Read along as I unearth the hidden gems in Wales. Fire up your laptop and set your destination for Cardiff as we jump through time 5 years into the future to see how our aspiring Gareth Bale’s have developed. 

Deuparth gwaith yw ei ddechrau. Starting the work is two thirds of it…

Traditional Welsh Proverb

Yes, this old proverb lends itself nicely to our article which will hopefully make your time managing a side in Wales a lot more enjoyable. The hard work begins now!

Before we open the Delorean doors, let me first pose a question – Why Wales? I have often been guilty of dismissing Wales, as the obligatory ‘Neighbouring Nation’ that loads on Football Manager when attempting to start a new game. Despite it’s small size and low reputation in-game, there is much to be gained from a managerial spell in the ‘The Land of Castles’.

Cymru Premier League

Firstly, you are only a few good seasons away from European football! This can be achieved through the Welsh Cup or finishing in the upper echelons of the Cymru Premier. You will be coming up against the trophy winning behemoth that is The New Saints. Also simply known as TNS. The professional outfit from just over the border into Shropshire will frustrate, annoy and exasperate you time and time again but keep the faith! For that first victory over TNS, or that moment you plant your flag on the summit of the Welsh pyramid, is absolute ecstasy. You will also face unfamiliar clubs with unfamiliar names. Where else would you visit fantastically named stadia such as Gresford Athletic’s ‘Clappers Lane’? Even Cefn Druids boldly labelled ground ‘The Rock’?

Passionate fans, mercurial talents and newgens with a tendency to have a streak of brilliance. Managing in Wales is a hell of a ride!

In all seriousness, I have loved playing with Welsh clubs through a multitude of different Football Managers. The following article will pinpoint a number of unearthed gems who may be able to turn your Welsh leeks into consecutive trophy streaks. They may not be anywhere near the Ballon d’Or shortlist in the near future. However, these guys will be solid, reliable and convenient members of your save. 

Disclaimer: The attributes shown in 2026 are subject of course to training, staff and a variety of factors that may occur throughout individual saves. Happy hunting!

Goalkeepers

Max Manson

First up is 6 foot 4” shot stopper Max Manson. The 21 year old goalkeeper is in demand after initially booting up the game. He’s marked as ‘Wanted’ by a host of Cymru Premier clubs such as Aberystwyth and Flint Town. Manson is a solid goalkeeper. Initially from Tier 2 clubs in Wales. Manson has the potential to develop into a good first choice between the sticks. Most importantly, given the shoestring budgets in Wales, he is able to pick up on a free. He’ll most likely look for Non-Contract terms on as little as £15 per appearance. 

Manson has sporadically appeared at best, but he has held down a role in top Welsh clubs for 5 seasons as a good back up. With home grown rules and other matchday requirements being implemented, Manson is a useful squad member to acquire early in your career. 

Cameron Griffith-Norris

The young goalkeeper can be picked up as a Free Agent after leaving Llanrhaeadr in the previous summer. A former academy prospect at Shrewsbury, Walsall and Port Vale, the 19 year old will slot nicely into a Tier 2 save right away. 

In our simulation he moves to Flint Town in the top flight and plays consistently for 5 straight seasons, an admirable feat at still a young age for a keeper! 

Defenders

Oliver Southern – Right Back

Southern, a right back who is comfortable operating as a wing back or central midfielder, has good natural fitness, acceleration and decision making for any level. The former Norwich trialist has played over the border in England for Curzon Ashton and currently plays for Cymru Premier side Bala. He can be picked up early on a Free Transfer or when his contract expires in 2022.

After a brief loan spell in the second tier, Southern consistently achieves good ratings as a right back in the Cymru Premier. A future star? You decide!

Dylan Rees – Right Back

Joining Southern in our growing selection of marauding full backs is former Cardiff youngster, Dylan Rees. Rees, 26, is a former Wales ‘C’ international and has played (and scored) in the Europa League with Cardiff Met. Currently playing for his hometown club of Haverfordwest, Rees may be reluctant to sign at first but can be picked up on a free during the second window with a low wage demand. 

Similarly to Southern, Rees shows good physical stats and this enables him to have a good career across the top two divisions in Wales. Definitely another solid addition.

Dan Jefferies – Center Back

Looking to bolster your defence in the second tier in the hope of building a sustainable title challenge? Well you could do a lot worse than looking at Dan Jefferies. The 22 year old defender has played for Dundee, Colchester and Partick Thistle on loan. He is also the first player in this list to have his own Wikipedia page – llongyfarchiadau (congratulations) Dan! 

Again, Mr Jefferies may appear reluctant to move immediately, however, it won’t take long for him to realise his shot at the very top of Welsh football may have passed him by but he will make a great addition to second tier teams. Although still not brilliant at the end of our 5 year experiment, Dan appears to be growing into a good, well rounded player.

Midfielders

Charlie Williams – Central Midfielder

For someone of such a young age, Charlie Williams has been at a lot of clubs! The 20 year old’s resume boasts stints with Cardiff City and Bala Town’s academies, Denbigh and finally Ruthin Town during the 2018/19 seasons. Charlie is back at Ruthin when booting up FM22 but can be purchased on a Free Transfer. Good passing, vision and work rate stats allow Charlie to be deployed in a number of roles in the middle of the park.

Again, there may be doubts over Williams’ ability to cut it at the very top of the pyramid but as you can see he is able to perform for teams in the Cymru North/South and above consistently.

Chris Craven – Central Midfielder

Sitting next to Williams in our ‘Hidden Gems’ midfield is Cardiff Met’s Chris Craven. The 21 year old Welshman has good pedigree. Having come through the youth ranks at Cefn Druids and making 2 appearances for aforementioned title winning machines, TNS, Craven is a very useful addition especially at Cymru North/South level. He can be picked up on a Free Transfer and will only ask for a small appearance based wage. Quick and agile, Craven can also slot into central defence. 

Time travelling has been kind to Craven as his ratings show! Consistently achieving close to 7.00 in the second tier for the duration of our experiment suggests he will be a vital cog in any effective midfield at that level.

Ryan Cunningham – Central Midfielder

The man, the myth, the mystery! Not much is known about the 19 year old Free Agent who most recently had a frustratingly undocumented spell with Flint Town. Cunningham displays good passing and great determination stats for any level in Wales and does not have a high wage demand. A very handy free agent.

After being picked up on a free during our experiment, Cunningham goes on to have 5 excellent seasons with Port Talbot and Ruthin with achieving a 7.2 overall average rating.

Lewis Clutton – Midfield Utility Man

Born in 2001, yes 2001 older readers, Lewis Clutton appears to be a very useful addition to any squad. Operating in a number of positions towards the attacking end of the pitch, Clutton’s good physical stats coupled with good vision means he is a handful for opposition teams especially in the 2nd tier. Clutton, who is a product of Bristol Rovers’ youth system, is most comfortable in the middle of the park but can be deployed on either wing.

After skipping ahead 5 years and hoping he can now play as a Sweeper Keeper (he cannot), Clutton has enjoyed a good career in the top tier with Penybont before earning a move to the high fliers of Connah’s Quay. 

Attackers

Jordan Davies – Right Winger/Striker

Another player who can play in a number of positions, Davies can be play across the front 3 as a winger or a striker. The 25 year old attacker has played for a host of Welsh clubs including; Brickfield, Prestatyn and is currently on loan with Haverfordwest from Connah’s Quay. He has also played over the border in the National League with AFC Telford and Kings Lynn. Perhaps available exclusively to Cymru Premier clubs initially, Davies had good pace and coupled with his leadership attribute can produce great moments.

One of our elder statesmen at 25, Davies goes on to have a decent five seasons in the top division before dropping down to the second tier. A versatile and dynamic player, Davies has the experience to bolster your squad. 

Jordan Evans – Left Winger

Fulham academy graduate, Evans (30) is the oldest highlighted player but don’t dismiss him so quickly! Another Wiki page-holder, Evans has experienced it all in Welsh football. Playing for Cefn Druids, Airbus and most recently Newtown, Evans has played up and down the left hand side throughout his career. Boasting well rounded stats at technical level, Evans still retains a good level of pace despite his age and will be able to pick up on a Free Transfer by most Cymru Premier sides. 

Crossing my fingers and hoping not to see Jordan retired and sitting in a cozy Welsh pub, let’s press on into the future! Evans is still playing at a good level in the second tier after racking up decent ratings in the Cymru Premier for the previous four seasons.

Summary

Hopefully these players can make a difference as you begin your adventure in beautiful Wales. As I said before these lads aren’t going to be solid for a massive profit, nor are they going to make millions through shirt sales. They are though going to give 100% and act as solid squad players with a number of them pushing on to be star players within your regenerated squad. 

Thank you for reading. To stay up to date with our latest articles, guides and experiments make sure you follow Dictate the Game on Twitter.