Loyal striker remains a Glannau player for 2023-24 season

It is not often that a club RETAINING a player is bigger news than making a big signing, but in the case of Harrison Bellis no statement could be more true.

The loyal goal machine has decided to remain with North Wales Coast East Division One side CPD Y Glannau this season despite receiving plenty of offers from elsewhere.

Since joining the St Asaph based club, Bellis has netted a stunning 76 goals in just 41 appearances.

Last season, he hit 62 and was second highest scorer in the whole of North Wales senior football, as well as the entire Tier 4. He was also NWCE Division One top scorer.

Harrison joined CPD Y Glannau from Rhyl All Stars in October 2021, scoring on debut against his old club.

He notched 14 goals in just 12 matches for the Llanelwy side in the remainder of that 2021-22 campaign, including three hat-tricks.

Last season was an amazing one for the 21-year-old, who has a twin brother Michael, a defender who also represents Y Glannau.

Harrison began the campaign with a hat-trick for Y Glannau against FC United of Wrexham in a 6-0 Welsh Cup qualifier victory and never looked back.

He ended up with 62 goals in 29 league and cup matches, finishing as the second highest marksman in North Wales senior soccer behind Trearddur Bay record-setter Asa Thomas (75).

Harrison helped Y Glannau reach their first major final – the REM Jones Cup – where they lost 5-3 to Abergele. Their star striker scored once in a thrilling game.

Here is how the goals went in during 2022-23

FC United of Wrexham (Welsh Cup) 6-0 (3 goals)
Llandudno Amateurs (North Wales Coast East Division One) 3-3 (2 goals)
Caer Clwyd (WC) 5-2 (1)
Rhyl All Stars (D1) 4-2 (2)
Mochdre Sports (FAW Trophy) 3-3 (lost pens – 2 goals)

CPD Y Felinheli (WC) 1-1 (lost on pens – 1 goal)
Bow FC (D1) 4-1 (1)
Rhyl All Stars (REM Jones Cup) 9-3 (3)
Llysfaen (D1) 5-2 (3)
Cemaes Bay (NWCFA Junior Cup) 1-2 (1)
Henllan (D1) 4-0 (2)
Llysfaen (REM) 10-0 (5)
Rhos United (D1) 2-4 (1)
Llysfaen (D1) 11-1 (6)
Abergele (D1) 3-4 (2)
Penrhyn Bay (D1) 3-1 (2)
Henllan (D1) 8-1 (7)
NFA (REM) 2-0 (1)
Penrhyn Bay (D1) 5-0 (4)
Abergele (D1) 3-3 (1)
Rhyl All Stars (D1) 7-0 (5)
Caer Clwyd (D1) 8-1 (5)
Abergele (REM) 3-5 (1)
Rhyl Dragons (D1) 3-2 (1)

In case anyone thought Harrison might be due a slow start to the 2023-24 season, he has already hit 13 goals in his first three warm-up games!

Y Glannau’s management of Christian Fontana and Danny Parsons are, as expected, delighted to have the services of their net-finder supreme for another season.

A statement said: “We’re thrilled to announce that Harrison Bellis has committed to Y Glannau for the upcoming season.

“His performance last season was outstanding, with 62 goals scored across all competitions. “Despite receiving many offers over the past few months, we’re delighted that he’s decided to stay with Y Glannau for another season and remain focused on our team.

“All of management have always said the number one aim is to keep every player from the previous campaign.

“We knew with the interest surrounding Harrison that this would be difficult, you hear rumours etc, but it’s now nice to confirm that Harrison is going nowhere and that is massive for us.

“Harrison is getting better and better, he really pushes himself to the max and has personal targets he wants to hit next season.

“Of course Harrison’s main aim is to score goals but he offers so much more than just goals, his movement is exceptional and his work rate and press is phenomenal.

“Last season Harrison won the players player of the year, he received the most internal man of the matches and of course won our club top goalscorer. Not only that – he won the league top goalscorer, which was a fantastic achievement.

“Harrison is one of the best young talents in the area and he has a bright future ahead of him.

“We hope that his goals next season will help contribute to taking Y Glannau to the next level.

“This season Harrison will be proudly sponsored by Vara Sports.”