My All-Time North Wales XI: Johnny Haseldin (Holywell Town manager)

Johnny Haseldin (centre – in between two officials) has chosen his All-Time North Wales XI. Picture: Lee Douglas

In the first of a new series we ask local football managers to pick their All-Time North Wales XI.

Players can be from any era. Managers can choose players they worshiped as a kid, played alongside, played against, managed or managed against.

Kicking us off is Holywell Town boss Johnny Haseldin, the only manager in history to lead a third-tier league team to the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup.

My All-Time North Wales XI – Johnny Haseldin

1 Dave Walsh

Ex-Wrexham GK was the best I played with, then later managed. ‘Goalie’ had a very safe pair of hands.

2 Darren Wild

Was more of a midfielder but moved back into defence as he got older. A leader and born winner. Nickname was Solid. Say no more.

3 Steven Thomas

Brilliant player with a wand of a left foot. Quick, skilful and leaves everything out on the pitch.

4 Jimmy Griffith

I grew up watching him play for Holywell then later played alongside him at Caerwys. Rolls Royce of a defender

5 Craig Knight

Ex-Wrexham. Played along side Knighty when I was younger and taught me a lot. Excellent defender that could read the game and good for a goal.

6 Darren Horne

Younger brother of Barry. Played into his 40’s. Class midfielder. The ball was like a magnet to him. Also seemed to have time on the ball and very rarely gave it away.

7 Tony Hogan

Tony bounced back from 2 leg breaks which says a lot about his character. Technically gifted with a eye for goal. Scored the Injury time winner in FAW Trophy final 2011.

8 Mark Connolly

Holywell manager Johnny Haseldin with his star signing Mark Connolly (right)

100 WPL goals and played in Europe he often reminds me. He has been brilliant signing for us this year, netting 21 goals for Holywell. A natural goalscorer and leader of men.

9 Ian Griffiths

Ian Griffiths celebrates a goal for Prestatyn

Scored Prestatyn’s first-ever goals in the Welsh Premier back in 2008-09. Griffo is a defender’s nightmare. Creates a lot of chances for himself and team mates from being relentless and aggressive.

10 Neil Davies

Probably one of the most prolific centre forwards I’ve seen. Played against him when he was at Bala. He had Welsh Premier experience at Bangor City, Connah’s Quay and Holywell Town, scoring 63 goals in 152 starts.

11 Shaun Beck

Shaun Beck

Record marksman in the Cymru Alliance. Fantastic player and goalscorer. Marked him out the game once and he still scored. His loyalty to his home town club Flint probably held him back from bigger things.