:Chris Venables
{{Short description|Welsh footballer (born 1985)}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Chris Venables
|alt = footballer standing in uniform on field
|caption = Venables playing for Bala Town
|image = Venables,_Chris.jpg
|fullname = Christopher Venables
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|7|28|df=y}}
|birth_place =
|height =
|position = Midfielder, striker
|currentclub = Penybont
|clubnumber = 9
|youthclubs1 = Shrewsbury Town
|years1 = 2003–2007
|clubs1 = Caersws
|years2 = 2007–2008
|clubs2 = Welshpool Town
|years3 = 2008–2009
|clubs3 = Aberystwyth Town
|years4 = 2009–2012
|clubs4 = Llanelli
|caps4 = 102
|goals4 = 19
|years5 = 2013–2016
|clubs5 = Aberystwyth Town
|caps5 = 100
|goals5 = 75
|years6 = 2016–2023
|clubs6 = Bala Town
|caps6 = 187
|goals6 = 89
|years7 = 2023–
|clubs7 = Penybont
|caps7 = 39
|goals7 = 27
}}
Christopher Venables (born 28 July 1985) is a Welsh footballer who plays as a striker for Cymru Premier club Penybont.
Life and career
Venables is a native of Llandinam, Wales. He attended Llanidloes High School in Powys.{{Cite web|url=https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/local/llanidloes/23820769.powys-football-star-venables-makes-welsh-premier-history/|title=Powys football star Venables makes Welsh Premier history|publisher=countytimes.co.uk}} He grew up supporting Welsh side Caersws. He mainly operates as a midfielder or striker.{{Cite web|url=https://clwbpeldroed.org/2020/02/12/chris-venables-cymru-premier-bala/|title=A tribute to Chris Venables – A true Cymru Premier custodian and Bala's newly found goal-getter|publisher=clwbpeldroed.org}} As a youth player, he joined the youth academy of English side Shrewsbury Town.
He started his career with Caersws and helped the club win the 2007 Welsh League Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://nation.cymru/sport/the-incredible-story-of-welsh-football-record-breaker-chris-venables/|title=The incredible story of Welsh football record breaker Chris Venables|publisher=nation.cymru}} In 2007, he signed for Welshpool Town, moving to fellow Welsh Premier League outfit Aberystwyth Town the following season. In 2009, he signed for Llanelli Town, scoring 19 goals in 102 league appearances. In 2013, he returned to Aberystwyth Town, scoring 75 goals in 100 league appearances. In 2016, Venables signed for Bala Town, helping the club to a second place finish in the league in his first season. He also won the 2023 Welsh League Cup with the Lakesiders and scored 29 goals in 47 league appearances, before signing for Penybont in 2023. He has been described as "one of the most acclaimed players in the league... earned a reputation as one of the most talented and consistent players in the league". He is a Wales C international.
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Venables, Chris}}
Category:Welsh men's footballers
Category:21st-century Welsh sportsmen
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Llanelli Town A.F.C. players
Category:Aberystwyth Town F.C. players