Mike Davies – a legend of Ynys Môn football who will forever be remembered

He was one of the most respected, well-liked, hard-working and highly-decorated players to feature in Anglesey football over the past 25 years.

Mike Davies was, quite simply, an Ynys Môn sporting legend.

Anglesey’s football family remains in mourning over the recent passing of the devoted father-of-two at the age of just 44.

He leaves a wife, Michelle, and young sons Rio and Cai.

On Sunday, at Mike’s beloved Trearddur Bay FC, where he won so many honours, crowds turned out in droves at a special tribute to the great man before Bay Development squad’s match against Pwllheli at Lon Isallt.

Mike’s brother Chris, his manager at Trearddur Bay in the trophy-laden years of 2008-11, reflected: “Mike was one of the best, his passion on the football pitch was unrivalled.

“He was a pleasure to coach/manage and probably deserved a lot more personal accolades but due to him being my brother we used to agree to award others in the team.

“So unselfish, he was my captain, the heartbeat of the midfield and also my best friend. The days and nights out back in them days were legendary with wives and girlfriends etc all coming along. Gwil, myself and the other committee members were so proud of the family atmosphere that was built back then.

“Although now the personnel have changed at committee level it is something we are all striving for again with the current players across the club and feel that the turnout from everyone on Sunday shows that.”

Trearddur Bay Development manager Scott Hakesley added: “Trearddur Bay welcomed roughly 300 people to our first home game of the season as we paid our respects to a team-mate, a friend, a loved one and to many a legend of the club.

“Mike Davies will live long in the memories of so many as a warrior on the pitch and a true gentleman off it.”

SPORTS CAREER

As well as being renowned for his football abilities, Mike was also a highly-rated basketball player.

He was a founder member of Ynys Môn Celts Basketball Club, whom he represented in the 1990s and 2000s at both local and national league level.

As a footballer he was recognised far and wide as a rock-solid, no-nonsense central defender, as well as a leader, loved for his sense of humour and infectious personality.

Clubs he represented included Holyhead Town, Holyhead Hotspur, Bodedern and Cemaes Bay, but his most successful years were at Trearddur Bay.

When the club entered Saturday football in 2008-09 it marked the start of a remarkable era which delivered 10 trophies in four seasons under the management of Mike’s brother Chris.

Asked what was the highlight of his career by Grassroots North Wales in 2021, Mike replied: “Without a shadow of doubt the 2008/09 NWCFA Junior Cup Final against St Asaph which we won. The spirit of the lads was second to none. We were all brilliant mates on and off the field and still are now.”

Between 2008-09 and 2015-16, Mike won the following 12 honours with Trearddur Bay:

2008/09: NWCFA Junior Cup, Dargie Cup, Thomas and Williams Cup
2009/10: Dargie Cup, Elias Cup
2010/11: Anglesey League title, Dargie Cup, Megan Cup, Thomas and Williams Cup
2011/12: Cwpan Gwynedd
2012/13: Gwynedd League title
2015/16: Welsh Alliance Division One title

The 2010-11 season was extra special as Bay landed a quadruple and it was also the campaign where young striker Asa Thomas netted an unbelievable 112 goals in 47 matches.

The trophies kept coming for Mike, as in 2016-17 he was in the Holyhead Town squad which won an Anglesey League treble and then lifted the Gwynedd League title in 2017-18 under Craig Brodie.

In summer 2021, Mike was appointed player-manager of the newly-named Trearddur Bay Bulls.

However, before a competitive ball was kicked, the club decided to fold for a season to regroup and returned in 2022-23 as simply Trearddur Bay FC.

Mike rejoined the Beach Boys and played half a season for the first team, who won the tier 5 North Wales Coast West League Division One title as invincibles.

Last season, he used his experience to help along the newly-formed Trearddur Bay Development team, still putting in a good shift at the age of 43.

Anyone who ever met Mike Davies will never forget him.

The massive outpouring or love and tributes seen on social media since his passing speaks volumes.

Mike Davies – July 22, 1980 – August 2024

Rest in Peace dear friend – you’re in our hearts forever.