North Wales football’s greatest stories No4: Llandudno FC – 2014/15 and finally the bride

The 2014/15 season was when it finally all came good for Llandudno FC.

Ever since they had joined the Cymru Alliance in 1993/94, the Seasiders had been the bridesmaids, finishing regularly among the leading sides, but the championship continually eluded them.

Their closest call had come in 2002/03, when they were runners-up.

At the start of 2014/15, many felt Tudno would do well in the HGA, but few were actually predicting they would win the title.

However, manager Alan Morgan had built a strong squad, with new signings Gareth Evans and Danny Hughes promising to become major driving forces in an impressive midfield alongside the likes of the inspirational Tom Dix.

Partnering the prolific Marc Evans up front was Toby Jones, both of these lads goal-getters with Welsh Premier experience.

Former Sheffield Wednesday defender Richard Hinds brought vital experience at the back, while goalkeeper Connor Wearing was proven quality.

Llandudno set the tone for a great season with five straight wins. They ruled the roost throughout the campaign and were never seriously threatened.

On their new 3G pitch at Maesdu Park, the Seasiders were all but invincible, winning 13 out of 15 in the league and losing just once.

They were not quite able to clinch the title in their final home match against Denbigh Town, but eight days later a 2-1 success at Penycae sealed a first Huws Gray Alliance crown for the Seasiders.

Early exits from most of the cups enabled Morgan’s men to concentrate on their main objective – winning the league and achieving their dream of reaching the Welsh Premier.

Marc Evans finished top-marksman with 28 goals, including 22 in the league, while midfielder Gareth Evans and Danny Hughes netted 16 and 11 respectively and Toby Jones pocketed 13.

It had been a fantastic all-round effort which made Llandudno stand out as one of the teams of 2014/15 in North Wales football.

How Llandudno FC became 2014/15 Huws Gray Alliance teams (all competitions results included)

Aug 16 – Mold Alexandra (a-lge) 2-0 (Tom Dix, Toby Jones)

Aug 19 – Caersws (a-Word Cup) 5-3 (Marc Evans 4, Leigh Craven)

Aug 23 – Rhydymwyn (a-lge) 7-1 (Eddie Jebb 4, Danny Hughes 2, Dix)

Aug 27 – Flint Town United (a-lge) 1-0 (Dean Seager)

Aug 30 – Llandrindod Wells (a-lge) 8-0 (T Jones 3, M Evans 2, Gareth Evans, D Hughes, 1 own goal)

Sep 06 – Caersws (h-lge) 4-3 (M Evans 2, T Jones, G Evans)

Sep 10 – Rhyl (h-Word Cup) 1-1 (Peter Jones) – won on pens

Sep 13 – Holyhead Hotspur (a-lge) 0-1

Sep 16 – Porthmadog (a-lge) 0-0

Sep 20 – Flint Town United (a-Lge Cup) 1-1 (M Evans) – won on pens

Sep 23 – Bala Town (a-Word Cup) 1-3 (Lee Thomas)

Sep 27 – Penycae (h-lge) 5-1 (T Jones 2, G Evans, D Hughes, Jebb)

Oct 04 – Caersws (a-Welsh Cup) 0-1

Oct 18 – Conwy Borough (a-lge) 3-2 (James Joyce, P Jones, M Evans)

Oct 25 – Llanidloes Town (h-lge) 5-0 (D Hughes 2, Joe Williams, G Evans, M Evans)

Oct 28 – Caernarfon Town (h-lge) 1-0 (M Evans)

Nov 01 – Rhayader Town (a-lge) 3-3 (G Evans 2, M Evans)

Nov 15 – Guilsfield (h-lge) 0-2

Nov 22 – Buckley Town (h-lge) 3-1 (M Evans 2, G Evans)

Nov 29 – Denbigh Town (a-lge) 3-1 (T Jones, P Jones, 1 own goal)

Dec 06 – Mold Alex (h-lge) 3-1 (G Evans, D Hughes, M Evans)

Dec 13 – Rhydymwyn (h-lge) 4-0 (G Evans, M Evans, Dix, Thomas)

Dec 20 – Llandrindod Wells (h-lge) 11-0 (M Evans 3, Joyce 2, T Jones 2, G Evans, Dix, Leo Riley, P Jones)

Dec 27 – Flint Town United (h-lge) 5-0 (G Evans, Thomas, D Hughes, T Jones, M Evans)

Jan 10 – Caersws (a-Lge Cup) 1-3 (M Evans)

Jan 17 – Holyhead Hotspur (h-lge) 5-2 (Dix 2, Thomas, M Evans, P Jones)

Jan 24 – Porthmadog (h-lge) 1-0 (M Evans)

Feb 10 – Conwy Borough (h-lge) 4-0 (M Evans 2, Lewis Buckley, D Hughes)

Feb 14 – Llanidloes Town (a-lge) 1-1 (G Evans)

Feb 21 – Caernarfon Town (a-lge) 0-3

Feb 28 – Rhayader Town (h-lge) 4-0 (Richard Hinds, G Evans, Riley, Dix)

Mar 7 – Guilsfield (a-lge) 0-0

Mar 14 – Buckley Town (a-lge) 6-2 (G Evans 3, D Hughes, M Evans, T Jones)

Mar 20 – Denbigh Town (h-lge) 2-2 (T Jones, Buckley)

Mar 28 – Penycae (a-lge) 2-1 (M Evans, Joyce)

Apr 4 – Caersws (a-lge) 3-0 (Thomas, Greg Hall, D Hughes)

Total match record (league and cup)

Played 36

Won 25

Drawn 5

Lost 6

Goals For 105

Goals against 37

League record

Played 30

Won 22

Drawn 5

Lost 3

Goals For 96 

Goals Against 27

Goalscorers (all competitions)

28 – Marc Evans

16 – Gareth Evans

13 – Toby Jones

11 – Danny Hughes

7 – Tom Dix

5 – Lee Thomas, Eddie Jebb, Peter Jones

4 – James Joyce

2 – Leo Riley, Lewis Buckley, 2 own goals

1 – Richard Hinds, Greg Hall, Joe Williams, Dean Seager, Leigh Craven.

• Of course, when Llandudno joined the Welsh Premier League they were to make a stunning impact – finishing third (joint best ever position for a newly-promoted club) and reaching Europe at the first attempt…..but that’s a story for another day.