The feeling of representing your country is a feeling that is unmatched, and anyone lucky enough to do it experiences a wave of emotion never felt before.
For Caernarfon Town’s Sion Bradley, it’s a moment he’s been waiting a long time for. Having been selected for last year’s Cymru C squad in Altrincham, Bradley was an unused substitute, and the disappointing feeling did linger for a little while.
“It was a little disappointing not to play last year, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. I spoke to Jonah on the phone, and maybe not playing last year has spurred me on this year to try and prove a point.”
This season, Bradley has been one of the form in the JD Cymru Premier, and he revealed last season’s game did spur him on to be even better, and he’s very much taken the mantle at The Oval.
“Jonah phoned me and said I was playing really well. He was asking what was behind me as sort of my motivation this year, and I said part of it was because he didn’t pick me last year!
“I do feel like I’ve grown as a player this season. We had a lot of players leave Caernarfon at the beginning of the season, and I’ve been at the club for about five or six years now. I’m one of the only ones who’s remained from that group of players who came up. So, I do feel like I’ve grown a lot and I’m really enjoying my football this year.”
Caernarfon have had an impressive season and currently sit fourth in the JD Cymru Premier, which has been reflected with three of their players being selected in Mark Jones’ squad.
One of them is Danny Gosset, who was included in Jones’ first squad back in 2018 and now returns as a survivor of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
“Gossy has been through a journey. He’s come back now, and he’s been playing really well for Caernarfon. He’s been one of our standout players this season. Danny has been really important for us at Caernarfon and he’s a leader in the dressing room, and I have no doubt he will be a leader for us here too.”
A man ten year’s Gossett’s junior is Gwion Dafydd, who has also been named in the squad. Dafydd is back on loan with the Cofis after making a move to TNS, and Bradley is confident the youngster can go a long way in his career.
“Gwion is definitely someone who has a lot of potential. He’s still only 19, but I’ve known him since he was 16 when he was at Caernarfon before going to play for TNS. He’s a great finisher and a good lad and it’s good to have him here.”
All three will be hoping to represent Caernarfon as well as Wales on Tuesday night, in a moment that will live long in the memory of all the players.
For Bradley, it will certainly feel like a full circle moment if he is to grace the Stebonheath Park pitch, but it’s a moment he is ready for.
“It’s a very special feeling to be a part of this squad. It’s a proud moment more than anything of being able to put that red shirt on and it fills everyone here with a lot of pride.
“Putting that shirt on this year would mean the world to me. It doesn’t matter what level you’re playing at; you always want to represent Wales. You want to be wearing the red shirt and step onto the pitch with a country behind you. It would be up there with one of the best things I’ve done in football.”
Buy tickets for Cymru C v England C by visiting faw.cymru/tickets
