Ten new transfers to kick off 2023
The January transfer window is open. Grassroots North Wales highlights 10 new signings.
Tom Kemp (NFA to CPD Y Rhyl 1879)
This looks like a great fit for CPD Y Rhyl 1879 – a top-class defender with experience of playing in Europe and the Welsh Premier, as well as winning the Cymru Alliance League.
Tom, 28, joins the tier 3 Lilywhites from tier 5 club NFA
He spent last season in tier 4 with Prestatyn Sports, but before that truly hit the heights in the Welsh pyramid.
A very versatile defender who can play in either the full-back role or central defence if required, Tom was with Everton as a youngster before signing for Prestatyn Town in 2012.
He went on to make the bench for both of Town’s 2013-14 Europa League first qualifying round games against Latvia’s Liepajas Metalurgs, which the Welsh Premier side won on penalties.
Tom then twice came on as a substitute in the second qualifying round tie against HNK Rijeka of Croatia, which Town lost on aggregate.
In 2016-17, Tom was part of the Prestatyn squad which lifted the Cymru Alliance championship.
He represented the Seasiders in the Welsh Premier before switching to Flint Town United in 2018-19, where he celebrated promotion to the Welsh Premier with the Cae-y-Castell club the following campaign.
The defender made 74 first team appearances in all for Flint before deciding to join Sports in June 2021.
Tom captained NFA this season and played in 12 matches for the North Wales Coast East Division One club.
Carl Jones (to Bangor 1876)
Former Welsh Premier League goalkeeper Carl Jones is a cracking new year signing for Bangor 1876.
Carl, 28, represented Prestatyn Town in the top-flight in 2017-18, having joined the club the season before and winning the Cymru Alliance League title.
Last season he was a key member of the Bodedern Athletic side which won the tier 4 North Wales Coast West Premier Division crown.
He remained with Boded this season in tier 3 Ardal North West until the Anglesey club unfortunately disbanded in December.
Carl now tries his hand with another club in tier 3 – where he is an ideal fit and capable of higher – 1876.
The Holy Islander has also played previously for Holyhead Hotspur, Llanfairpwll and Gaerwen.
He is also an excellent cricketer for North Wales League champions Menai Bridge.
Bangor 1876 manager Michael Johnston said: “Carl is an excellent keeper and someone I’ve shared a dressing room with before. It was a huge shame what happened to Boded and no-one likes to see that.
“He was sought after by a lot of clubs and even though he knows that there is going to be stiff competition between him and Huw Shaw, he was keen to join us. This means the goalkeeping position is now very strong and this will be a massive benefit to us going forward.”
Aaron Hassall (Upton to Flint Mountain)
It’s a welcome return to North Wales football for the talented Aaron Hassall.
Hassall, 25, becomes Aden Shannon’s first signing of the January transfer window. A skilled midfielder, Hassall joins after a short stint at Upton.
The 25-year-old brings experience from Airbus, where he came through the academy, Llandudno, Rhyl, Denbigh Town and Gresford Athletic in the Welsh leagues and as a teenager, signed for Leicester City.
Mountain manager Shannon had this to say on his new signing: “Azza’s been training with us now for around six weeks and has got himself fit. The lad is a real talent and his technical ability is superb. He also brings a lot to the changing room and fits in well with the group which is important.
“I have tried to sign him everywhere I have been so I am really looking forward to finally working with him!”
Cory Williams (Conwy Borough to Holyhead Hotspur)
Much-travelled 27-year-old Cory has made Holyhead Hotspur his latest port of call.
The attacking player arrives at the New Stadium from fellow Cymru North club Conwy Borough, where he had a spell as assistant-manager.
Cory spent his early senior career at Caernarfon Town before two seasons with Hereford United.
A former pupil at Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, Caernarfon, Cory returned to The Oval and played in the famous 2013-14 Welsh Cup tie against The New Saints, where Town led 2-0 through Nathan Craig and a Darren Thomas wonder goal before eventually losing 3-2.
He moved on to Chester FC, returned to Caernarfon, then joined Colwyn Bay before a stint at Rhyl.
In 2017-18, Cory was a member of Conwy Borough side which landed a Welsh Alliance treble of league title, FAW Trophy and Cookson Cup.
After a spell with Llandudno, he returned to Caernarfon Town, then moved back to Conwy in 2021.
McKenzie Slaven (Llandudno FC to Llandudno Amateurs)
Big signing for the tier 5 Amateurs from fellow town club Llandudno of the tier 2 Cymru North.
McKenzie was Tudno U23’s captain but found himself involved in the first team this season and produced some excellent performances.
Due to a change in work commitments, McKenzie felt it was time to move on from Llandudno FC.
Amateurs managers Carl Nichols and Gaz Sharp said: “There were a lot of clubs McKenzie could have gone to in higher leagues, but he chose to come to us where he felt he could carry on enjoying his football, with a great group of players and challenging for silverware this season.
Llandudno manager Sean Eardley said: “Kenz has been brilliant for us this year when called upon. Due to ongoing work commitments he couldn’t commit week in week out so a move to the Amateurs made sense on both parts. He will be in good hands for sure, and I want to wish both Kenz and the Amateurs all the best for the remainder of the season.”
Nichols and Sharp added: “We are delighted that a player of McKenzie’s calibre would choose to join us from tier 2 football, when he could have gone to any club.
“Just shows how we are a team with ambition and we are happy that McKenzie feels that we were the best option to enjoy his football and wanted to be a part of the club, adding to a great squad of players.”
Joe Davis (Buckley Town to Flint Mountain)
The 17-year-old makes the switch from Buckley Town to Ardal North West outfit Flint Mountain.
An exciting young prospect, the central defender came through the youth ranks of Flint Town United and AFC Flint, before moving to Buckley in the summer.
Mountain manager Aden Shannon: “I have known Joe a long time and have coached him at schoolboy level and I’m really excited about helping him progress his career. For me, he is the best up and coming centre half around and his attitude is fantastic!”
Mike Sharples (to Ruthin Town)
Experienced central defender Sharples has returned to former club Ruthin Town.
His other previous clubs include Llandyrnog United, Denbigh, Rhyl, Connah’s Quay Nomads, Bala Town, Rhos Aelwyd, Conwy Borough and Porthmadog.
One of the highlights of the 33-year-old’s career was being part of the strong Denbigh Town side that was the first team outside the Cymru Premier to reach the Welsh Premier League Cup Final in 2016.
Inevitably, he attracted the attention of other clubs and joined Rhyl of the Welsh Premier the following season.
Sharples is a strong, reliable defender with a wealth of experience having played at all levels in the Welsh pyramid.
Frankie Antoine (Vauxhall Motors to Flint Mountain)
Subject to international clearance, Frankie Antoine is the third signing for Flint Mountain this window.
A winger that can also play up top, Frankie joins the tier 3 club from Vauxhall Motors and has also played for Oldham Athletic and Runcorn Town.
Mountain manager Aden Shannon: “Absolutely made up to get this one over the line. We had some big competition from some English clubs, but Frankie has decided he wants a change of scenery which is great for the club. I worked with him last year and he is a very exciting and talented player and I know the Mountain fans will love him!”
Craig Pritchard (to Denbigh Town)
The versatile Pritchard joins Denbigh for a third time.
In 2017-18, he was part of the Town squad which finished second in the Cymru Alliance.
He has also turned out for Gresford Athletic, Castell Alun Colts, Airbus UK Broughton, Cefn Druids, Llay Miners Welfare and Colwyn Bay.
In 2019, Craig moved outside of Wales to sign for New Zealand club Melville United and continued his career into England with Oswestry Town in January 2020 before rejoining Gresford.
The 25-year-old midfielder is brother to Michael, currently at Llanuchllyn.
Steffan Gittins (Penrhyncoch to Gresford Athletic)
Gresford Athletic have completed the signing of Steffan Gittins from Penrhyncoch.
Steffan is the Colliers’ first signing of the 2022/23 January transfer window.
The 22-year-old plays as a forward and started his career at Aberystwyth, playing for their youth teams between 2013 and 2017, alongside spells at Bow Street.
In 2018, he signed for Borth United and then Aberaeron before returning to Aberystwyth shortly after.
The young forward signed for Penrhyncoch in 2019 and started playing JD Cymru North football, alongside continuing to make appearances for Aberystwyth Youth for the 2019/20 season.
Solidifying himself at Penrhyncoch for two-and-a-half seasons, Steffan made 48 appearances in all competitions for the club, with seven coming during the 2022/23 season, scoring 12 goals, before now making the move to Gresford Athletic.
Gresford Athletic manager Eddie Maurice-Jones says that Steffan will bring a threat going forward.
He added: “I am really interested to see how Steff settles in. We already know what qualities he will add to the team – energy, speed and quality on the ball with good delivery.”