Transfers and departures – plenty happening on the North Wales football scene
Many thanks to all clubs for their help with information and pictures on the below transfers and departures.
GRESFORD ATHLETIC
Jonathan Hill-Dunt departs
Hill-Dunt has left his role as Gresford Athletic first team assistant-manager and is believed to be taking up a new post at Welsh Cup holders Connah’s Quay Nomads.
The former goalkeeper, known to many as Dunty, had been with Gresford since April 2021 following his playing career retirement, working alongside first-team manager Eddie Maurice-Jones.
In his playing days, Hill-Dunt cemented a legendary status in Welsh football, mainly through his achievements at Prestatyn Town, where he put in a man of the match performance in the 2012/13 JD Welsh Cup Final for the Seasiders in their win over Bangor City and representing the club in the UEFA Europa League.
He also played for Gresford Athletic for three seasons across two spells before announcing his retirement upon the cancellation of the 2020/21 JD Cymru North season and moving onto the touchline for The Colliers.
Eddie Maurice-Jones said: “I’d like to thank Dunty for his exceptional service to the club and the close working relationship we had, particularly in recent seasons.
“We’ve had our challenges, but it’s always been enjoyable and rewarding to be working with a mate.
“It will be an odd feeling to not be in constant communication about the smallest details, but I’m sure we’ll find something new to debate about.”
Dave Forbes (Holywell Town to Gresford Athletic)
Top-quality striker Dave Forbes has joined Gresford from Holywell Town.
He is the 12th signing for the first team during the 2024/25 summer transfer window.
Forbes began his career in England with Heswall, before making the move to Welsh football in 2012, signing for Rhyl in the Cymru Alliance.
He stayed with the Lilywhites for three seasons, which included being part of an unbeaten 2012/13 campaign as Cymru Alliance champions, until he joined Connah’s Quay Nomads in January 2015.
The 36-year-old signed for Cefn Druids in the summer of 2015 and, following a successful 2015/16 season returned to England by joining Runcorn Town, as well as having spells at Nantwich Town, City of Liverpool, Dock and Vauxhall Motors over the next four years.
Forbes made his return to Welsh football when he signed for Holywell Town in 2021. He earned the 2022/23 joint-Top Goalscorer of the Season with 22 goals in 30 league games, as well helping the club cement itself as a real force in Tier 2, securing the JD Cymru North title during the 2023/24 season.
Gresford Athletic first-team manager Eddie Maurice-Jones said: “I am delighted to bring a player of Dave’s quality in.
“His leadership, experience and high standards will be a positive influence on the group.
“Dave joins from Holywell Town, where he’s developed a winning mentality and understands what’s needed to win football matches.”
Robbie Jones (Airbus UK Broughton to Gresford Athletic)
Gresford have completed the signing of Robbie Jones from Airbus.
Jones started his career at Hawarden Rangers, before signing for Ewloe Harriers as a youth player between 2016 and 2018, until Flint Town United snapped him up.
He spent three years at The Silkmen whilst also playing for Halkyn United’s junior teams and then moved onto Connah’s Quay Nomads in 2020 before switching to Airbus UK Broughton during the 2022/23 January transfer window.
The 19-year-old represented both the Development Team and Reserves for The Wingmakers during his time at the club, making 60 appearances for both teams and scoring 20 goals, whilst also being named in Airbus UK Broughton first team squads three times. He also earned the club’s Reserve Players’ Player of the Season to cap off a great 2023/24 campaign.
He now makes the switch to Gresford Athletic, looking to make an impact in the first team squad and provide some valuable competition on the wings.
PRESTATYN TOWN
Tom Weir (on loan from Colwyn Bay)
A skilful, exciting player with an eye for goal, Weir is back with a club where he was vital in their survival last season.
He netted a number of key goals, including the point-earning equaliser versus Gresford which kept Town in the Cymru North.
He first played for Prestatyn as a schoolboy in 2013 before joining Rhyl and then Denbigh Town. He also had a short spell at Colwyn Bay.
The forward moved to Connah’s Quay Nomads for four seasons, playing for their academy, and was then promoted to the first team squad before landing back at Rhyl in 2020.
Weir signed for Flint Town United in 2021 before joining Conwy Borough in the 2021/22 January transfer window.
Later had stints with Gresford Athletic and Tier 5 club Bow before rejoining Denbigh Town last season.
He signed for Colwyn Bay this season on the Seagulls return to Tier 2.
Jacob Barratt (on loan from Colwyn Bay)
Pacy forward lands at Bastion Gardens on loan from Colwyn Bay and has plenty of high-level experience having played for the likes of Denbigh Town, Gresford Athletic Mold Alex and Porthmadog.
First played for The New Saints in their academy in 2014, before signing for Colwyn Bay in 2016.
A season at the Bay led to a move to Connah’s Quay Nomads in 2017/18, where he progressed through the academy, making his way into a number of Cymru Premier matchday squads for the club.
Barratt then signed for Denbigh Town in 2019 and found the net 13 times in 29 games during 2021-22 when Town were in Ardal North West.
Further moves to Gresford and Mold Alex ensued.
Ray Knight (Conwy Borough to Prestatyn Town)
After a fine start to 2023-24 in front of goal for Conwy Borough, Knight has earned himself a move to Tier 2 with Prestatyn.
The 30-year-old had previous spells with St Asaph City and Rhuddlan Town.
In 2022-23 he was part of the Saints squad which won a terrific treble of North Wales Coast East Premier Division title, NWCFA Intermediate Cup and Cookson Cup.
HOLYWELL TOWN
Mark Winslade (Llandudno to Holywell Town)
After a short stint with Llandudno, Winslade is back at Holywell. who he left at the end of last season’s Cymru North championship-winning campaign.
Forward player Winslade previously spent a number of seasons with the Wellmen, with whom he won the NEWFA Challenge Cup in 2022-23.
Other former clubs include Vauxhall Motors and Cefn Druids.
FLINT TOWN UNITED
Luke Mariette
Denbigh born central-midfielder, aged 20.
The former Blackpool player has also had loan spells at Curzon Ashton, Southport, Macclesfield and Guiseley. He has represented Wales at U18 level.
During his spell at Blackpool, Luke worked with current Flint U19’s coach John Murphy. Silkmen manager Lee Fowler said of his new signing, ”There’s no doubt with Luke that the talent is there, and it’s my job to get that talent shining through in every training session and every game, and to get him enjoying his football again.”
Luke goes straight into Fowler’s squad for Saturday’s game at Barry.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe international and former Cefn Druids midfielder Alec Mudimu has left Flint due to personal reasons.
Fowler commented “It’s a massive blow to us, but Alec’s welfare is the main priority, and he has decided he wished to relocate to London and embark upon a new chapter in his life, so we wish him well in this, and I would like to thank him for his time with me during his two spells at the club.”
Sidi Sanogo-Fofana
The latest addition to the Silkmen’s ranks ahead of the transfer window deadline is Sidi Sanogo-Fofana, a competitive, holding midfielder.
Spanish born Sidi formed an important part of the Macclesfield FC team that won the 2021/22 North West Counties Premier Division., also featuring in the BBC documentary “Robbie Savage – Making Macclesfield FC”.
Though generally regarded as a holding midfielder, Sidi also offers the athleticism and versatility to be utilized as a more offensive threat, as well as possessing great passing vision.
In welcoming Sidi to the Essity Stadium, Flint manager Lee Fowler said: “He will give us different options in several areas of the pitch. He’s a winner and will give 110 percent in his approach. Sidi is a different type of player to what we have already got, and so will bring a new facet to our play.”
Having started out playing for Fraga and Bordeta in Spain, Sidi has also played for Atherton Collieries, Clitheroe and Runcorn Linnets.