Happy birthday to the versatile Annmarie Jones

When Connah’s Quay Nomads were seeking experienced players to boost their newly-formed women’s team last season, then coach Sara Hilton managed to recruit one of the very best.

Annmarie Jones proved a key performer in the Deesiders’ successful first campaign, which saw them finish second and unbeaten in North Wales Women’s League Division Two, as well as reach the Welsh Cup semi-finals against all the odds.

The fact Annmarie slotted into a defensive role so comfortably typified the sort of versatility she has displayed throughout her career.

Best known as a forward with a prolific past scoring record, she can operate in any front-line position as well as an attacking midfielder.

When playing up front for former club Northop Hall, she was quick, good in the air with an eye for goal and also strong on the ball.

Her sense of positioning and movement off the ball made her very difficult to mark.

One of her leading admirers is former Denbigh Town manager John Clayton, who said: “When playing against her, when she was at Northop, I used to make a plan for dealing with her.

“It didn’t always work though as she’s a clever player.”

A popular character off the field, Annmarie is a player easy to like if she is on your side, but a fearsome opponent.

Although she can operate in many areas of the field, her defensive role for Nomads last season showed yet another side to her talents. She was also employed in central midfield on occasion.

Annmarie has to rate as one of the greatest players to emerge from the Northop Hall club over the years.

She won North Wales League titles with the Hall in 2015-16 and 2017-18, and represented the club in the Welsh Premier Women’s League.

Annmarie scored five goals when a 12-0 victory over Point wrapped up the 2015-16 North Wales crown.

And she proved vital as an assister and scorer when the Flintshire side lifted the 2017-18 championship.

Today marks her latest birthday and her social media pages are awash with greetings.

It is not easy to find a lot of information on Annmarie’s career on the internet, so I hope this tribute does her justice.