Flint Town United land an early major signing

Flint Town United’s first signing of the close season is a big one!

Former Prestatyn Town and Connah’s Quay Nomads attacking player Rob Hughes has landed at Cae-y-Castell.

Hughes netted 22 goals in all competitions for Cymru North champions Prestatyn last season, 13 coming from the penalty spot.

He would no doubt have scored many more, but at the turn of this year the talented performer decided to leave the Seasiders and join Australian club Melbourne Knights for the rest of the season.

Hughes had previous experience of football down under from his time with Goulburn Valley Suns, whom he played for in 2017, scoring 12 goals in 16 matches.

The 28-year-old first made his mark in the Welsh Premier with Prestatyn late in the 2013-14 season.

He joined Rhyl the following campaign and spent three seasons at Belle Vue where he became renowned for scoring some remarkable goals.

After signing for Goulburn Valley Suns in January 2017, he returned to Wales and put pen to paper for Connah’s Quay Nomads.

He often impressed for the Deesiders, but at the start of 2019-20 he returned to Prestatyn, now in the Cymru North, and was a resounding success before deciding to continue his career in Australia.

It remains to be seen whether Flint can offer Hughes Cymru Premier football next season, or whether the Silkmen will remain in Cymru North.

Champions Prestatyn have been refused promotion to the top flight after failing on appeal to the FAW to attain the necessary criteria for the mandatory domestic licence.

Runners-up Flint finished 16 points behind the Seasiders, but if Prestatyn’s reported legal challenge against the FAW’s decision is dropped or is unsuccessful, the Silkmen will be eligible to go up, having secured the domestic licence.

Flint have also announced defender Tony Davies has left the club after one season, but skipper Richie Foulkes, Tom Kemp, Dom McHugh, Aaron Jones and Andy Brown have all re-signed.