Llanrwst United announce name of new manager for 2022-23 season

Barry Owen’s long-standing association with Llanrwst United Football Club will enter a new chapter next season when he becomes first team manager at Parc Gwydir.

The well-known local football figure, who celebrates his 35th birthday next Saturday, will take over from Leighton Griffiths at the end of the current campaign.

Owen is currently assistant to Griffiths, the pair having led the Rwsters in a highly promising debut season in the tier 3 Ardal North West League.

“I’m absolutely delighted and proud that the club have given me another opportunity to manage my hometown club again,” said Owen. “Really looking forward to carrying on the work that Leighton has done and I hope we can have some great success moving forward.”

Barry started playing football for Llanrwst United at the age of seven, and represented North Wales Coast and county at every age group.

He represented Welsh Colleges in five-a-side, two years running at Loughborough, and also 11-a-side five times.

Barry was also part of the successful Llandrillo College Academy side that went to France and played the likes of Le Havre.

He debuted for Llanrwst United’s seniors in the Gwynedd League title-winning team of 2003/04. He then had a short stint at Llandudno, but returned to Llanrwst, becoming captain and later player-manager.

Between 2016-18, he was joint-manager of the Conwy Valley club alongside Rhodri Davies.

Barry stepped down in 2018, but returned to work alongside Leighton Griffiths for the 2020-21 campaign, which was cancelled due to Covid.

This season has seen Griffiths and Owen lead the Rwsters to the higher reaches of Ardal North West. They are currently fourth, with just four losses in 27 matches.