North Wales football’s greatest stories No19 – Llandudno Albion’s rise to prominence
The town of Llandudno has celebrated some tremendous football successes over the past five years.
Llandudno FC lifted the 2014/15 Huws Gray Alliance title and went on to finish third in their debut Welsh Premier League campaign to qualify for Europe.
There has also been the emergence of Llandudno Amateurs, back-to-back champions in the Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League, as well as Llandudno Athletic, a one-time struggling team which has picked up their first trophy this term.
And Llandudno Ladies reached the FAW Women’s Welsh Cup Final in 2015/16.
Then we have Llandudno Albion.
Formed in 2014/15, Albion have picked up five trophies in as many seasons and secured three promotions up the pyramid.
When it comes to pure consistency, the Albion have flown the flag for Llandudno better than anyone.
In 2014/15, the club lifted the NWCFA Junior Cup at the first attempt – becoming the first Llandudno team ever to land the trophy. They defeated Trearddur Bay United Reserves 4-2 in a thrilling final at Bangor.
They also won the REM Jones Cup that season and gained promotion from Vale of Clwyd and Conwy Division One, as well as reaching the Presidents Cup final, where they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by quadruple winners Prestatyn Sports.
The following season saw Albion crowned Vale of Clwyd and Conwy Premier Division champions at the first time of asking and also made the finals of the NWCFA Intermediate Cup and Premier Cup.
Albion remarkable run of success continued in 2016/17 as they scooped the Welsh Alliance Division Two title, sealing a third successive promotion – this time to tier-three Division One.
Last season saw the silverware continue to flow as Albion lifted the prestigious Mawddach Challenge Cup and finish a very respectable seventh in Welsh Alliance Division One.
For the first four campaigns, manager Paul Cheung was assisted by Luke Regan and Karl Cheung, but this term Paul stepped down to take on a more promotional role and was replaced by former Llandudno Junction chief Darren Jones.
The current season took a little while to settle, but a superb run of results since Christmas has assured Albion of at least a best-ever Division One finish of third.
This constant progress has made the Albion a club Llandudno can feel truly proud of.
Llandudno Albion club honours
2014/15
NWCFA Junior Cup winners
REM Jones Cup winners
Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League Division One runners-up (promoted)
Presidents Cup finalists
2015/16
Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League Premier Division champions (promoted)
Premier Cup finalists
NWCFA Intermediate Cup finalists
2016/17
Welsh Alliance Division Two champions (promoted)
2017/18
Welsh Alliance Mawddach Challenge Cup winners