“Trailblazer”: Family celebrates legacy of pioneer Wales international footballer

The family of Senghenydd-born Wales international footballer, Wendy Slade, have presented one of her caps to the Aber Valley Heritage Museum.

Wendy Slade was born in May 1958 and grew up on Stanley Street, Senghenydd, where she was often found with a ball at her feet, playing with the boys.

Her neighbour at the time, Terry Treherne, told Caerphilly Observer what Wendy was like growing up: “Everyone got on as neighbours and there was a green space opposite that the council wasn’t allowed to build on where all the kids played.

“I remember seeing Wendy out there trying to play football with the lads and they didn’t really understand it, but they let her play anyway.”

By the time she was 20, Wendy was involved in the Wales set-up, during a period when women’s football in Wales was organised without the support of the Football Association of Wales (FAW) – meaning the women would have to sort everything out themselves, including travel, kit, and other expenses.

Wendy’s younger brother, Martin Slade, was also at the presentation. He recalled how determined Wendy was to play football: “She didn’t drive, so to play football she would have to get a bus to Caerphilly then a train to Cardiff at a time when public transport wasn’t very reliable.

“I remember when she came home with her football cap, we didn’t really appreciate what it was and just used to wear it around the house.

“We’ve decided to present the cap to the museum to not only preserve it but to hopefully inspire other girls who want to play football.”

Wendy’s family are unsure when she made her debut, but the cap, which was handed to the museum on Tuesday October 17, was from a game between Scotland and Wales in April 1979. Wendy started that game as a substitute in a 2-0 loss.

Neighbour Mr Treherne added: “I had no idea she’d even won a cap until recently, it’s a great achievement which more people need to know about.”

Speaking at the ceremony was former Welsh international and Cardiff City player, Laura McAllister. McAllister is considered as a pioneer in Welsh football.

Along with Michele Adams and Karen Jones, McAllister successfully pushed the FAW into recognising women’s football in 1992.

McAllister, who is also a vice president at European governing body UEFA, said: “It’s a pleasure to be here today in a community very similar to the one I grew up in. One thing we say about Wales is that the communities are so proud of their sports people.

“I, like Wendy, had a very different experience to the girls and women who play for Wales now. But even then in the early 90s, we were very conscious that there was a whole generation who came before us.

“If anything, Wendy and some of the other women of her time were the true pioneers. If it wasn’t for their commitment to play for Wales, they wouldn’t have paved the way for my generation and the generations since.”

Wendy also had a life outside of football in Senghenydd, where she worked for Inland Revenue, a good job at the time according to her brother Martin.

“People would stop her in the street for advice on their tax scores”, Martin joked. “She was a very popular figure in the area and it’s nice that the cap is staying here to represent that, and her”, he added.

Wendy’s niece, Jovi, and nephew, Ben, were also in attendance. They said: “It’s great to see the FAW here and hopefully it can inspire the next generation.

“I don’t think Wendy would believe it if she saw what was going on, but she’d be very proud.”

Wales women manager Gemma Grainger was also in attendance.

Grainger, who presented a signed football shirt to the museum, said: “Wendy and others have been absolute trailblazers in the women’s game and it doesn’t go unnoticed by me. It’s an honour and a privilege to be here today.”

Unfortunately, Wendy Slade passed away in 2021, but her cap and story can be found in a “very special place” within the Aber Valley Museum, according to secretary Gill Jones.