ANGLESEY has recently gained its very own World Cup winner.

John Llewelyn Pritchard, who plays for Amlwch Town FC’s Walking Football team, was part of the Welsh Over 60’s Walking Football squad crowned world champions on June 1.

The team, made up of players from across Wales, beat France in the final to win the inaugural World Cup competition for international walking football teams, held at Leyton Orient’s Matchroom Stadium.

62-year-old John and his team mates played nine matches of 15-20 minutes duration and saw off competition from the likes of Australia, England and Spain on their way to lifting the Cup.

Goalkeeper John didn’t concede a single goal throughout the whole tournament - earning himself the Golden Glove award, given to the keeper with most clean sheets.

“It was a real honour to have been chosen for the squad,” he said.

“However, to then go on and win the whole tournament and the Golden Glove was an unbelievable feeling. It felt great to have played my part in what will go down as a little bit of history now.

"The highlight for me was stopping former Barcelona and Spurs player Steve Archibald from scoring. He was playing for Spain as he has lived there for numerous years."

North Wales Chronicle:

John earned his first cap for the over 60's in a match v England in Barry last September, having taken part in trials beforehand.

He was one of two goalkeepers selected to represent the squad at the World Cup tournament.

John says he was originally a defender in his playing days for Amlwch's senior side and added that footballing talent runs in the family.

"I was a left back who only went in goal whenever our keeper was sent off, which was far too often for my liking," he added.

"My daughter Laura (Eynon) plays for Amlwch Ladies and has also been selected as captain for the Ynys Môn women's team who will compete in the Huws Gray 2019 Inter-Island Games Competition."

Some of John's Amlwch FC Walking Football team mates representing the Over 50’s squad (Alan Whiston, Richard Jones, Steve Roberts and Alan Carter, below) narrowly missed out on glory of their own as they were beaten on penalties by France in their respective competition.

North Wales Chronicle:

The walking football team has garnered much recognition in recent months, after enjoying success in several tournaments nationwide, which included lifting the FA People's Cup in Chester.

Managers of the Wales over 60 walking football squad, Martin Ransom and Lee Breeze said: "We are so happy that John is in our squad.

"Not only is he a great goalkeeper, but he is also a wonderful ambassador for Wales. Not letting a single goal in all of the World Cup at Leyton Orient football ground is no mean feat."

As there is no current North Wales-based league for walking football, John plays for a Connah's Quay team who travel down South every two months to play seven fixtures against other teams from across Wales.