Pre-season focus: Rhyl All Stars (North Wales Coast East Division One – tier 5)

Rhyl All Stars have recently made four new signings and announced a list of retained players for the 2023-24 season.

The tier 5 North Wales Coast East League Division One club, managed by Robert Cunnah, are shaping up well for the forthcoming campaign, with some good performances in friendlies.

Last season All Stars won the North Wales Coast East League Most Sporting Club of the Year award,

Robert Cunnah also won the North Wales Coast East League Secretary of the Year accolade.

Here are the new signings:

JOE SMITH (GLAN CONWY TO RHYL ALL STARS)
Position: Striker/Goalkeeper

Smith returns to the All Stars after a spell with Glan Conwy in tier 4 last season.
A fast-paced forward, he is always a nightmare for defences with relentless pressing throughout a game.
Joe joins as a striker to bolster the attacking options this season, while also coming in as second-choice goalkeeper.

Smith said: “I’m looking forward to being back and playing with my mates, while also getting back to that family feel of this team.
“I had a lot going on away from football last season and I look forward to pushing and helping the greens in any way I can this season.
“I look forward to helping the team get to their best this season, and having a good crack along the way, Up the greens!”

JOSHUA LALLY (BOW FC TO RHYL ALL STARS)
Position: Central midfield/CDM

Josh is a strong-tackling physical midfielder, who has a quality range of passing and is confident in possession of the ball.
He has been “Mr Assists” in pre-season, looking solid in the middle of the pitch.

Josh said: “I’m looking forward to playing under Rob as my new manager, and working with the other coaches and getting to know the lads in this team.
“My main aim this season is to help the team to achieve a stronger and better season than last, and continue to improve in every game.
“Of course it would be nice to pick up a trophy along the way, while also trying to help provide goals and assists.”

Manager Cunnah added: “I tried getting Josh to sign a few years back, when he wasn’t playing at the time as I knew he was quality.
“Last season he was captaining Bow FC Reserves, so we know we have brought in a leader on and off the pitch, as he has shown through pre-season.
“Josh is that old fashioned midfielder who isn’t afraid of a challenge and putting his body on the line, and it’s exactly what we need.
“He’s also shown an excellent range of passing, and good link up play with the forwards.”

CALLUM WHITE (BOW FC TO RHYL ALL STARS)
Position: Centre back/full back

A physical defender who can play anywhere across the back-line.
Callum has defended well throughout pre-season, working In several different defensive partnerships and playing smartly from out the back.

The new arrival said: “Really looking forward to a new challenge with a great group of lads.
“My personal goals this season are to improve my game time and become a regular starter within the team.
“I’m looking to help do what it takes to get the team on the right track towards promotion.”

Manager Cunnah added: “Callum came down at the start of pre-season looking for a fresh start, and he has really impressed us through his hard work.
“He’s been training with us for over 2 months now, and you can really see the difference in his game, he’s so much more confident in possession of the ball.
“He’s got some good minutes under his belt through pre-season, and you can see his game coming together after each fixture.
“He’s been solid in the air, and shown good positioning, whether he’s playing as a wide centre-back or as the man in the middle.”

KYLE LALLY (BOW FC TO RHYL ALL STARS)
Position: Striker

Kyle is a clinical forward who offers you plenty of goals and can also provide assists to his team-mates.
He has been a consistent goal-scorer in pre-season and proven himself a different customer for opposition defences.

Kyle said: “I’m really looking forward to the season with my new team-mates and working with the new management and coaches.
“My personal goal for this season is to help the team as much as I can through scoring goals and providing assists.
“My ambition for the team is to help us achieve the highest possible finish, and improve on what the team did last season.”

Manager Cunnah said: “Kyle is someone I had my eye on for a while, he’s always been calm and confident in front of goal.
“Last season’s stats speak for themselves really, he was consistently involved in the goals scored against his opponents, and we hope he can continue that for us this season.
“He’s had a really solid pre-season with us, getting himself on the scoresheet regularly, and he’s been linking up well with his strike partners.”

RETAINED LIST

Michael Williams (centre-back)
Elliott Maitland-Price (attacking-midfielder)
Luke Bradshaw (wing back/full-back)
Maurice Stringer (attacking midfield-forward)
Tyler Donnelly (forward)
Jacob Jones (centre-back/CDM)
Owen Hughes (wing-back/winger)
Jake Harris-Evans (centre-back/goalkeeper)
Lewis Evans (central-midfield)
Simon Thomas (central-midfield)
Shane Roberts (wing-back/winger)
Logan West (centre-back/wing-back)
Lee Pearce (centre-back)
Liam Curzon (goalkeeper)
Thomas Bamber (wing-back/centre-midfield)
Kieran David (centre-back)