CPD Y Rhyl 1879’s latest signing has had a varied and impressive career

CPD Y Rhyl 1879’s latest signing arrives with a pretty impressive footballing CV.

Michael Walsh possesses two Welsh Cup winners’ medals, has represented Bangor City in Europe, scored in the Football League and had a spell playing abroad with a one-time high-flying Cypriot club.

The 34-year-old midfielder spent his youth career with Rhyl and Chester.

He joined Chester from the Lilywhites in 2004, making his first-team debut the following January as a substitute in an FA Cup tie at AFC Bournemouth in the left back slot.

Having captained the North Wales Under 18 squad against Scotland in 2004, Michael also appeared regularly for Chester’s Youth and Reserve sides, but took advantage of his few senior opportunities under manager Ian Rush, scoring his debut league goal v Southend in March 2005.

Liverpool-born, he also trialled for Wrexham during the 2005 close season and briefly returned to Rhyl before joining Bangor City in September 2005.

Walsh spent four successful seasons with Bangor, playing in 120 first-team games (106 starts) and scoring 15 goals.

He was in the team which won the Welsh Cup in 2007-08, beating Llanelli 4-2 in the final after extra time, and was celebrating again 12 months later as City defeated Aberystwyth 2-0 in the showpiece game of Wales’ premier knockout.

In 2008-09, Walsh played in both legs of Bangor’s Europa League tie against FC Midtjylland of Denmark.

Walsh left Farrar Road in 2009 for a two-year spell with Marfin Laiki League side APOP Kinyras Peyias of Cyprus.

The club was on the up when Walsh joined, having won the Cypriot Cup and twice being crowned Division Two champions.

In 2011, after four consecutive seasons in Division One, the club was relegated and following various scandals was dissolved in 2012.

Walsh had left in 2011, rejoining Bangor City and representing them against HJK Helsinki in the Champions League before moving to Aberystwyth Town in January 2012.

He was back at Rhyl in 2013-14 on the club’s return to the Welsh Premier League after three seasons’ absence.

Walsh was a regular, passing 200 total WPL appearances before the Lilywhites were relegated in 2016-17.

He missed a large part of 2017-18 and all of 2018-19 through injury.

Last season saw him have spells at St Asaph City and Holywell Town.

Next up is another challenge in familiar territory at Belle Vue in tier 4 with newly-formed CPD Y Rhyl 1879.

1879 manager Gareth Thomas said: “I’m delighted with the capture of Mike.

“He has vast experience and again will be vital around the youngsters. He is really looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

Michael Walsh career CV (subject to confirmation)

Rhyl youth 2002-04
Chester City youth 2004-05
Chester City senior 2005
Rhyl FC 2005
Bangor City 2005-09
APOP Kinyras Peyias 2009-11
Bangor City 2011-12
Aberystwyth Town 2012-13
Rhyl FC 2013-19
St Asaph City 2019-20
Holywell Town 2019-20
CPD Y Rhyl 2020-21