Wrexham Star Lili Mai Jones Aims to Make Her Late Father Proud Ahead of Welsh Cup Final

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Lili Mai Jones Balances University and Football—Now She’s Ready for Welsh Cup Glory

Lili Mai Jones, a 19-year-old footballer from Wrexham, is preparing for one of the biggest moments of her young career as Wrexham Women face Cardiff City in the Welsh Cup final this Sunday. Since joining the club at six years old, Lili has become a key player during one of the most successful periods in Wrexham’s history.

Balancing her semi-professional football career with university studies in Welsh and Journalism at Bangor University, Lili admits the schedule is demanding:

“The balance is almost impossible,” she says. “I do a lot of driving between Bangor and Wrexham. I’m back and forth at least three times a week. It’s hard, but at the same time, it’s two things I really want to do. I really want to study Welsh and I really want to play football for Wrexham.”

Lili grew up just minutes from Wrexham’s legendary home ground, the Racecourse Ground, where she spent years watching matches from the terrace before eventually fulfilling her dream of playing on the pitch herself.

“I was lucky enough to score at the Racecourse,” she recalls. “That’s something that will stay with me forever.”

Her father, Gareth, who passed away suddenly at the age of 50 in 2021, was a passionate Wrexham supporter and a strong presence in her football journey. Though his death was a devastating blow, Lili says his memory continues to inspire her:

“I remember him saying when I was growing up, ‘get involved’. He never shouted at me on the sidelines — he was just there. Anyone who knew him knows he was a big character on the side of the pitch. He was always making people laugh.”

“I remember playing with a boys’ team on a really cold, rainy day. One of the boys in goal was shaking, and Dad went behind the goal and started doing star jumps with him. I was really embarrassed but that memory stands out.”

Lili also fondly recalls the moment her father took a day off work to watch her play for Wales:

“About five years ago, I got a call to play for Wales. I remember Dad calling to say he couldn’t be there because he was working. But when I stepped on the pitch, I spotted his car before we sang the anthem. He took the day off to come down — I’ll never forget that.”

“Losing Dad just gives me another reason to play. I try to make him proud every time I put on that Wrexham shirt.”

Wrexham’s owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have celebrated alongside the men’s and women’s teams after successful seasons, and Lili is excited about Sunday’s final against Cardiff City — the reigning league champions and previous cup winners.

“It’s going to be a tough game — Cardiff are a good team. But we’ve beaten them in the last two matches.”

“Momentum is so important in football and we’ve had a good run of games. We train twice a week, watch Cardiff’s games and try to spot their mistakes. We’re in a good place as a team.”

As Lili Jones prepares to take the field this weekend, she carries with her the pride and memory of her late father, determined to make him proud on one of Welsh football’s biggest stages.