He’s once, twice, three times a Collier – six more exciting new North Wales football transfers
Here is another batch of transfers to catch the eye on the North Wales football scene.
Plenty more to come in the weeks ahead.
Joe Chaplin (Llandudno to Gresford Athletic)
Joe Chaplin cannot stay away from Gresford Athletic – he is about to join the Cymru North club for a third time!
The striker has agreed to re-sign for the Colliers as the club’s second addition of the 2023/24 season when the summer transfer window is open.
Joe started his career with Llandudno in 2009 before he moved to South Wales with Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2011.
Spells at Glan Conwy and Conwy Borough followed between 2014 and 2017, until the 30-year-old signed for Porthmadog in 2017, where he scored plenty of goals.
Joe then spent the 2018/19 season at Airbus UK Broughton, which was followed by a transfer to Colwyn Bay in 2019. He went on loan at Gresford for his first spell at the Wrexham club during the 2019/20 season, which proved to be very successful.
Athletic signed Joe permanently in 2021 and during his two spells at the club, he scored a total of 21 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions, finishing as the JD Cymru North’s fourth top goalscorer during 2021/22.
He signed for Llandudno in the summer of 2022 and helped the club finish third in the JD Cymru North, scoring 12 goals in 28 games in all competitions, before re-signing for Gresford for a third time.
Athletic manager Eddie Maurice-Jones believes that Joe is one of the best forwards around, saying: “It is fantastic news to announce the return of Joe Chaplin.
“Joe’s exceptional footballing ability and personality made a significant impact during his previous tenures with the club and makes the return even more exciting.
“Having a player who is highly regarded both on and off the field is invaluable. I consider Joe to be one of the best forwards around, with his talent, experience and high standards.
“Joe’s return will enhance the team dynamic and bring a positive influence to the entire squad.”
Joe’s sporting talents are not restricted to football! He has had a great start to the 2023 season for Mochdre in the North Wales Cricket League Premier Division, where he operates as an all-rounder.
Kane Roberts (Mynydd Llandegai to Bethesda Athletic)
One of the outstanding players in the North Wales Coast West Premier Division last season, scoring 10 goals in 26 games as an attacking player for Mynydd Llandegai.
Roberts looks totally ready for a step up in class with tier 3 Ardal North West newcomers Bethesda Athletic.
Manager Mark Hughes said: “Kane was the outstanding player we came across last season. That wasn’t just my opinion, but more importantly the lads who faced him on the pitch and therefore he was our main target to bring in.
“He’s gone under the radar a little which is to our benefit, but I think this is a huge signing for us. He’s versatile in that he can play across the front 4 and also a little deeper as an 8. More than that he’s eager to kick on and that’s exactly the type of hunger which has served us so well as a team over the past 2 seasons.”
Kallum Pierce (Aston Park Rangers to CPD Gronant)
One of the top goalscorers in North Wales football last season has signed for tier 5 Gronant.
Kallum Pierce netted 38 times last term – 36 for main club Aston Park Rangers and two in a short spell at Hawarden Rangers.
It is that quality of return which prompted Gronant chief Sandy Malone to chase Pierce’s signature.
“Kallum was something we missed last season,” said Malone. “Even though we had scored well over 120 goals, it was an old fashioned goal-scorer we looked at. After competing against him we kept tabs, as well as sending a club rep to watch him.
“What drew us to Kallum was basic. His goal scoring, but also his character as a person.
“As a management we look at different attributes. Our players are important and they click just in chat. We are obviously going to be excited to bring in a calibre of player such as Kallum.”
Joe Holt (Vauxhall Motors to Flint Mountain)
Midfielder Holt is Aden Shannon’s second summer signing for tier 3 club Flint Mountain.
Holt joins from Vauxhall Motors of the Northern Premier League Division One West.
He previously worked with Mountain manager Shannon at Runcorn Town.
Shannon had this to say on his new signing: “Absolutely made up to get this one over the line. I have worked with Joe at Runcorn and he’s a great addition to the squad. His attitude is first class and he will add goals to the team. He will fit perfectly into the team.”
James Rutter (to Holywell Town)
James Rutter, a TNS Academy graduate and former member of the Welsh Under 18’s squad, joins Holywell Town.
A quality player on the ball, and with a high intense work-rate, he looks like a perfect fit for the Cymru North club.
Wellmen manager Johnny Haseldin said: “I’m delighted to finally sign him.
“He is an intelligent and classy attacker who offers versatility in forward positions. This is evidenced in his passing ability and general creativity.”
Danny Holmes (Connah’s Quay Nomads to Colwyn Bay)
Brilliant signing for newly-promoted Cymru Premier club Bay.
It would be no exaggeration to say that Holmes is an all-time great of the Welsh Premier – a quality operator over so many seasons.
Holmes spent the last five years at Connah’s Quay Nomads, making over 140 appearances.
The 34-year-old defender won back-to-back Cymru Premier titles during his time at Deeside Stadium.
He also won the Nathaniel MG Cup in 2020 and 2022 as well as being part of the team to reach the Irn Bru Scottish Challenge Cup final in 2019 and featured in the club’s European campaigns.
Danny came through the ranks at Tranmere Rovers, where he would have two spells and has also played for The New Saints, Newport County, AFC Fylde, York City (where he won the FA Trophy) and Bangor City as well as loan spells at Southport and Fleetwood Town.
He joins his brother Tommy, Bay’s assistant manager, at the 4 Crosses Construction Arena and will combine playing with a coaching role.