Siân Gwenllian MS celebrates constituent’s remarkable transplant football success

Y Felinheli plumber and father of five helps Wales Transplant Football Team finish fourth in the world

Siân Gwenllian MS has praised the determination of her constituent Gareth Jones, from Y Felinheli, after he helped the Wales Transplant Football Team achieve an outstanding fourth-place finish at the World Cup in Germany this year.

Gareth, a plumber and father of five, became seriously ill in June 2022 after weeks of struggling with breathlessness. His heart was working at just 10% capacity, and he urgently needed a transplant.

Fortunately, a donor heart became available just one day after Gareth was placed on the transplant waiting list, giving him a second chance at life.

Following his recovery, Gareth worked hard to rebuild his fitness and joined the Wales Transplant Football Team. He regularly travels to south Wales to train with his teammates, going on to compete in the World Cup in Italy in 2024 before helping Wales secure fourth place in the world in Germany this year.

Siân Gwenllian MS said:

“Gareth’s story is truly inspiring. To go through such a life-changing experience and then work so hard to regain his fitness and compete on the world stage is an incredible achievement.

“His determination and commitment are a credit to him, and his success with the Wales Transplant Football Team is something his community can be immensely proud of.

“I’m very grateful to Gareth’s family for bringing his story to my attention. I want to congratulate Gareth and all his teammates on this fantastic result.”