Fifteen North Wales transfers to start off 2024
Cian Glyn Owen (Llanfairpwll to Gwalchmai)
Exciting start to 2024 for this young talent as he joins North Wales Coast West Premier Division leaders Gwalchmai from Llanfairpwll.
The 20-year-old midfielder had two great seasons with Llanfair, who he signed for after successful spells in junior football with Llandudno FC Academy and Llangefni Town.
In 2023, Cian was in the Ynys Môn men’s squad which won silver at the International Island Games in Guernsey.
A move to Gwalchmai represents the biggest step yet in Cian’s football career. He is a great role model, dedicated to his sport and good to friends and family.
Gwalch said in a statement: “Cian is a player that Craig Evans had his eyes on at the beginning of the season but wasn’t able to get a deal done.
“Finally Evans managed to lure him in the January window with a few other clubs also in the mix for the midfielder. Cian has a lot of qualities to his game that we’ll be looking forward to see in a black and white jersey.”
Shaun Lock (Bangor 1876 to Bethesda Athletic)
Famed for his long throws, Bethesda have signed a diamond who will give every last ounce of energy for whoever he plays for.
Shaun was a Gwynedd Football League championship and Meditel Cwpan Gwynedd winner with Menai Bridge Tigers in the 2018-19 season,
A versatile player who can operate in both defence and midfield, he also had a previous stint at Bethesda as well as representing Beaumaris Town, Gaerwen and Glantraeth, winning a Welsh Alliance Football League Division One championship medal with the latter in 2016-17.
Shaun scored the last goal of 1879’s debut 2019-20 season, firing in a long range effort away to Llysfaen in a 5-0 NWCFA Junior Cup quarter-final win.
While he has remained an important member of the Bangor squad over the past two seasons, Shaun has joined Pesda to gain more regular game time.
Gethin Thomas (Bangor 1876 to Porthmadog)
Formerly with Porthmadog and Nantlle Vale, Gethin debuted for Bangor 1876 at the start of 2021-22 and netted eight goals in his first six games before a serious injury sidelined him fo six months.
He returned in February 2022 and resumed his impressive scoring run, helping 1876 win the North Wales Coast West Premier Division Cup and earn promotion to the Tier 3 Ardal North West. He notched 17 goals in 23 appearances that season.
Gethin was less of a regular starter last season, but featured in 33 games and grsbbed seven goals as Bangor were elevated to the Tier 2 Cymru North via the play-offs.
This season saw the attacking midfielder play 18 times for 1876 before deciding on a return to fellow Cymru North club Porthmadog.
Jamie Breese (Llanidloes Town to Holywell Town)
Holywell Town have strengthened their striking options by signing experienced campaigner Jamie Breese from Llanidloes Town.
The 31 year old ex-Newtown academy player rose to prominence during his first spell at Llanidloes from 2012 to 2015 before switching to Caernarfon Town.
Breese spent five memorable seasons with the Canaries, where he netted 98 goals in 170 appearances in all competitions.
The front man joined the Canaries in summer 2015, having been Cymru Alliance player of the season and league top-scorer the campaign before at Llanidloes.
He was an instant hit with the Cofis, topping the club scoring chart three seasons in a row, bagging 32 in 2015/16, plus 27 in both 2016/17 and 2017/18.
In two of those seasons, Caernarfon won the Cymru Alliance, the latter success securing them a return to the Cymru Premier after a 10-year absence.
The goals dried up somewhat in the Welsh Premier, Breese bagging just 11 over two seasons before he left The Oval and returned to Newtown in 2020, but an unproductive spell at Latham Park ended in him rejoining Llanidloes in the summer of 2022.
He notched 16 goals for the Daffs in 2022-23 and was on 10 this season, which has seen the Powys club struggle badly in the Cymru North, before opting to join the Wellmen.
Shaun Cavanagh (Porthmadog to Aberystwyth Town)
Porthmadog’s top-scorer this season has decided to give the Cymru Premier another go.
Cavanagh, 26, made his senior debut for Bangor City as a late substitute in a 1-0 Word Cup defeat at Prestatyn on September 23, 2014, at the age of 16.
He went on to appear in 34 first-team games for Bangor, 26 of them as a substitute, and scored four goals.
Cavanagh joined Llandudno at the start of 2017-18, but by January 2018 had moved on to Cymru Alliance high-flyers Caernarfon Town.
The season ended in joy for Shaun and his team-mates as the Cofis landed the Cymru Alliance League title to secure a long-awaited return to the Welsh Premier.
However, first-team chances had been limited for the Canaries and in 2018-19 Shaun signed for Porthmadog, where he finished top-scorer with 12 goals in 22 starts as the Traeth men finished third in the Cymru Alliance.
Shaun rejoined now Welsh Premier club Caernarfon in 2019-20, but was back at Porthmadog in January 2020 where he again made a big impact, scoring six times in four matches.
Prestatyn was his next stop as he signed for the Cymru North title-holders in June 2020, but due to the coronavirus pandemic all but wiping out North Wales football, he did not kick a ball for the Seasiders.
After a spell back at Llandudno, Cavanagh rejoined Porthmadog in July 2023 and bagged a hat-trick in seven minutes in his game back – a Nathaniel MG Cup victory over Llanidloes.
A pacy, skilful forward or attacking midfielder, his next mission is to help Aber stay in the Cymru Premier.
Dion Jones (Llandudno Junction to Bangor 1876)
Former 1876 player returns to Nantporth.
Dion Jones will be familiar to many 1876 fans as he played for them at the start of their 2019-20 debut season before leaving due to work commitments.
Dion was part of the academy at Llandudno before moving to Chester, where he captained their youth side. He is a versatile 23 year old player who can operate in both midfield and defence. Dion has recently played for Llandudno Junction.
Bangor 1876 manager Michael Johnston said: “Dion is a player we all know, he was with us during our first season before he left for the army. He is an extremely talented player and is versatile with his positions. It will be great to see him back in blue.”
Jake Jones (Chirk AAA to Porthmadog)
Joins Porthmadog from Chirk AAA, for whom he last featured in 2022-23.
Jones has been working and travelling in New Zealand these past few months.
Local to Porthmadog, the 25-year-old has played for the club before, as well as Llangefni Town. He is a right-sided player and will fit into Stephen Williams’ squad perfectly.
Morgan Owen (Porthmadog to Caernarfon Town)
Talented young addition for a Caernarfon squad which has eyes on securing a top six place for the second phase of the Cymru Premier season.
This 23-year old moved to Porthmadog in July 2023, but is now aiming to make an impact in the top flight.
Caernarfon manager, Richard Davies, is very happy to have secured the services of the highly-rated Morgan:
“I’m happy to be able to bring Morgan to Caernarfon. He fits the type of player we want to bring into the club, someone who is ready to work hard, is full of energy and always gives everything to the shirt. He will definitely strengthen our squad.”
A product of the Llandudno FC Academy, Morgan also spent a short period with Colwyn Bay and also a loan spell at Glan Conwy, before being brought back to Maesdu Park by Sean Eardley. A strong, powerful right sided defender who has also played in midfield.
Dan Atkins (Prestatyn Town to Colwyn Bay)
Exciting young attacker gets his chance to shine in the Cymru Premier after two good seasons with Prestatyn Town.
The 22-year-old netted 28 Cymru North goals in 41 appearances for the Seasiders, and bagged 34 from 52 games in all competitions.
Atkins was JD Cymru North Young Player of the Season for 2022/23 with 22 goals to finish joint top scorer in the division in his debut campaign for the Seasiders.
Bay manager Steve Evans said: “We are delighted to get Dan over the line. “He’s been lighting up the Cymru North for a few seasons now.
“He’s a quick exciting young talent who knows where the net is.
“I’m looking forward to working with Dan. He’s hungry to prove himself at this level
“He’s got a great attitude and work rate and I’m sure he’ll be getting the Seagulls off their seats with his ability to go past players.”
Mike Pearson (Cefn Albion to Holywell Town)
One of the finest defenders to feature in the Cymru Premier League has started the latest chapter of his long career at Holywell Town.
Mike Pearson joins the Wellmen aiming to help their quest to land the 2023-24 Cymru North title.
An experienced centre-half, Bangor-born Pearson, 35, began his career with Oldham Athletic.
He went through the Latics’ youth system and made several appearances for the reserve team before being promoted to the firsts.
Pearson made his first-team debut against Millwall in a 2-1 loss on February 17, 2007, and managed just one further appearance before being released at the end of 2007/08, having also been on loan at Farsley Celtic.
The defender joined Conference National team Barrow, where he was to spend the next five years, playing in 151 games. They included an FA Cup tie against Premier League Middlesbrough in 2008/09, where Pearson suffered a double leg break in a challenge with Marvin Emnes. The Welshman recovered well and remained with the Bluebirds until they were relegated in 2012/13.
Pearson began his Welsh Premier tenure with Airbus UK Broughton in 2013/14, going on to spend three seasons at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium and appearing 84 times for the Wingmakers.
In 2016/17, Pearson moved to Connah’s Quay Nomads, making his debut in a tremendous 1-0 Europa League win over HJK Helsinki of Finland.
Twice named in the Welsh Premier League team of the season, the Wales C, under-15 and U-16 international endured a difficult 2018-19 campaign at relegated Llandudno.
He switched to Caernarfon Town in 2019-20, returned to Llandudno, took a break from football and his last club was Tier 3 Cefn Albion, where he made 12 appearances this season.
Dion Gibbins (Cefn Albion to Denbigh Town)
Long-serving Gibbins has left Cefn Albion to seek a new challenge in the Cymru North with Denbigh Town.
The 24-year-old joined the Albion in 2016 at the age of 16, quickly earning his place in the first team and making a significant impact as the club rose the pyramid and collected numerous trophies.
One of his proudest moments came in 2018-19, when he was man of the match as the Cefners beat Pontardawe Town 4-0 in the FAW Trophy Final at Aberystwyth.
Paying tribute to the departing player, Cefn Albion said on social media: “As a committed local player, he became an integral part of our team for over six and a half seasons. Despite our desire for him to stay and contribute to our promotion aspirations this season, Dion has decided that the time is right for him to make the move from Cefn Albion.
“We extend our thanks to Dion for his commitment and valuable contributions throughout the years. While his departure brings a sense of disappointment, CAFC would never stand in the way of a player who wishes to leave, we wish him the very best as he embarks on this new chapter.”
Nick Grogan (TNS to Buckley Town – LOAN)
Promising young defender joins Buckley on loan from The New Saints.
The 20-year-old has also played at Llandudno, Cefn Druids and most recently was on loan at Airbus.
Grogan has featured in 14 matches this season for the current Cymru North leaders, mainly as a substitute.
Jamie Reed (to Buckley Town)
He has played for 21 different clubs in a career which includes two league titles and more than 100 goals at Welsh Premier level.
Now, at the age of 36. Jamie Reed is relishing the opportunity of a new adventure with Cymru North club Buckley Town.
Reed’s first experience in management came with Airbus last season, but in April 2023 he left the club after an unsuccessful battle against relegation which saw the Wingmakers fail to register a single Cymru Premier win.
It was a very tough baptism for the former York City, Bangor City and Rhyl striker, who has notched in excess of 200 goals in around 400 games since he joined Wrexham as a teenager in 2005.
Now he is looking forward to concentrating on playing again under Bucks manager Asa Hamilton.
Reid’s senior clubs since 2005-06 are (some he signed for more than once): Wrexham, Glentoran (loan), Colwyn Bay (loan), Aberystwyth Town (loan), Tamworth (loan), Rhyl, Bangor City, Dandenong Thunder (loan), York City, Cambridge United (loan), Chester, South Melbourne, The New Saints, Aberystwyth Town (loan), Llandudno, Bangor City, Llandudno, Newtown, Ashton United, Northwich Victoria, Cefn Druids, Aberystwyth Town, Prestatyn Town,1874 Northwich, Airbus and Buckley Town.
Mason Turpin (Llangefni Town to Bethesda Athletic)
Former Llangoed player and assistant-manager for the Bangor University side, Mason moves to Parc Meurig after a spell with Tier 3 Llangefni.
Pesda manager Mark Hughes said: “Mason is an offensive player who comes highly rated from the University players in the squad and from what I understand, aside from the quality, has that little bit of devil in him which again I feel we need.”
Mason Turpin – an absolutely perfect name for a Rocky Balboa opponent.
Lewis Sirrell (to Flint Town United)
Flint Town United have signed the ideal player in their quest to win the 2023-24 Cymru North title.
Giant defender Lewis Sirrell won the same league with Colwyn Bay last season, so knows exactly what it takes.
Primarily a left-sided defensive player, who can also slot into midfield, his versatility will give Lee Fowler various options as the Silkmen embark on the crucial second half of the league campaign.
Born in the North East, Lewis began his footballing career with Middlesbrough’s Academy before moving onto Gateshead and then to Ostersunds FK in Sweden.
In recent years he has played for a number of clubs in the North Wales area, such as Llandudno Junction, Llandudno, Denbigh Town and the Bay, moving to the Seasiders in July 2020. In his first season with the Seagulls, he was voted Supporters’ Player of the Season.
We wonder if the Flint fans might begin chanting ‘Nice one Sirrell’ this season? Or would many of them not relate to our fond recollection?