10 Greatest Welsh Wingers in Football History [Ranked
Through the years, Wales has been able to generate some very outstanding football players. Great midfielders like Alan Ramsey and Terry Yorath, as well as forwards like Ian Rush and Mark Hughes, are from Britain.All throughout the pitch, Wales has produced some of its greatest players in history, but its best players have come from the wings.
This list of the top ten Welsh wingers in football history includes Gareth Bale and Ryan Giggs, two of the best wide players in Premier League history who are also from Wales.
Ranking Factors:
- Total Ability: How talented was each football player?
- Accomplishments: Did their skill transfer into gold?
- Contribution to the National Team – Could they accomplish it wearing a Wales shirt?
10David Giles
Career Span: 1974-1988
David Giles is one of the few players who has represented all of Cardiff, Swansea, and Wrexham.
Before moving across the border to Crystal Palace, he finished the 1979–1980 season as Swansea’s top scorer. These were his best years there. Giles moved about a lot in England and Wales, and apart from when he began his career with Cardiff, he never stayed at any club for longer than two years.
Giles played for Birmingham, Newport, and Barry Town, where his hard ethic and ambition won him over the fans.
His reputation in the nation increased as he went on to have a prosperous career in the media, frequently reporting on Cardiff and the Welsh national team. He was never completely satisfied.
David Giles Wales Stats | |
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Appearances | 12 |
Goals | 2 |
9Craig Bellamy
Career Span: 1996-2014
Craig Bellamy is one of the most passionate men in sports management. He is a man who has a tattoo of Welsh hero Owain Glyndwr.
Bellamy had a tremendous career playing for teams like Man City, West Ham, and Liverpool. He was as quick as anyone and could terrorise defences with his direct running.He was a pleasure to see when healthy and performing at his best, but regrettably, injuries hindered his career and kept him from reaching the heights he possibly should have.
Bellamy was a nightmare to play against because he was constantly moving and exerting pressure on opposing players. Berated for not scoring more goals, Bellamy’s best moment wearing a Welsh jersey came in 2002 when he scored the game-winning goal against Italy.
Craig Bellamy Wales Stats | |
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Appearances | 78 |
Goals | 19 |

10 Greatest Wales Defenders in Football History [Ranked]
From Ashley Williams to Joey Jones, here are the 10 greatest Wales defenders in football history.
8Mickey Thomas
Career Span: 1972-1994
A legend in Welsh football, Mickey Thomas began his career at Wrexham, where he enjoyed six brilliant seasons.
Though he didn’t score many goals, Thomas was a constant threat on the left wing, either dribbling past his opponent or delivering a beautiful ball to find a teammate. Throughout his stellar career, Thomas played at the top levels for both Chelsea and Manchester United.
Thomas was a terrific player who had the corresponding talent. He was liked by the 13 clubs he played for since he was always happy to play. Thomas was a great team player and a fan favourite for the Welsh fans since he had incredible talent and was never hesitant to put in a lot of effort.
Mickey Thomas Wales Stats | |
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Appearances | 51 |
Goals | 4 |
7Robbie James
Career Span: 1973-1998
Robbie James ended up playing for nine different clubs during his career, but his prime years were spent with Swansea, the club from his hometown.
Between 1978 and 1981, James was a vital member of the Swansea team that unexpectedly moved up the divisions, from the fourth to the first. James was a gifted winger who could score goals from outside the area and was not hesitant to assist on defence. Between 1976 and 1978, James scored thirty-three goals for the Swans, helping them rise up the ranks and establish themselves as a major power in the sports world.
With 864 appearances at the end of his career—one of the most in British football history—the Welsh winger demonstrated his skill and dependability over the course of his 25 years as a professional. A bust of James is located in Swansea’s ground, symbolising the club’s admiration for him and his enduring legacy.
Robbie James Wales Stats | |
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Appearances | 46 |
Goals | 7 |

11 Greatest Wales Players in Football History [Ranked]
From Ryan Giggs to Gareth Bale, Wales have produced some legendary footballing names.
6Alan Curtis
Career Span: 1972-1994
Alan Curtis, a childhood friend of Robbie James at Swansea, assisted his childhood team in pulling off the incredible achievement of going from Division Four to Division One in the 1980s.
Curtis is a legendary player for Swansea, a quick, deft winger with a devastating shot. He was also a great wide player. The Welshman spent spells at both Southampton and Leeds, but he returned to Swansea shortly after, demonstrating his devotion to the team.
Curtis made 35 international appearances for his country, scoring six goals, which is a little disappointing for a player of his calibre.
Alan Curtis Wales Stats | |
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Appearances | 35 |
Goals | 6 |
5Leighton James
Career Span: 1970-1989
Leighton James was a player of genius proportions, one who wouldn’t seem out of place in the modern game.
James’s lightning-fast speed and straightforward style of play would terrorise the opposition’s full-backs as he would sprint past them and typically finish with a goal or an assist. James was sharp in front of goal and rarely missed an opportunity when it was given to him, generally one he created for himself.
James gained national recognition as a top player after excelling at Burnley, where he played for three different clubs and made over 300 games. One of his greatest moments in his career was captaining his country several times, and he will always be regarded as one of Wales’s greatest leaders.
Leighton James Wales Stats | |
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Appearances | 54 |
Goals | 10 |
4Ivor Allchurch
Career Span: 1947-1968
Ivor Allchurch was a unique talent who competed for Wales in the 1958 World Cup—the country’s most recent World Cup appearance until 2022.
While there were many incredible days in his career, his greatest moment wearing the Welsh red was undoubtedly scoring a goal in the play-off against Israel to qualify for the World Cup. Referred to be the “Golden Boy of Welsh football,” Allchurch spent his career playing for both Swansea and Cardiff, amassing nearly 250 goals.
The fact that Allchurch received an MBE in 1966 for his services to Welsh football is testament to his immense greatness.
He was the country’s all-time top scorer at one point, and his legacy will endure as one of
Ivor Allchurch Wales Stats | |
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Appearances | 68 |
Goals | 23 |

10 Greatest Wales Strikers in Football History [Ranked]
Wales have boasted many clinical strikers who have helped fire the Dragons to glory. Mark Hughes and Ian Rush are two of the top 10 in history.
3Cliff Jones
Career Span: 1952-1971
Cliff Jones was a player who scored in the 1958 World Cup playoffs versus Israel and was superior to many of his colleagues.
Jones was a legendary player who could have played for any team, including Swansea, Tottenham, or his own country. The 1960–61 season, when he scored 19 goals to help Spurs win the League Championship and FA Cup, was one of his best seasons at Tottenham. A year later, the team won both the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Jones was a versatile player who was well-respected worldwide and proficient on both wings. Because of the Welshman’s significance to the team, Tottenham turned down Juventus’ offer to sign him for a world record amount.
Cliff Jones Wales Stats | |
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Appearances | 59 |
Goals | 16 |
2Ryan Giggs
Career Span: 1990-2014
Ryan Giggs is one of the few athletes who can honestly call himself a “one-club man.”
As one of the greatest players in the world during his whole playing career, Ryan Giggs is a true game icon having spent his whole playing career with Manchester United. Giggs was a vital component of United’s triumph during his tenure there, possessing quickness, perseverance, and a remarkable left foot. With a career to match the greatest, the Welsh winger won 13 Premier League crowns and two Champions League titles.
Having only scored 12 goals in 64 appearances for Wales, Giggs was frequently lambasted for his lacklustre performance and lack of enthusiasm when he managed the national squad.
His capability isn’t
Ryan Giggs Wales Stats | |
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Appearances | 64 |
Goals | 12 |

Ryan Giggs vs Bukayo Saka vs Eden Hazard Stats Comparison
Comparing some of the finest wingers to grace the Premier League down the years.
1Gareth Bale
Career Span: 2006-2023
Gareth Bale is a player that is unquestionably passionate and dedicated to his country.
One of the best British football players of all time is Gareth Bale. Almost immediately after making his debut for the national team in 2006, the Welshman became their main attraction and remained so until 2022.
In 2016, after Wales’ amazing run to the European Championship semi-finals won over the world, he carried his country to its first major tournament since 1958. Bale led by example on the pitch, assisted in defence and scored incredible goals for the Welsh team.
Legendary in the game of football, Bale shown extraordinary talent during his nine-year tenure at Real Madrid, where he won five Champions Leagues. He was nearly tough to stop because of his distinct pace and style. We can only speculate about how much better he could have been without his injury issues, given that he was sadly dogged by ailments for a large portion of his career despite still rising to the top of the game.