Where are they now? As Joe Ledley retires, we track down the 10 players alongside him on his Wales debut 16 years ago

By Dafydd Jones

AS Joe Ledley announced his retirement from professional football this week, the midfielder boasts a glittering international career.

We take a look back at his Wales debut and the fine list of names that shared the field with him on a historic night for the midfielder.

John Toshack’s side travelled to face Poland on 7 September 2005 in their bid to qualify for the World Cup.

Wales succumbed to a narrow 1-0 defeat in front of 13,500 fans in Warsaw, with Maciej Zurawski netting a second-half penalty to dent the hopes of qualification.

So where are they now? Here’s where…..

Danny Coyne

Between the sticks for Wales in Poland was Prestatyn-born shot-stopper Danny Coyne.

The goalkeeper was plying his trade for Burnley at the time, going on to play for the likes of Tranmere Rovers, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and Shrewsbury Town, along with making 16 international caps, before his retirement.

Coyne has since started his coaching career, twice taking on the role of caretaker manager at Shrewsbury Town in 2016 and 2018.

Most recently, the former Wales goalkeeper was a part of Jonathan Woodgate’s coaching staff at Middlesbrough, before leaving the club following the appointment of Neil Warnock in August 2020.

Rob Edwards

The clash with Poland was one of 15 caps earned by defender Rob Edwards.

The centre-back had a successful career, making over 213 senior league appearances, with 100 of those coming during his four-year spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Since his retirement in 2013, Edwards has enjoyed a fruitful time in management, taking on roles with AFC Telford United, Wolverhampton Wanderers U23’s and England U16.

On 27 May 2021, Edwards was appointed Head Coach of League Two outfit Forest Green Rovers.

Richard Duffy

Coming through the Wales ranks at the time was fellow-defender Richard Duffy.

The Swansea-born centre-back was plying his trade for Portsmouth, where he had lan spells at the likes of Burnley, Coventry City and Swansea City.

Duffy went on to accumulate over 100 league appearances for Exeter City, Port Vale and Notts County, as well as earning 13 caps for his country.

Currently, the former Wales international is the manager of Congleton Town.

Sam Ricketts

Also deployed at the back against Poland was the ever-dependable Sam Ricketts.

The right-back had recently joined Swansea City from Telford United, where he had broken through and impressed.

Ricketts went on to have a highly respectable career playing for the likes of Hull City, Bolton Wanderers and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Going into management in 2018, Ricketts left Wrexham for rivals Shrewsbury Town but was relieved of his duty in November 2020.

Danny Gabbidon

One of the most recognisable names in Wales’ line-up in Warsaw was Danny Gabbidon.

The centre-back had just joined West Ham United from Cardiff City, where he went on to make 96 league appearances.

Gabbidon had an impressive international career, making 49 caps for his country and is a close-friend of fellow Wales hero Ledley.

The former Wales international is now a popular figure in football media, regularly featuring on Sky Sports and BBC Radio Wales.

James Collins

Alongside Gabbidon at the back was defender James Collins.

The former-international made the move to West Ham from Cardiff in the same summer as Gabbidon, going on to make 188 league appearances for the club over two spells.

During his 51 caps for Wales, Collins was a part of the heroic Euro 2016 squad that remarkably achieved a semi-final berth.

Having announced his retirement from football in October 2020, Collins has also featured in various roles in the media.

David Partridge

London-born centre-back David Partridge was impressing at club level during his time in Scotland, playing for Dundee United and Motherwell.

The defender caught the eye of Bristol City, also earning a place in the international setup.

The clash with Poland is one of seven caps Partridge earned between 2005 and 2006, with his final appearance coming against Trinidad & Tobago.

Partridge is now retired, having ended his career in non-league with Cambridge United and Thurrock.

Carl Fletcher

A teammate of both Gabbidon and Collins at West Ham United and Wales was Carl Fletcher.

The midfielder started out at Bournemouth, going on to play for the likes of Watford, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Plymouth Argyle.

Fletcher also made 36 appearances for Wales, with his only goal coming against Norway at the Racecourse in 2008.

Since his retirement, Fletcher has managed both Plymouth Argyle and Leyton Orient, leaving the latter in November 2019.

Jason Koumas

One of Wales’ most exciting players in 2005 was Jason Koumas.

The Wrexham-born attacker was plying his trade for West Bromwich Albion, having a loan spell at Cardiff City.

Koumas impressed at international level, scoring ten goals in his 34 caps, narrowly missing out on qualification for Euro 2004 under Mark Hughes.

The attacker announced his retirement on 10 July 2015 after a number of injuries during his career.

Craig Davies

John Toshack opted to deploy an attacking duo, firstly with striker Craig Davies.

The Burton-upon-Trent-born attacker had just left Manchester City for Oxford United, scoring 8 times in 48 league games.

The striker’s most prolific spell at club level was for Chesterfield, where he netted 23 goals in 41 league games.

Most recently, Davies has featured for League Two club Mansfield Town, where he had injury troubles, before being released at the end of the 2019-20 season.

Robert Earnshaw

One of Wales’ key men in 2005 was striker Robert Earnshaw, who was highly prolific at club level.

Earnshaw was fantastic in his first spell at Cardiff City, netting 86 goals in 183 appearances and securing promotion to the First Division in 2003.

After impressing again for the Bluebirds following promotion, Earnshaw signed for Premier League club West Bromwich Albion for £3.5 million a year prior to playing Poland.

With a stellar career for club and country, Earnshaw has since become a regular feature in the media covering the Championship for the likes of Sky Sports.

Simon Davies

John Toshack opted for dependable winger Simon Davies out in Warsaw.

The Haverfordwest-born attacker had a memorable international career, including a notable goal in the famous win over Italy.

Davies made 368 league appearances in a glittering career, as well as earning 58 caps for Wales.

Most recently, the former Wales winger had been part of the coaching staff at Peterborough United’s U18’s side, before moving on to coach the U23’s at the start of this season.

Ryan Giggs

Wales’ standout player in 2005 was undoubtedly Ryan Giggs.

In a fantastic career at Manchester United, Giggs played 672 league games and was a serial trophy winner during his time at the club.

At international level, Giggs netted 12 times over his 64 caps, going on to manage the National Team from 2018.