Mark Pitman

Port Talbot

Senior Reporter at Football Association of Wales

Freelance football writer. Reporter @FAWales @Cymru and @UEFA. Columnist @skworldfootball. Featured @WorldSoccerMag @kicker. Also @UEFAcomMPitman. Views own.

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Articles

How Cymru v Belgium defined a generation

3 weeks ago | faw.cymru | Mark Pitman

Cymru will renew their rivalry with Belgium at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Monday 9 June, a decade on from a famous night in Cardiff when Gareth Bale made us all believe. Between September 2012 and September 2022, Cymru and Belgium played nine competitive games against each other. The fixture became a regular part of the international calendar for both nations as they went head-to-head in two World Cup qualifying campaigns, EURO qualifying and the Nations League.
Ronan Kpakio has 'ridiculously high' potential

1 month ago | faw.cymru | Mark Pitman

Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy believes teenager Ronan Kpakio has ‘ridiculously high’ potential and explained his responsibility for developing the next generation has he announced his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. “I’ve kept an eye on him and his progression has been outstanding,” explained Bellamy when asked about the Cardiff City defender. “I think his potential could be ridiculously high. He’s very athletic, very intelligent.
Craig Bellamy on Kpakio potential and return of key duo

1 month ago | faw.cymru | Mark Pitman

Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy believes teenager Ronan Kpakio has ‘ridiculously high’ potential and explained his responsibility for developing the next generation has he announced his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. “I’ve kept an eye on him and his progression has been outstanding,” explained Bellamy when asked about the Cardiff City defender. “I think his potential could be ridiculously high. He’s very athletic, very intelligent.
Craig Bellamy on Cymru World Cup preparations

1 month ago | faw.cymru | Mark Pitman

Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy has emphasised the importance of the recent training camp in Spain as he prepares his squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Belgium next month. “It’s been good and it’s really important,” explained Bellamy to FAW.cymru from the team base. “For the players in the EFL, the international window in June is not designed for them. It could be a full month off and then to come into these internationals, it’s impossible.
Leeds United star eyes World Cup after EFL Championship title win

1 month ago | faw.cymru | Mark Pitman

Cymru goalkeeper Karl Darlow has spoken about his ‘dream’ of playing at the World Cup and with it emulating the achievements of his grandfather, Ken Leek, who was a member of the Cymru squad at the 1958 tournament in Sweden. “It would mean everything,” Darlow explained to FAW.cymru this week from the training camp in Spain. “As a player it’s a dream to go to the World Cup.
Cliff Jones a Cymru inspiration for Spurs in Europe

1 month ago | faw.cymru | Mark Pitman

Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson can look to Cliff Jones for inspiration in the UEFA Europa League Final this evening as the Cymru legend wore the shirt of Tottenham Hotspur when he became the first Welshman to win a European trophy back in 1963.
Rhian Wilkinson on Sophie Ingle and decisive Nations League fixtures

1 month ago | faw.cymru | Mark Pitman

Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke to the media on Tuesday and provided an update on the fitness of Sophie Ingle as the midfielder continues her recovery from an ACL injury with the squad announcement for EURO 2025 just a month away. “I haven’t seen her so I’d just have to say 50/50 because she is ahead of schedule, but what is the schedule?” explained Wilkinson when asked about the chance of Ingle making the finals.
Leading Cymru at EURO 2025 will be the 'greatest honour'

1 month ago | faw.cymru | Mark Pitman

Leading Cymru at EURO 2025 will be one of the “greatest honours” for head coach Rhian Wilkinson as she highlights the exceptional work of those who came before her in laying the foundations for the success of her team. Speaking from UEFA Headquarters in Switzerland recently, Wilkinson praised the role of her predecessors in initiating the process that has enabled this squad of players to make history by qualifying for the finals of a major women’s tournament for the first time.
Joe Allen retires from professional football

1 month ago | faw.cymru | Mark Pitman

Cymru and Swansea City midfielder Joe Allen has announced his retirement from professional football after making 77 international appearances for his country and featuring at three major tournaments. Allen ends his professional playing career where it all began for him at Swansea City.
The New Saints out to avenge last year's JD Welsh Cup final defeat

1 month ago | faw.cymru | Mark Pitman

The New Saints have the opportunity to complete an incredible season with the domestic treble on Sunday when they take on Connah’s Quay Nomads in the JD Welsh Cup Final at Rodney Parade (KO 16:00). For Head Coach Craig Harrison, victory would not only earn him his 20th trophy with The New Saints, but cement the status of his current squad as the best in the history of the domestic game in Wales.