Prolific striker Sion Parry retires from playing – but remains manager of CPD Llanystumdwy
One of the most prolific goalscorers to feature in North Wales football over recent seasons has announced his retirement from playing due to injury.
Sion Gwilym Parry will remain manager of CPD Llanystumdwy, who he led to promotion from tier 5 to the T4 North Wales Coast West Premier Division last term.
The 27-year-old has amassed 342 senior goals from 314 matches. The majority of those goals have come for Llanystumdwy, but he also has a decent record from spells with Porthmadog, Bangor 1876 and Nantlle Vale.
Revealing his decision to call it a day on the playing side, he said: “First of all, i know it’s only lower league level in Wales, and announcing a retirement can seem ridiculous, but…
“Due to a recent injury I know my time playing football has come to an end. An injury first suffered 2 years ago, I have never fully recovered from.
“There’s nothing I enjoy more than being part of a team and playing football every Saturday. I’ve loved and still have a connection to every club I’ve played for, obviously Llanystumdwy the club I started playing senior football at and currently manage, as well as Porthmadog, Bangor 1876 and Nantlle Vale, coming home on a Saturday after football and heading straight over to the app to check the scores of each team.
“I want to thank the team-mates I’ve had over the years, the amazing coaches I’ve had, and all the volunteers and supporters of these clubs – outside of actually playing, the part I enjoy the most is getting to know the volunteers and supporters, the people who make the club feel the way it does, the people who make it feel like it’s where you belong, and for those reasons I believe I’ve played at the clubs that were perfect for me.
“Although all 4 are different in size and were at different stages when I played, they all have that one thing in common – great people around, willing to do anything for the club, and without them the club is nothing.
“Mental health struggles and my own stubbornness for the last 2 years, meant that I didn’t want to accept I was injured and couldn’t play football – so I carried on. It’s been a constant in my life since I was 5, and has been a release for so many years.
“10 days ago a reoccurrence of the injury caused more damage than ever, since then I’ve been stuck in bed, with 2 kids running about the house, and only barely being able to get out of bed to wish them good night.
“Going back to what I said at the start, it may seem ridiculous announcing a retirement, but for my mental health struggles I needed closure. After a hospital appointment this morning… this is my closure.
“I’ll look forward to seeing you around the grounds on Saturdays to come.”
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Perhaps Sion’s finest moment was his hat-trick to win the NWCFA Intermediate Challenge Cup for Llanystumdwy in a 3-0 victory over Llandudno Albion in May 2016.
The final at Bangor City’s Nantporth stadium was expected to be a close contest between Albion, the Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League Premier Division champions at the first attempt, and Gwynedd League runners-up ‘Stumdwy.
Parry’s goals proved the difference as he netted on 18, 35 and 75 minutes to land his club the coveted trophy for a first time..
The first two goals saw Parry chase passes over the top of the defence, initially from Robert Griffiths and then from Iwan Lloyd, to lob into the net.
The crucial third goal was a superb solo effort, which saw Parry take possession near the left corner flag, cut inside and defy an acute angle with a clinical finish.
Earlier in the match, Llanystumdwy had been put under some heavy pressure, and keeper and team captain Caron Hughes was forced into important saves.
Defenders Cedri Lloyd and Tomos Meehan stood out, as did midfielder Kyle Williams, while 16-year-old Sion Guto starred up front alongside Parry.
En route to the final, Llanystumdwy had eliminated Rhos United 5-2 at home, Menai Bridge Tigers 3-1 away, Aberffraw 2-0 away and Rhyl Town 2-1 in the semi after extra time at Bangor, Sion with the headed winner.
Llanystumdwy actually technically held the cup for seven years. After 2015-16, the competition was discontinued until 2022-23 when St Asaph City beat Menai Bridge Tigers in the final.
Sion signed for newly-formed Bangor 1876 in January 2020 and was part of the invincible Gwynedd League title-winning squad, scoring nine goals, including four in a 7-0 league victory over Ogwen Tigers and a treble against the same opponents in the Gwynedd Cup.
A lively, ever-alert goal poacher, Sion’s finest assets included an uncanny knack of being in the right areas at the right times to find the net and also his sharp reactions in attacking situations.
He also manages the CPD Merched Llanystumdwy team, whom his partner Natasha is captain of. The couple have two children.
SION PARRY – CAREER STATS
