‘ICON’ WAS SPECIAL AS A KID TOO

EXCLUSIVE BY

GARETH BALE’S 100th cap will stir memories and a sense of pride in Gwyn Morris.

And the PE teacher, who helped send him on his way from Whitchurch High in Cardiff, says Bale’s devotion to the Wales cause will never be forgotten.

Family friend Morris (above) said: “It will be massive for him, his family and the whole of Wales.

“I can remember him getting his first cap and how proud we were as a community and school.

“To do it 100 times is an incredible achievement and shows how much he cares and wants to play for Wales.

“It will never be forgotten – he has been a world icon for kids. That is very special for a small country like Wales to produce such a top-class athlete.”

Morris remembers Bale (below) helping Whitchurch win the Cardiff & Vale Senior Cup as a 16-year-old playing for their Under-18 first team.

He has gone on to win the

Champions League four times with Real Madrid, and La Liga. Morris said: “I knew we might have someone special when Gareth came to me and said, ‘Sorry sir, I can’t play for school tomorrow because I am playing for Southampton in the FA Youth Cup final’.

“When he is 15 years old in the 2005 FA Youth Cup final, that tells me he is a hell of a prospect.

“He was a year younger than David Beckham when he did the same feat.

“We didn’t often play year 11 boys for the seniors, but he played in a cup final for us and was outstanding.

“We smiled and said, ‘If he has a bit of luck and opportunity, then he could make it’.”

And Bale has not forgotten his roots (opening Whitchurch Primary, below). Morris added: “When Gareth has since come back to school, he has brought a Southampton shirt, a Spurs shirt, and a Real Madrid match-worn shirt – and none of these we have asked for.

“He has remembered where he has come from.”