Fishlock and Coleman enter Welsh Sports Hall of Fame

ByChris Wathan

BBC Sport Wales

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.

Fishlock won 166 caps and scored 48 goals before retiring from Wales duty last year following a first ever appearance at a major finals at Euro 2025.

Presenting the award, former Wales international and current Uefa Vice-President Laura McAllister said: "There are not enough superlatives to describe Jess. She has won titles wherever she has gone. She is a role model. She is our best ever footballer."

The Welsh Sports Hall of Fame broke their own rules to induct Fishlock, normally only honouring sports people following retirement.

Undefeated boxing icon Joe Calzaghe is the only other athlete to have been given the same special dispensation.

Fishlock's award was collected on her behalf as she prepares for the culmination of her 25-year club career in the US with Seattle Reign, but she sent a video message describing the honour as "huge".

She insisted reaching Euro 2025 was the best achievement of a glittering career, adding that "doing something with your people sets it apart from everything else".

Fishlock is set to join Rhian Wilkinson's coaching staff for next month's play-offs with Norway as Wales look to reach a first ever women's World Cup, adding: "They are tough but winnable games.

"I'm excited to be back in camp and do whatever I can to support Rhian and the girls to get to the World Cup for the first time which would be incredible."

Coleman was also hailed for his role in "bringing the nation together" as Wales men qualified for their first major tournament in 58 years.

The former Blackburn Rovers, Crystal Palace and Fulham defender was appointed Wales manager in 2012 following the death of Gary Speed, helping the men's national side rise from 117th in the Fifa rankings to eighth in the world.

Dual Wales international Nia Jones also joined the list of more than 236 sportspeople honoured by the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame over the past 30 years, recognising her success with netball and as a 30-cap football international.

There was a posthumous induction for referee Mervyn 'Sandy' Griffiths, the Abertillery official who took charge of the 1953 'Matthews' FA Cup final and officiated at three World Cups, including as linesman at the 1954 final.

The roll of honour was first established in 1989, with Rugby League great Sir Billy Boston the first name, last night's event beginning with a tribute to the former Great Britain and Wigan star who died earlier this year.

The Welsh Sports Hall of Fame, a charity organisation, also announced plans for a permanent home for their collection of historically significant sports memorabilia to be housed at Newport's Celtic Manor Resort.