Holyhead Hotspur land top signings Jay Gibbs and Liam Morris

Holyhead Hotspur have proved they mean business on their return to Cymru North by landing two top-class signings today.

Midfield maestro Jay Gibbs and striker Liam Morris are the latest captures for Hotspur manager Darren Garmey.

They follow Jordie Murphy, Cai Powell Roberts, Leon Doran and the incomparable Mel McGinness as key players to arrive at the New Stadium this summer.

Gibbs returns to Hotspur for a SIXTH time.

He began his career with Holyhead, progressing through their youth system.

His performances for the junior sides soon secured him a move to Tranmere Rovers.

The emerging talent found himself signing a two-year scholarship and he became a regular in Shaun Garrett’s reserve side.

Jay also caught the eye of the Welsh selectors and he was capped at under-19 level, playing against Scotland and Ireland in 2010.

In December 2010 he decided to return to hometown club Hotspur.

He then signed for Caernarfon Town, playing three games and scoring four goals for Colin Saynor’s side, including a brace against his former team, before rejoining to Hotspur, where he was an instant success.

Jay netted 26 goals in 27 games during the 2011/12 season as Holyhead won the Welsh Alliance, Cookson Cup and Barritt Cup treble and were FAW Trophy runners-up. He capped off a fine year with a hat-trick versus England for the Welsh Colleges side.

Gibbs switched to Glantraeth ahead of the 2012/13 campaign, however after three goals in five games he was back at Holyhead, making 15 full and three substitute appearances, scoring six times.

His good form for the club continued during the 2013/14 season when he scored 17 goals from 30 outings, helping Hotspur finish ninth in the Cymru Alliance and lift the Meditel Gwynedd Cup.

Caernarfon Town manager Lee Dixon signed Jay for the 2014/15 Cymru Alliance campaign, however after scoring four goals in 12 games and one sub appearance he rejoined Holyhead in January 2015 grabbing a further five in 10 starts.

With a new manager in place at The Oval in Iwan Williams, Jay was back in the yellow and green in May 2015 and became an integral member of the side that won the Huws Gray Alliance title and League Cup.

However, due to the club failing in their bid for a domestic license the team were refused promotion. Jay had made 35 starts and 3 subs appearances, bagging 10 goals in that memorable season.

Jay began the following campaign at The Oval before deciding once again on a move back to Hotspur.

He then expressed a desire to re-sign for Caernarfon and was given another opportunity by manager Williams when returning to the club in December 2016.

Although Prestatyn ran away with the title, Jay did add another League Cup winner’s medal to his collection.

The 2017-18 season saw Jay finish up a Huws Gray Alliance League title winner for a second occasion with the Canaries.

Gibbs has since had a spell with Llandudno in the Welsh Premier, as well as stints with Porthmadog.

Jay is also another member of the successful Ynys Môn Island Games squad of 2019.

Jay Gibbs – main honours

Caernarfon Town: 2015/16 Cymru Alliance League Cup winners, Cymru Alliance League championship winners; 2016/17 League Cup Winners; 2017/18 Cymru Alliance League title winners.
Holyhead Hotspur: 2011/12 Welsh Alliance Division One title medal, Cookson Cup and Barritt Cup winner; 2013/14, Meditel Gwynedd Cup winner.
Ynys Môn: 2019 Inter-Island Games gold medal winner.
Representative: Wales Under-19; Welsh Colleges.

Speaking on Gibbs’ return to Hotspur, manager Garmey said: “Jay is someone who needs no introduction from me.

“On his day he is unplayable, has the ability to win matches and is among the finest players in the league.

“His eagerness to be part of what we have built here was clear to see and I am looking forward to bringing out the best in him.”

Anglesey lad Liam Morris joins Hotspur from Conwy Borough.
Liam started his career at Gaerwen but came to prominence at Llangefni Town where he helped Chris Roberts side win the Welsh Alliance Division One title.

His performances helped him seal a move to Cymru North side Borough last summer and he also played an important role in the 2019 Ynys Môn Inter-Island Games winning squad, scoring a cracking equaliser in the final.

Garmey added: “Liam is a player we have liked for a few seasons now. Technically he is as good as anyone around, and he will give us balance on the left side and a greater threat in the final third.”