Merry Christmas to the 50 footballers Grassroots North Wales most enjoyed writing about in 2023 – you have been awesome lads!
These are in NO PARTICULAR ORDER (although No 1 is perhaps my personal chart topper for the year).
Remember…it’s Christmas, this is a bit of fun and one man’s view.
With 69 goals in 33 games during 2023, Harrison is one of North Wales senior football’s top-scorers this year.
He’s been absolutely awesome, having also had a lot of goals removed from his record after clubs he scored against folded.
The most modest performer you could come across and he’s stayed totally loyal to Y Glannau – Santa’s No1!
So many goalkeepers are great characters and Richard is one of the best.
Made perhaps the best save I’ve seen in local football when he kept out a thunderous volley against Penrhyn Bay one-handed.
Always on hand to help when needed. Santa’s head reindeer!
If Asa is playing Santa anywhere this Christmas, his sack is probably full of footballs. He’s been filling nets all year for Trearddur Bay.
By my reckoning, Asa has pocketed 73 goals in 34 matches in 2023 (excluding one he scored versus Llandudno Amateurs in the FAW Trophy in September, which we’re still not sure if it counts as the game was abandoned – win awarded to Bay).
We think his career goals total is 682. Asa works alongside me on his stats, so we’ll always get it right between us.
Grassroots North Wales doesn’t cover the Cymru Premier much, but we cannot let this chance pass without mentioning Sion Bradley’s contribution to Caernarfon Town’s progress this season.
Named League Player of the Month in August, the Blaenau boy has been magnificent as an attacking force, really proving he belongs at Wales’ top domestic level.
Produced the most crunching tackle of the season for Bow against Penrhyn Bay. You could hear the effect in Prestatyn!
Great to see the Middleman name still going strong in North Wales football, with Stephen’s brother Shane also still doing the business for Bow.
Scored some crackers during the year, especially since the Bay have risen to the Cymru Premier.
Always a great performer, every season, but his media spotlight has deservedly increased in 2023-24.
With Prestatyn Sports folding, their ace striker Antonio Jacovelli joined Tier 4 newcomers NFA and has been outstanding so far, helping his team stay unbeaten with a 100% record in the North Wales Coast East Premier with a double-figure goals return.
Bangor 1876’s first season in Cymru North and their star striker is leading the league scorers chart on 14 (before Boxing Day).
During the year he reached 400 career goals at the age of just 26. Scored 31 goals in 36 games in 2023.
Refuse to refer to him as “Nay” as it sounds duff. but what a player he has been for Denbigh Town in 2023.
Hit 30 goals in 2022-23 as Town won the Ardal North West title and League Cup and has continued to flourish in the netting department at Cymru North level.
Been a prolific goal-getter for Tier 2 Mold throughout the year, reaching 150 for the club and struck six times in a 13-1 Welsh Cup mauling of Montgomery.
Former captain of Prestatyn Town in the Cymru Premier, David stepped down to Tier 4 level with St Asaph, helping them win the North Wales Coast East Premier Division, Cookson Cup and NWCFA Intermediate Cup treble in 2023.
At the age of 41, still doing a great job for Saints in Tier 3 Ardal North West, playing in 18 games across all competitions so far this season.
Captain and Mr Consistency where Llangefni are concerned.
This great defender has played in 31 matches this season and never lets the team down.
Hopes to be part of a promotion push in 2024.
Also performed well for Ynys Môn in their silver medal winning effort at the 2023 Island Games in Guernsey.
One of the best defenders in Ardal North West, he played a huge part in 1879 dominating top spot heading into 2024.
Has been a regular for most of 2023, featuring in 27 matches in all.
Cannot mention James without including his twin brother Alex in the list too.
Alex has been pretty much a constant starter since returning to action in February, playing in 27 games and netting 12 goals from his attacking midfield role. Best at what he does in Tier 3.
Worth a mention just for that free-kick winner at Pwllheli alone, but Jamie has been superb all through 2023, scoring some great goals, including a double in a brilliant 4-3 Nantlle Vale win at Rhyl 1879.
Every team needs a new hero to come along now and again and for Saltney it was 19-year-old John James King (better known as JJ) as between September and November he notched a series of vital goals for the Bordermen.
Perhaps the best was his second in a 2-2 draw at leaders CPD Y Rhyl 1879, the only game in which the Lilywhites dropped points in months.
JJ has recorded six goals this season, helping Saltney in their quest to remain in Tier 3.
His goals truly put him in the limelight throughout 2023.
Scored four times at the Island Games as Ynys Môn scooped the silver medal. Liam is now Anglesey’s third-highest scorer of all time at the Games (including the one-off 2019 Inter-Games Tournament) with seven.
He also produced vital goals towards Bangor 1876’s promotion to the Cymru North, including a crucial double in a 3-2 win at Flint Mountain and a priceless extra time strike which swung the Ardal Northern play-off final against Cefn Albion the blues’ way in May.
Complete midfielder who stands out at whatever level he plays – it’s the same every year.
Despite a difficult 2022-23 season with Holyhead Hotspur in the Cymru North, Jay still excelled with 11 goals, and since a move to Tier 4 with Trearddur Bay he has been as effective as ever.
His penalty-saving exploits for Ynys Môn at the Island Games did so much to guide the team into the final.
Has also come up with some outstanding displays for Bangor 1876 in the Cymru North this term, and even scored a last-gasp goal to force extra time in a Welsh Cup clash with Flint Town United, which the blues eventually lost on pens.
He simply always scores! Rejoined Llanrwst in January and has piled up 37 goals in 33 matches for the Conwy Valley club in 2023.
Is Gruff the greatest player to wear a Felinheli shirt since the club was formed in 1977?
With more than 350 appearances and well over 200 goals on his record, he’s got to be up there alongside the likes of Islwyn Owen, Terry Jones, Carwyn Dafydd, Daniel Hughes and Iwan Owen.
Gruff is still going well at Tier 3 level with 14 goals netted in 2023.
Five goals on his full first team debut in November for this tremendous prospect who has shone like a beacon for the very promising Caerwys under-19 side.
Since joining Caerwys in September, he has netted 18 goals in eight matches for the under-19’s.
Corwen have stood out as a team during their flying start to the 2023-24 campaign in the Tier 4 North East Wales Premier Division.
It has not been about individuals, successes so far have been achieved as a squad with goals coming from several sources.
However, with his 18 goals in 15 matches, and being the division’s top scorer on 11 in league games, Owen Cordiner deserves special mention.
Cordiner has netted seven in his last three games, including a hat-trick in a stunning 6-1 triumph at fellow high-flyers Rhostyllen.
He made his debut for Corwen at the start of this year, having previously played for Denbigh Town.
After rejoining the Park at the start of 2023, Latham went on to score a fantastic 31 goals in 18 matches until the end of the season, helping his team lift the North East Wales Premier title, as well as the Horace Wynne Cup and Mike Beech Trophy.
This season is not going as well for the Wrexham side, but Mikey has still bagged a steady eight goals in all competitions.
Since joining Lex this season from Brickfield Rangers, Kian has really made his mark having notched 11 goals for the Lawmen to date, as well as producing a number of dynamic performances.
How can you not mention a player who has amassed 49 goals in 27 games for his club in 2023?
Giles netted 39 goals for Acton in 2022-23 and is already on 37 this season from just 14 matches, including 31 in a Championship Division admittedly containing a few weaker sides.
His name could easily pass as a character from Albert Square, but football is the game of 40-year-old veteran Jonny Crossley, goal-getter supreme for Aston Park Rangers in the North East Wales Championship Division.
This season he has banged in 25 goals in 13 games, including 21 in 8 league matches.
Jimmy McGlone made his name as a prolific marksman for Flint Mountain in years gone by, but this season he has re-emerged as a net-finder for North East Wales Championship newcomers CPD Yr Wyddgrug, having pocketed 16 goals in seven league games.
With 17 assists for North East Wales Championship side Rhydymwyn this season, Joe Jones is playing as big a part as anyone in the revival of the former Tier 2 champions and twice FAW Trophy winners.
Lots of people are talking about this immensely talented youngster.
With 12 goals and five assists already for North East Wales Championship outfit Plas Madoc, it is easy to see why.
Began 2023 at Llanuwchllyn, but since joining North Wales Coast East Premier side Cerrigydrudion in September, he has made a huge impact.
Two four-goal hauls back-to-back against Abergele and Rhuddlan Town has been followed by a hat-trick versus Bro Cernyw. Fourteen goals in 11 games for his new club so far.
This immense talent scores goals on a regular basis. He has 10 in the league this season and netted 16 times in 23 outings during 2023.
Earlier in the year turned out for NFA and Prestatyn Sports, but since moving to Mochdre Sports he has found real consistency in front of goal, helping his team sit among the title challengers in the North Wales Coast East Premier Division.
Has to rank as the best footballer in Tier 5, which is little wonder considering his background with Football League clubs, as well as the likes of The New Saints, Bangor City, Llandudno and Colwyn Bay.
Joined Bow of North Wales East Division One this season and has been outstanding with 19 goals and 12 assists so far.
Really solid central defender who has excelled in his 15 first team appearances for Y Glannau in North Wales Coast East Division One this season.
Also very consistent at the back last season, helping Y Glannau reach the REM Jones Cup Final.
One of the best net-busters around. Has nabbed 21 goals this season to add to his 39 for the Amateurs in 2022-23.
Joined Gwalchmai at the start of 2023 from Llangefni Town and has been a cracking keeper for the Maes Meurig side, helping them reach top spot in the North Wales Coast West Premier Division this season.
In 2023, he made 21 appearances for the Anglesey side, 14 of those matches resulting in wins for Craig Evans’ men.
Caron was part of the Gwalch team which lifted the Cwpan Snowdonia Fire and Security Cup last season.
One of the stars of 2023, he started off at Trearddur Bay where he helped the team win the North Wales Coast West Division One title and Cup double.
Since joining Gwalchmai this season, the 20-year-old has really began to motor in the goals department.
In 2023, Kaine scored 11 goals in 20 matches for Trearddur (18 in total in the 2022-23 season), while since signing for Gwalchmaui he has netted 24 times in just 16 games. That is a total of 35 goals in 36 matches this year.
He was also on the scoresheet for Ynys Môn at the 2023 Island Games in Guernsey.
Made debut for Menai Bridge at the turn of the year after signing from Llangoed.
He featured in 28 matches for the Tigers in 2023, and played major roles in Welsh Cup and FAW Amateur Trophy giant-killing wins over CPD Y Rhyl 1879 and Radnor Valley respectively.
Featured for three clubs in 2023 – Porthmadog, Llanberis and Llanrug United, the latter being where he has really stood out.
Still just 29, this striker who has Welsh Premier and Europa League experience with Bangor City plays at Tier 4 level these days, but retains plenty of his magic.
He scored nine goals for Llanberis between February and May, while since taking his bow for Llanrug in August, McDaid has amassed 24 goals in 15 outings.
What a year for this 18-year-old wonder.
In 2023, Connor has scored 36 goals in 35 matches for Gwalchmai including seven hat-tricks, three of them in succession.
The teenage sensation knocked in 39 goals in the 2022-23 season and has 16 in the current campaign which sees Gwalch top of the North Wales Coast West Premier.
Connor’s three goals clinched the Cwpan Snowdonia Fire and Security Cup for Gwalchmai in May.
Season-after-season this remarkably consistent net-finder does the business at a good level for different clubs.
He began 2023 at Cymru North Porthmadog, scoring five times between January and April before really hitting a hot streak with Llanuwchllyn in Ardal North East from August.
Meilir has chalked up 22 goals in 16 games for Llan this season.
Former Chester and Chester City keeper, now 40, who has been in tremendous form for Tier 3 side Flint Mountain in 2023.
Has played in 25 matches for Mountain this year, helping them become one of the best sides in Ardal North West, as well as reaching the Welsh Cup quarter final and FAW Trophy last 16 this season.
Kicked off 2023 at Penycae, scoring three goals in five games, before joining Mountain in the summer.
One of the best headers of a ball in North Wales football and deadly at set pieces, Ellams has netted five times in 10 appearances for Flint Mountain so far.
Ranks among North Wales’ very finest all-round players.
Has netted 20 goals in 35 matches for Holywell Town in 2023, helping them finish Cymru North runners-up and win the NEWFA Challenge Cup last term.
Shortlisted for Cymru North Player of the Season in 2022-23. Exciting, rapid player always threatening to make something happen.
Absolute top-notch keeper with tremendous shot-stopping ability who starred for Holywell Town and Airbus in 2023.
Has helped Airbus claim leadership of Cymru North, playing 18 matches in total between the sticks so far.
Featured in 19 games for Holywell in the first half of 2023, keeping 11 clean sheets and lifting the NEWFA Challlenge Cup with the Wellmen. Cymru North Golden Glove of 2023.
Great player yet to truly catch fire this term but who in 2022-23 was outstanding for Albion, winning Managers Player of the Year and being named in the Ardal Northern Team of the Season.
Amassed 49 goals for Ruabon last season in just 36 appearances, lifting the North East Wales League Championship with newly-formed Rovers.
Facing a tougher test this term in the Premier Division, but has still managed seven goals in 13 appearances. In 2023, delivered 35 goals in total.
Mainly regarded as just a goalscorer in the 2022-23 season, when he netted 36 goals for Aston Park Rangers, but since joining Gronant this term has added so much more to his game.
Still putting away the goals for his new club, though, currently on 17 in all competitions in 2023-24.
Established defender playing as superbly as ever in a Flint Town United shirt.
A former Welsh Cup winner with Prestatyn Town, the 29-year-old played in 27 matches for the Silkmen in 2023, beginning the year in the Cymru Premier and ending it as a key man in a potential Cymru North title-chasing squad at the Essity Stadium.
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