Wales’ record-breaker Jess Fishlock has been inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame as she prepares to bring the curtain down on her landmark career.
Fishlock, 39, is set to retire from club football at the end of the season having already stepped away from the international game with more appearances and goals than any other Welsh player.
She was hailed as the country’s “best ever footballer”, as she was honoured alongside Chris Coleman, the manager who oversaw Wales’ historic run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
At a gala event in Cardiff, inductions also included former Swansea City forward Alan Curtis and ex-Burnley winger and Wales Under-21 manager Brian Flynn, as well as the late trio of goalkeeper Dai Davies, winger Leighton James and former Liverpool and Wrexham full-back Joey Jones as members of the 1976 national side that reached the last-eight of the European Championships.
Jones’ award was collected by his great friend, a visibly emotional Mickey Thomas, who was himself honoured for a 51-cap career that also saw him represent Manchester United, Chelsea and Wrexham.
In front of former inductees including Wales rugby great Sir Gareth Edwards, the focus on football was fitting in the 150th anniversary year of the Football Association of Wales.