Lilywhites legend Gareth Wilson picks his all-time best Rhyl FC squad

Rhyl FC great Gareth Wilson has featured in more Welsh Premier games than any other Lilywhites player.
So when it comes to picking an all-time best Rhyl WPL squad, the midfield ace is the perfect man to make the selections.

Gareth Wilson’s All-Time Rhyl Welsh Premier XI

Lee Kendall

Fantastic distribution (ahead of his time) and commanding goal keeper. Also infectious character and leader in the dressing room. Great lad who has gone on to become a hugely successful coach where he has achieved his A licence and is a potential pro licence candidate – currently first team coach at Barry WPL.

George Horan

Tremendous leader who is an imposing figure on and off the pitch. Great lad who would run through brick walls. Outwitted many a striker who would not relish playing against him. One of the fittest around which is testament to him still playing at the top level (competing for trophies) at 38. Very honest lad – you know where you stand with George. He either likes you or not. Although he has mellowed with age!

James Brewerton

Superb player and servant to Rhyl. Never played for the money and loved his time playing for his hometown club. Versatile, strong and hugely committed player. You would build a team around Brewi – another great lad with a quiet, witty sense of humour, a person I would trust with my life.

Tim Edwards

Old school centre half with tremendous leadership qualities. A colossus in the air and a huge threat at set pieces. Humble, honest and hard-working who demanded all of that from his team-mates. Funny, clever and loyal player who will probably go down as one of greatest centre backs in Rhyl’s history. Club legend.

Stuart Graves

Tough, resilient and talented player. Had the perfect balance and ability to attack and defend. I truly believe Gravesy could have played at a higher level. Was known as a hard man throughout the WPL and he was – but also a loyal, quiet and honest player who would back any of his teammates 100%. Sublime quality in final third and very rarely got beat when defending 1 on 1.

Marc Limbert

Unbelievable talent. Talisman for our 2004 quadruple success. Belief, confidence and hunger are the key words you would use with Limbo. Distribution and technique was second to none – his persistent hard work and strive to be better was infectious and made everyone better whether you were player, coach, kitman or physio. Always had a little spark in him (positively and negatively) and could easily win a game on his own. Pleasure to play alongside.

Steve Walters

Massively gifted and talented centre midfielder who would see things other players could not. His creativity and ability to arrive in the box at the right time was as good as anyone I have seen at Welsh Premier level – Chris Venables has similar traits. Steve Walters had sheer class in his left foot and was another down-to-earth lad inside and outside the dressing room.

Conall Murtagh

Exceptional player who had the ability to knit play and phases of play together. Underrated – very fit and clever football player. We worked well together and I still believe I got him the move to Wrexham 😂Another fantastic lad who has gone onto become first team fitness coach at Liverpool FC and is now Dr Conall Murtagh!

Lee Hunt

Absolute menace to any defender at any level. Another I believe could have shone at a higher level. Built his game on hard work and pressing from the front. Natural goal scorer. Anyone who has played with Lee will always pick him in their top WPL. Great person and WPL legend.

Lee Trundle

Very little I need to say. Phenomenal ability tricks, flicks and could score a variation of goals. Confident and charismatic – but also possessed humility in abundance. Went onto have a fantastic career. Easily the most talented player I have played with.

Neil Roberts

Superb traditional number 9 with an excellent goalscoring record. His hold up play and ability to bring in other players was his biggest asset. Very difficult to play against but easy to play with. Huge work rate, drive and ambition. Truly one of the nicest lads I have met who has time for everyone. Very distinguished career on and off the pitch and thoroughly deserved.

Other notable players

John Durnin

True quality and could turn a game with a moment of magic

Paul Smith

Arguably one of Rhyl’s best goalkeepers. Fantastic shot stopper who would give great confidence to his back 3 or 4. Great lad who was immense for Rhyl and later Bangor.

Andy Moran

Ultimate goal scorer. His ability to turn a ‘half chance ‘ into a goal was superb. Excellent feet and scored many a goal for Rhyl and others.

Gaz Owen

What a player and lad. Wrexham legend and all round box-to-box midfielder. Honest, hard-working and a set piece specialist.

Mark Connolly

Great attitude and Rhyl through and though. Dead-ball specialist and could play a number of positions and ould score goals from any of them. Another good lad who truly loved every minute at Rhyl whether he was a manager or player.

Simon Davies

Shaky had a wand of a left foot. Another like Steve Walters who had exceptional talent and read the game quicker than anyone else. I believe he would have played 200-300 English Premier League games if he was slightly quicker. Phenomenal football player who I had the opportunity to play alongside.

Mark Powell

The biggest moaner in any team I have played in. His standards were second to none. Consistency in whatever position he played was always excellent. He was never a 9 but always a 7/8 and never under – Gary Neville of the Welsh Premier. Could do a job in a number of positions and arguably will go down as one of Rhyl’s best right backs. If I was playing a 4-3-1-2 then he would have been my right back (captain material).

Craig Jones

Very quick and dynamic. Excellent end product and tough to play against on any day. Very hard to defend in a one versus one. Went onto have a fantastic career. Quiet but social-able lad who maximised his strengths and achieved lots in the WPL.