Barry Owen is appointed new manager of Mold Alexandra
Barry Owen has been appointed new manager of Cymru North club Mold Alexandra.
Owen, 37, moves to Alyn Park after four months in charge of Tier 3 Ardal North West club St Asaph City.
He led Saints to a very impressive sixth place in their first season back in the third-tier. In his 16 games in charge, Asaph won four, drew six and lost six.
Prior to joining the Roe Plas Meadows club, Owen was best known for his long association with Llanrwst United.
Now he is set for his first stint as a Tier 2 manager with Mold, who finished a best-ever fourth in the Cymru North this season, as well as winning the WBS League Cup northern and national double and reaching the final of the NEWFA Challenge Cup.
Owen replaces Michael Cunningham and Steve Monk, who recently announced they would be stepping down at the end of 2023-24.
On his appointment, Owen said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed as Mold Alex first team manager.
“After speaking with the club, it was clear that our ambitions align, and there is a clear plan in place.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of the Cymru North in what should be an extremely competitive league yet again.”
A statement from Mold Alex said: “Barry will start his duties immediately and we look forward to working with him to build upon the excellent performances and results that Mike and the team have achieved over the past few years.
“Next season the league will be stronger than ever but we believe that Barry, his management team and the players will meet that challenge and deliver another season of exciting and successful football for our growing fan base to enjoy.
“Details of pre-season matches will be announced in due course but Barry’s first competitive match in charge will be on weekend 18th-20th July in the MG Cup (details tbc).”
Barry started playing football for Llanrwst United at the age of seven, and represented North Wales Coast and county at every age group.
He turned out Welsh Colleges in five-a-side, two years running at Loughborough, and also 11-a-side five times.
Owen was also part of the successful Llandrillo College Academy side that went to France and played the likes of Le Havre.
He debuted for Llanrwst United’s seniors in the Gwynedd League title-winning team of 2003/04. He then had a short stint at Llandudno, but returned to Llanrwst, becoming captain and later player-manager.
Between 2016-18, he was joint-manager of the Conwy Valley club alongside Rhodri Davies.
Barry stepped down in 2018, but returned to work alongside Leighton Griffiths for the 2020-21 campaign, which was cancelled due to Covid.
Owen and Griffiths led the team in the first season of the new Ardal North West League (2021-22), Llanrwst finishing an excellent fourth in the table.
Last season Barry took over as sole manager and it was again a more than satisfactory campaign for the all-reds as they finished seventh.
This season began brilliantly for the Rwsters, but in November Barry decided to leave to spend more time with his family.
When he departed Parc Gwydir, the Rwsters had won 10, drawn 2 and lost just twice – to league leaders CPD Y Rhyl 1879 and Cymru Premier outfit Colwyn Bay in the Welsh Cup.
Owen joined St Asaph on January 21 and his first game delivered a 3-3 home draw with Brickfield Rangers.