Which stories have been the best read since Grassroots North Wales began ?

The most read story in the 18-month history of the Grassroots North Wales website is a Christmas tale about a Liverpool FC player.

Just a day after helping the Reds win the Fifa Club World Cup in Qatar, Neco Williams was back in his native North Wales joining in pre-Christmas celebrations with his local football team Cefn Albion.

And the story struck gold for views on Christmas Eve 2019 and beyond. The latest figure on January 2, 2021 was 3,921 hits.

Surely the most successful story in GNW’s short history overall, however, has to be Holyhead Rugby Club’s progression to the Welsh Shield semi-finals last January.

That piece has attracted 3,598 views in total.

Consider that the story is about a humble Division 3 North rugby club producing the cup run of its life, yet it pulled in almost as many clicks as an article on one of the world’s greatest football teams and their exciting young Wales international.

Here is a look at who and what has topped the charts under various categories since Grassroots North Wales went fully live on June 7, 2019.

ALL-TIME TOP 10 STORIES FOR VIEWS (7-7-2019 to 1-1-2021)

1 Neco Williams: Liverpool FC star back home for Christmas – 3,921 views
2 Holyhead Rugby: Island heroes make national semi-final – 3,598
3 Cefn Druids investment: news on a financial boost for WPL club – 3,347
4 Tier 4 & 5 clubs in Wales: told to ban player payments – 3,194
5 Tier 4 & 5 leagues: line-ups for 2019-20 – 3,009
6 Tiers 4 & 5: what happens next ? – 2,934
7 Neil Gibson: open statement after resignation from Prestatyn Town – 2,656
8 Potential 14 team Welsh Premier: talked about but never happened – 2,387
9 Jordan Hadaway: Flintshire man becomes UK’s youngest manager – 2,357
10 JD Cymru North: All combined stories – 2,293

NOTE: Interesting that no’s 4, 5 and 6 are all about lower level football in North Wales and scored very highly.
Proves that Grassroots is really popular and people want to read about it the most.
Tiers 1 and 2 can be read about in numerous locations on the internet.

MANAGERS ALL-TIME NORTH WALES FOOTBALL XI’S ARTICLES

1 Gareth Lloyd (Llangollen Town) 1,867 views
2 Johnny Haseldin (Holywell Town) 1,360
3 Steven Halliwell (Gresford Athletic) 1,350
4 Richard Williams-Cooke 1,239
5 David Williams-Cooke 1,059

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL TOP 5 ALL-TIME STORIES

1 North Wales League structure for 2019-20 decided – 1,488 views
2 Welcome to Llanystumdwy FC: introduction to team – 1,099
3 Dream start for Llanfairfechan Ladies – 1,096
4 Here come the Girls: 25 new signings for 2019-20 – 1,042
5 Yasmin Williams makes military history – 1,028

NETBALL ARTICLES

1 Arfon Ladies pip Arfon Celts in opening night cracker – 962
2 The 2019-20 North West Wales Junior League season is underway – 519
3 North West Wales League round-up (Nov 18) – 512
4 Gwynedd and Anglesey League 2019-20 winter season underway – 469
5 Menai Bridge edge thriller in North West Wales League – 440

MEET THE PLAYER ARTICLES (MALE)

1 Sean Sheridan (Llysfaen) 960 views
2 Ben Kearney (Brymbo) 702
3 Dylan Owen (Llanrug) 614
4 Elgan Roberts (Llannefydd) 609
5 Corey Sinnott (Gwalchmai) 585

FEMALE FOOTBALL FOCUS ARTICLES

1 Ruby McGilloway (Holywell) 933 views
2 Lia Roberts-Evans (Llanystumdwy) 651
3 Cara Hughes (Llandudno) 611
4 Magi Elin Hughes (Pwllheli) 606
5 Charley Smith (Amlwch Town) 568

MEET THE MANAGER ARTICLES (MEN’S FOOTBALL)

1 Carl Jones, Alan Jones, Steve Jones (Nefyn United) 805
2 Gareth Rhys Roberts (Brickfield Rangers) 787
3 Jordan Hadaway/Ethan Jones (Caerwys) 707
4 Karl Fenlon (Coedpoeth United) 685
5 Mike Gadie (Llay Welfare) 537

ALL-TIME WELSH PREMIER SURNAME XI (MEN’S)

1 Team Owen 632 views
2 Team Edwards 535
3 Team Griffiths 511
4 Team Williams 452

ALL-TIME WOMEN’S SURNAME XI

1 Team Jones 508

MY 5 BEST GOALS

1 Cory Williams 442

Scores below 435 not available