About 20% of the population in Wales speak the Welsh language. I was curious if any well-known Welsh players were fluent in the language. There's not a lot of info on the subject but I managed to dig up a few clips and players that speak the language.
Aaron Ramsey (Cardiff City, on loan from Arsenal)
John Hartson (Former Arsenal, West Ham, Celtic, and others)
David Vaughan (Blackpool)
Rhys Griffiths (Llanelli - Welsh Premier League)
Nathan Craig (Everton)
Joe Allen (Swansea City)
(link)
Other players who are allegedly Welsh speakers (but I couldn't find any video evidence):
Gabriel Heinze, Wayne Hennessey, Owain Tudur Jones, Gabriel Batistuta, Malcolm Allen
If you're an expert on the subject feel free to help out on this one, I'm sure there are a few more Welsh speaking players out there that I missed.
Owain Tudur-Jones has an awesome name. I use his commentary name for my player on Fifa.
ReplyDeleteGabriel Heinze? Gabriel Batistuta?
ReplyDelete100% Argentinian both, why whould they speak welsh?
Nacho
I believe Heinze is from Patagonia (southern Argentina) where there's a welsh settlement since mid 19th century and they still speak welsh there. As per Batistuta, he's not from anywhere near that area and apparently the fact that he can speak welsh is just a rumor.
DeleteI didn't know this before doing this post, but apparently there is a Welsh speaking community in Argentina called Y Wladfa. WikiPage about Y Wladfa
ReplyDeleteI don't necessarily believe that Heinze or Batistuta speak the language but I saw their names mentioned in multiple forums and websites on the subject so I included their names.
Fascinating article you posted there. Had no idea about the Welsh community in Argentina. Thanks for posting that.
ReplyDeleteAnd a few others from the recent past: Dai Davies, Wyn Davies, Wayne Phillips, Ernie & Tom Walley.
ReplyDeleteBen Davies (Swansea City) is fluent Welsh -speaker.
DeleteBen Davies (Swansea City) is a fluent Welsh-speaker.
DeleteBen Davies (Swansea City)
ReplyDeleteBen Davies (Swansea City) is fluent in Welsh.
ReplyDeleteBen Davies(Swansea City) is fluent in Welsh.
ReplyDeleteBen Davies (Swansea City)
ReplyDeleteMark Aiselwood ex Leeds Bradford Cardiff now manager of Carmarthen Town.Self taught but fluent.Gives interviews on S4C.
ReplyDeleteLes Tibbott ex Ipswich Town I believe speaks Welsh.
ReplyDeleteRay Mielczarek ex Rotherham.One cap for Wales.From Caernarfon,so would be a Welsh speaker most probably.
ReplyDeleteNat Jarvis Cardiff City.Fluent in Welsh--ex pupil of Ysgol Plasmawr.On loan to Newport played in FA Trophy final.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that Wayne Henessy is fluent in Welsh.He is from Beaumaris on Anglesey where many understand Welsh but few speak it.I've never heard him give an interview in Welsh
ReplyDeleteGabriel Heinze does not speak Welsh.It is an urban myth.He is from Patagonia,but it is a vast area and the Welsh only colonised one part - the Chubut Valley.Heinze is.I believe from Rivo Commodoro where they do not speak Welsh.There are only about 2000 Welsh speakers so the chances of a top player emerging is remote.Nice idea though!
ReplyDeleteYou mention Rhys Griffiths Llanelli.His team mate Craig Moses is a fluent Welsh-speaker.
ReplyDeleteMarc Lloyd-Williams ex-Stockport,Southport and York is a fluent Welsh-speaker.
ReplyDeleteJoe Allen- Liverpool player is a fluent Welsh speaker.
ReplyDeleteIf you want evidence of Malcolm Allen speaking Welsh, watch the video of John Hartson again; it's Malcolm Allen who's interviewing him.
ReplyDeleteBen davies had a programme about him on s4c where he talked fluent welsh
ReplyDeleteMalcolm Allen definitely speaks Welsh. I'm from North West Wales like him, and I hung out with him every day while I was on trial at Newcastle as an eighteen year old, and we spoke Welsh solely together.
ReplyDelete