Huge signing for Llanelwy Athletic – ex-Wales and Cymru Premier goalkeeper joins tier 5 club

Manager Sandy Malone has become renowned for his ability to make good signings, but his latest might just be the best of the lot.

The Llanelwy Athletic boss has secured the services of former Cymru Premier League goalkeeper Aaron Jones from Flint Town United.

Jones, 22, was capped for Wales Under-17’s and U19’s and spent some of his early career with Everton before moving onto The New Saints, where he made his Welsh Premier debut in 2017-18 at Newtown in a 3-2 victory.

In 2018/19, he signed for Flint and spent three seasons with the Silkmen, where he was part of a squad which won promotion to the Cymru Premier and is now in its second campaign in the top-flight.

Jones now joins Llanelwy, who play in tier 5 North Wales Coast East Division One, but have ambitions to go higher.

Athletic are third in the table, 10 points behind leaders Cerrigydrudion but with six games in hand. They have won 11 out of 12 league matches to date.

Malone, former manager of Llanfairfechan Town and Llandudno Amateurs, where he enjoyed notable successes, has already made some top-quality signings recently, bringing in midfielder Danny Clarke from Denbigh Town, as well as Matt Pleavin and James Harrison from Rhyl All Stars.

But keeper Jones is the most eye-catching new recruit. He will juggle work commitments with representing Llanelwy.

Malone said: “A great signing and nice lad. Speaking with Aaron and inviting him along was in the hope we could get his signature. I know already he’s played at the highest league level in Wales, and at a young age I hope he enjoys his football here at our club.

“As a club we understand work commitments and that’s why we work harder off the pitch than most.

“We have signed some fantastic talent over the past two months, now we need to keep them and age the team. At this moment in time, we lack the time together spent playing beside one another.”