record appearance holder Chris Venables celebrates his 40th birthday today and is already preparing for what will be his 23rd consecutive season in the domestic top-flight.
“The morning after the game is probably the toughest part of it now,” he explained to FAW.cymru this week. “I thoroughly enjoy the training aspect, I’m committed to doing it and I feel good for doing it. With another season ahead it hasn’t really changed too much for me in terms of what I’m doing on the pitch, but you’ve got to put more focus on your recovery.
“At this stage of my career you’ve got to be careful that you don’t overexpose yourself as it would be unrealistic of me to think that I’m going to be able to play in every game. That’s something that me and the staff are very aware of, and we try and manage that as best we can so that they can get the best out of me without putting me under risk.”
Venables is one of the most recognisable and successful players in the history of the JD Cymru Premier, through a career that began as a teenager in 2003 when he signed for Caersws following his release from Shrewsbury Town.
Currently with Penybont, the striker has also represented Welshpool Town, Aberystwyth Town, Llanelli and Bala Town, collecting several personal and team trophies and accolades along the way.
“Each club that I’ve played for has led me to the next point in my career,” he explained. “I arrived at Caersws at 18, fresh out of full-time football, and that was my introduction to the league.
“My move to Llanelli was the first time where there was an expectation to win most games and compete at the top. I went from being a midfielder to a No. 10 at Aberystwyth and then a striker for Bala. I’m now going into my third season with Penybont and it’s probably the place that I’ve enjoyed it the most.”
Venables won the JD Welsh Cup with Llanelli in 2011 and then captained Bala Town to their one and only success in the competition in 2017. He also won the Nathaniel MG Cup with Bala in 2023.
Individually, Venables won the Golden Boot on five occasions between 2014 and 2021 in addition to multiple Player of the Year awards, whiled he has gained international recognition with two Cymru C caps. He is also a veteran of a dozen European campaigns, including one this summer with Penybont.
“I’ve enjoyed it first and foremost and there’s always people at the different clubs that I’ve wanted to play with as well,” he explained when asked about competing in the league for so long.
“I’ve always enjoyed my football, so I think why change it if you’re doing something that you enjoy? Halfway through my career I never thought I’d even win a Golden Boot, so that’s been a surprise and something I’m really proud of.”
It was in September 2023 that Venables set a new appearance record in the JD Cymru Premier and he marked that 537th match with the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win for Penybont against Barry Town United.
“That did mean a lot,” he added. “It puts your name amongst other people that I hold so highly. I’m a supporter of the league and it’s nice for me to have my name up there, and hopefully for quite a long time. I want to keep adding to it and I don’t know how long it will take for someone to beat it.”
Now heading towards 600 appearances in the league over the last 22 years, Venables has plenty of firsthand experience to comment on how the domestic top-flight has evolved during that time.
“There’s probably two things,” he said. “I think the biggest is the 3G pitches as that’s changed the style and the whole dynamic for me. That’s been a massive change, and it’s totally changed the football that’s played in the league.
“The second thing I think is probably the effort that goes on behind the scenes. The professionalism of the league; it’s far more professional now. There’s a lot more that goes on in terms of analysis, it’s got a lot more technical, but football has evolved, and the physicality has fallen away a lot. There’s a lot of stuff that I was probably quite good at that I can’t do anymore!”
Having spent more than half his life competing in the JD Cymru Premier, Venables still has the drive and ambition to achieve more success.
“I love doing it,” he explained. “I love being in the changing room first and foremost, I’m desperate for it not to end to be honest. I could probably drop down and play a lower level and still have the camaraderie and all that sort of thing, but if I can do it at the level that I’m at now and be competitive, add value to the team and the squad, then it’s something I really want to do.
“I love pre-season and I really enjoy that aspect of it. I enjoy pushing myself physically and I train with the same mentality and the same intensity, or I try to, that I did 10 years ago. I’m not holding back a bit because I’m getting older, I’m almost thinking I need to do more to maintain it. I’ve been told by several people that you’ll know when it’s the right time to stop. I haven’t felt that yet.”
