Mike Cunningham can look back with great pride on eight years in charge at Mold Alex

What a way for Mike Cunningham to say farewell after eight years as manager of Mold Alexandra!

Classed as underdogs ahead of Saturday’s Welsh Blood Service League Cup Final at Newtown against Cymru South champions Briton Ferry Llansawel, the Cymru North heroes from Alyn Park defied the odds by pulling off a momentous 4-2 victory.

Although Mold were not in the best of form heading into the final, they produced the goods on their big day and ensured departing boss Cunningham went out on a high note.

Two goals from top-marksman Danny Warren, putting him on 31 for the season, plus single strikes by captain and man of the match Rhys Nash and Jake Roberts sealed a famous North Wales triumph.

Eight years earlier, Cunningham’s opening game in charge of Mold as co-manager with Neil Wynne was on October 1, 2016, when his team whipped Llanberis 4-0 in the Welsh Cup first round.

Since then, the 37-year-old has led Alex to some great triumphs, none better than in 2021-22 when the Flintshire club achieved the double of Tier 3 Ardal North West champions and FAW Trophy winners, defeating Baglan Dragons 1-0 in the final.

The Cunningham-Wynne tenure did not start that well as in 2016-17, despite some promising results, Mold were relegated from the Cymru Alliance to the Welsh National League Premier Division.

The Alex spent three seasons at that level, achieving a trio of top-five finishes, before becoming founder members of the new Tier 3 Ardal North West in 2021-22, winning the title at the first attempt by an 11-point margin.

They went up to the Tier 2 Cymru North in 2022-23, finishing ninth before this season has seen them all but secure fourth spot – their best-ever placing in the T2 league.

Mike’s playing career was cut short in his early 20s due to an ankle problem having spent most of his time playing for Buckley Town.

His first job as a manager was with the now defunct Argoed United. In two seasons they won the Welsh National League Division One League Cup and narrowly missed out on promotion.

From there, Mike took over at Saltney Town where over four years the Bordermen held their own in the Welsh National and lost out in a league cup final.

Next he joined up with Wynne for the final part of the 2015-16 season at Lex, then the pair were offered the Rhydymwyn job.

After only seven games, the duo were approached to take over at Mold Alex and, subsequently working alongside various management team members, Mike spent the next eight years at Alyn Park.

With a Tier 3 league title and two national cups won, Mike can look back on his time at Mold proudly.

In the final chapter, along with co-manager Steve Monk, he has guided Alex to their highest Tier 2 league position.