Ten more of North Wales football’s latest transfers
Sam Jones (Llanrwst United to Llannefydd)
Happy birthday Sam Jones – 28 today (January 13).
Proven net-finder Sam started his senior football with Llannefydd before moving to Ruthin Town, Holywell Town, Denbigh Town and Llanrwst.
Delighted Llannefydd manager Gwyndaf Pritchard said: “Sam scores goals. Wherever he’s been he scores. With his pace and trickery and eye for goal we hope he will push us for the rest of the season.
“Sam is one of four brothers and we have three with us now , Sam, Ed and Mathew – with Tom playing his football with Llanrwst.”
One of Sam’s career highlights was scoring the winner for Denbigh Town in the 2015-16 Nathaniel MG Cup semi-final against Connah’s Quay Nomads. Town then lost to The New Saints in the final.
Ryan Goldston (Ruthin Town to Buckley Town)
Talented goalkeeper who at the young age of 24 has already packed plenty of adventures into his career with the gloves.
After six seasons with Ruthin since his return to the club in 2017-18, Ryan has now switched to another Cymru North outfit in Buckley Town.
Trotters manager Dan Moore said: “I’m excited to welcome Ryan, who is a proven and established goalkeeper, adding strength and know-how to our squad, providing healthy competition for Jim (McHarrie), and of course, depth in their position.”
Ryan started off at Ruthin Town U12’s before being scouted for Manchester United, where he was offered a six-week trial. He was at Shrewsbury Town for much of his youth.
After departing Gay Meadow, the young keeper had trials with Wrexham and TNS before going to Bala Town and joining their under-19’s squad.
During this time, he represented Wales Under-18’s against Ireland.
He had a season at Llandyrnog United in the Welsh Alliance before returning to Ruthin, then again signed for Bala of the Welsh Premier in January 2017.
Goldston was part of the Lakesiders’ squad which lifted the Welsh Cup for the first time in the club’s history in April 2017, beating TNS 2-1 in the final.
Ryan rejoined Ruthin in 2017-18 and made his first team debut aged 19.
Ryan Merrill (to Llay Welfare)
Has signed back for the club after a break from football due to work commitments.
Not a stranger to The Ring having been Llay’s player for the past three seasons.
Previous clubs include Penycae, Ruabon Rovers and Acton.
Aged 27, he is a ball-playing centre half who has great fitness levels. He reads the game well and is very composed on the ball.
The club is extremely happy to have Ryan back on board.
Conor Davies (Conwy Borough to Llanrwst United)
Super-fit forward who signs for Llanrwst from Conwy Borough, where he scored seven goals in 17 Cymru North matches this term.
Impressive last season at Glan Conwy, netting nine times in 10 games in the tier 4 North Wales Coast East Premier Division.
Davies had joined Glan in February 2022 after spending the first part of the campaign with Conwy, where the goals failed to flow.
Conor, 29, was with Glan in the former Welsh Alliance in 2019-20, hitting 20 goals in as many games before Covid ended the season early.
He was also with Glan the season before, his 13 goals helping them to the Welsh Alliance Division Two title.
In 2017-18, Davies was one of the scorers for Llandudno Albion in their 4-1 Mawddach Cup final victory over Llandyrnog United.
He found the net 14 times that season.
Davies will form part of an exciting new strike partnership at Llanrwst, with goal machine Callum Parry having recently returned to the club.
Luca Bennett (Rhuddlan Town to Denbigh Town)
Having impressed for Prestatyn Town in the Cymru North last season, both in the first team and Development side, this highly-rated 19-year-old joined Rhuddlan Town of the tier 4 North Wales Coast East Premier at the start of 2022-23.
He made 12 appearances for Rhuddlan before Ardal North West club Denbigh snapped him up in January.
Luca has started well at Central Park, coming on as a substitute along with younger brother Harvey in a 2-0 win over Llandudno Albion on January 6.
The siblings then both featured in Denbigh Town Reserves’ magnificent 3-2 win at Nantlle Vale in the FAW Reserve League North West the following day, Harvey pocketing a hat-trick.
And Luca appeared again as a sub in Denbigh’s thrashing of Brickfield Rangers on January 13. He is a tenacious box to box central midfielder who has a bright future ahead of him – definitely a young talent to watch.
Will Nevitt (Mold Alex to Llay Welfare)
Will, aged 20, is someone Llay have been monitoring since he joined Rhostyllen last season.
He is technically very good and gives his new side great options in all the forward positions.
Previous clubs include TNS Development squad, Rhostyllen and Mold Alexandra.
He signed for Mold at the start of the current season and made 14 appearances for the JD Cymru North side, although overall game time was limited.
In 2021-22, Nevitt notched 13 goals in 29 matches for Rhostyllen in Ardal North West.
Tom Jenkins (Wrexham to Gresford Athletic – LOAN)
Gresford have today completed the signing of Tom Jenkins on loan from Wrexham until the end of the season.
This is the club’s third signing of the 2022/23 January transfer window.
Tom first signed for Wrexham at Under 9s level in 2011 and has been at the club ever since.
The young midfielder has risen through the ranks at Wrexham, playing in their youth teams and eventually being named Wrexham youth team captain in 2020, before signing his first professional contract with the club in November 2021.
The 19-year-old has had some experience with the Wrexham first team squad and was included in their 2022/23 pre-season games, playing against LaLiga SmartBank side Leganes and Nottingham Forest U21’s.
He has now made the move to Gresford to gain his first experience in playing in the JD Cymru Leagues.
Mark Cadwallader (Flint Town United to Aberystwyth Town)
Highly experienced striker Cadwallader has joined Aberystwyth Town from JD Cymru Premier rivals Flint Town United.
Prior to signing for Flint in 2016, “Caddy” was with Rhyl FC for four seasons. Having graduated through Chester City’s youth system, Mark later enjoyed spells at Bangor City, Connah’s Quay, Northwich Victoria and Airbus UK.
Six-and-a-half prolific seasons followed with The Silkmen, where Mark was club top-scorer for the previous three campaigns and Supporters’ Player of the Season for 2019/20 as Flint gained promotion to the JD Cymru Premier.
Recently departing Cae y Castell, having netted 66 first team goals for the club, Mark now joins the Seasiders and offers a wealth of experience to the Town attack.
Kyle Hartleb (Bethesda Athletic to Bethesda Rovers)
Kyle joins tier 5 Bethesda Rovers from tier 4 North Wales Coast West Premier Division leaders Bethesda Athletic.
The 22-year-old has been a steady marksman for Athletic in recent seasons.
Rovers manager Tristan Walker said: “Kyle’s a great lad and a brilliant player. He’s known for his pace and having scored 16 goals in 29 appearances in the league last season he’s proved he’s deadly in front of goal too. He will be a brilliant addition to our squad and I’m confident he will hit the ground running and make an instant impact for us.”
Sion Phillips (Llanrug United to Llandudno)
Centre-back Sion Phillips has left Llanrug United and makes the step up to Llandudno of tier 2.
The defender is keen to get going and test himself at a higher level.
He said: “I’m really excited to be joining Llandudno and testing myself at a higher standard.
“I know a few of the lads, and they all speak very highly of the club, the manager and the fans and I’m very grateful for the opportunity, and can’t wait to get started.”
On leaving Llanrug, Phillips added: “It’s a good club and I have made lifelong friends over many years there. I wish them the very best of luck for the rest of the season, and will be keeping an eye on their results.”
Llandudno manager Sean Eardley said: “I’m looking forward to working with Sion. He came highly recommended and after speaking to him he was keen to make the step up to Tier 2.
“He’s strong and commanding and I’m looking forward to seeing him improve and develop at this level.”