Cardiff Met are in a comeback season. Top of the Genero Adran South, the six-time top flight champions are on course to return to where historically, they should be. It’s a new era for the football club, and promotion is the first step.
Anna Houghton was there when Met felt the pain of relegation, and has stayed to help the club get back to the Genero Adran Premier. A versatile player with incredible technical ability, comfortable with both feet, and her importance is equally high both defensively and attacking for Met.
A career which started in the North but has led her to one of the biggest clubs in the South.
Anna began her football career in North Wales, and the Houghton name might be one you recognise.
Her sister Katie also plays football, playing at CPD Bethel when Anna was also playing her football in the North with Penrhyn Bay. They never played in the same team, but began their football journey at a similar time.
Katie has recently returned to football after an ACL injury, with the attacking midfielder now with CPDM Y Felinheli in the Genero Adran North.
Penrhyn Bay have history of developing the careers of some of the best players now in the Genero Adran Leagues, and Anna Houghton was no different.
She was part of the Penrhyn side that won the FAW Girls Cup in 2019, in a 3-2 win over Villa Dino Christchurch.
Ella Jones scored a hattrick that day – that name will sound familiar if you’ve kept up to date with the Genero Adran North.
Houghton’s performances for Penrhyn Bay also saw a Wales U15s callup come her way.
“Signing for Penrhyn Bay opened up so many opportunities for me,” Houghton says. “They supported me massively when i decided to move down to South Wales.”
Anna made the move to South Wales, and had a brief spell with Cyncoed in the Welsh Premier Women’s League.
She then joined Barry Town United in 2021 in their first season in the Genero Adran Premier. A difficult season in the top flight, but it would end up being a memorable one.
A final day 2-1 win over Pontypridd Town saw Barry stay up on goal difference, in one of the closest relegation battles we’ve ever seen in the Welsh top flight.
Anna Houghton got an assist in that game, with the rising Mackenzie Olden scoring twice to secure Barry’s place in the Genero Adran Premier.
Houghton on her time at Barry: “I played with Barry Town United for two seasons and it was great.
“I enjoyed my time with them and they certainly helped me develop to the player I am today.”
It was a team full of talent, many of who have continued to impress in the Genero Adran Leagues.
Mackenzie Olden and Megan Bowen from that team are both now part of a title winning Cardiff City side. Taite Trivett is a regular at Swansea City, whilst Manon Pearce plays in the English FAWNL with Gwalia United.
Maisey Fahey-Pennell also continues to impress with Penybont, whilst Olivia Townsend and Rachel Currie also play in the Genero Adran South.
Wing-back Faith Mulenga joined Cardiff Met with Anna, which is where we go next.
In terms of the Genero Adran Premier, it hasn’t been the start to life at Met that Houghton would’ve wanted, not just on an individual level, but the squad as a whole.
Anna Houghton of Cardiff Met in action.
Cardiff Metropolitan University v Barry Town United in the Genero Adran Premier at Cyncoed Campus on the 28th January 2024. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
Her first season at the club saw Met just about avoiding relegation, but the season after seemed inevitable to many.
Several key players left the club during her first two seasons, and with lots of managerial changes came a lot of uncertainty. Cardiff Met were relegated for the first time in the club’s history in 2025.
A disappointing season for a club who had been so dominant in the Welsh top flight for several years.
However, things can change very quickly in football. Cardiff Met are now top of the Genero Adran South after six games.
More stability, a better identity, and all of a sudden their story could very quickly be back in the Genero Adran Premier. There’s a feel good factor back at Cyncoed Campus, and Anna Houghton is central to that.
Under Jon Nash, there’s a real belief that Cardiff Met can be successful once again.
Houghton explained: “The move to Cardiff Met wasn’t easy, but looking back it was the right decision.
“I’ve got such an important role here, i’m still learning and developing myself as a footballer and i’m enjoying the experience.”
Cardiff Met v Cascade in the Genero Adran South at Cyncoed Campus on the 28th September 2025. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
