Go Gareth!

Here at the Oakeley Arms Hotel in Blaenau Ffestiniog, you probably already know that we’re super proud to live and work in the beautiful country of Wales, and one of the great things we’re going to celebrate about our fabulous country today is the amazing number of sporting legends that have hailed from Wales. And not least, the man of the moment, footballer Gareth Bale (gosh, that rhymes neatly – it’s almost poetry!!).

It was announced at the weekend that Welsh born footballer Bale has been signed for the biggest (and richest) football club in the world, Real Madrid. The £85 million transfer has thrown Gareth into the record books. It made him the most expensive footballer in history (a record previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo when Real Madrid paid £80 million for him in 2009).

By Allison Pasciuto on wikicommons

24 year old Bale will begin his 6 year contract at Real Madrid this month. A grand welcoming ceremony took place yesterday. The 24 year old, who is widely recognised as one of the best British talents, was born in Cardiff. His tale is one that many young footballers could only dream of. He began his career at Southampton and in 2007 transferred to London club Tottenham Hotspur where he flourished. He also plays for the Welsh International team.

This month, Gareth Bale makes history, and puts Wales firmly on the footballing map This record-breaking young man has got us to thinking about all the other sporting legends that our brilliant country has produced. Here are our favourites:

• Ryan Giggs – one of Manchester United’s longest serving players, this Cardiff born footballer is world famous
• Colin Jackson – the charismatic world champion athlete
• Jonathan Davies – one of Wales’ finest rugby stars, he’s now a sporting personality and rugby pundit
• Ian Woosnam – this world champion golfer was born in Oswestry
• Ian Rush – a footballing legend from St Asaph on the north Wales coast
• Terry Griffiths – a snooker world champion in 1979, Terry gave up his career as a postman to become a professional snooker player.
• Mark Hughes – footballer and now Premier League manager, Mark was born in Ruabon near Wrexham
• John Toshack – a player turned manager, this Cardiff born Welshman won Sports Personality of the Year in 1981
• Tanni-Grey Thompson – one of the UK’s best known para-olympians
• Don Shepherd – one of Wales’ great bowlers, he played for Glamorgan Cricket Club for over 20 years.

Who have we missed? Who are your Welsh Sporting heroes? There are LOADS more to choose from! One thing’s for sure – Wales isn’t short of remarkable sporting legends. There must be something in the fresh, country air….