Owain Williams – 200 goals and still going strong!

CPD Llanuwchllyn Reserves captain Owain Williams recently reached the career landmark of 200 goals.

The former Dolgellau player, who turned 40 in September, is excited to be leading a young Llanuwchllyn side in the FAW Cymru Reserves North West division. He joined the club at the start of 2023-24.

Grassroots North Wales spoke to Owain about his recent milestone.

You recently reached 200 career goals – congratulations! How would you describe your landmark goal?

Thank you! It was actually a bitter sweet moment as we were losing 3-0 at the time! But the goal itself was very pleasing and scoring a free kick like that and seeing it go into the far corner was great.

You are current captain of a young Llanuwchllyn Reserves. When did you join them and how has the experience been so far?

It’s a pleasure being the captain of a very young team and seeing the young lads progress. Hopefully I’m helping them with my experience. Considering we established the team last season, we overachieved in some sense by finishing runners up in the league and reaching the league cup final in our first season. We’re now in a new league and are doing well.

The excitement within the club must be amazing at present with the first team’s successes in the Welsh Cup and FAW Trophy. Describe the mood right now….

It’s great! The club are very fortunate to have some brilliant volunteers, strong management teams and some very talented, quality and experienced players involved. There’s a lot of excitement within the club between the upcoming young players, both teams doing well and obviously the cup runs creates a buzz within the club and in the community. Long may it continue!

Please list all the clubs you have played for over your career and number of goals scored at each if possible

I’ve been very fortunate to play for great clubs and great teams during my career. Dolgellau – 94 goals, Llanuwchllyn – 82 goals, Bala Town – 19 goals, Blaenau Ffestiniog – 4 goals, Barmouth – just the 1 goal!

Your previous club was Dolgellau Athletic. How long were you there and how do you feel that club’s future is shaping up?

Dolgellau AFC have been a big part of my career. I started playing for them at 16 and have had 3 periods with them, one being as player-manager. It was a privilege to be part of the club, especially in the last few years seeing it progress on and off the pitch with ground improvements and establishing itself as a strong tier 3 club. With the numerous and quality young players they have, it bodes very well for the future.

Can you describe the best goal you’ve ever scored?

I’m lucky enough to have scored a few memorable ones but the most memorable must be my goal on my senior debut as a 16-year-old for Dolgellau Reserves when a cross came from the right and I hit a first time volley across my body which flew to the top corner.

What is the highest amount of goals you have scored in a single game and over a season?

The most goals I’ve scored in a game was 5 when Llanuwchllyn beat Acrefair 13-0. I scored 29 goals for Llanuwchllyn during the 2013/14 season as a winger.

Is it true life begins at 40? Do you feel like you have a fair amount still to contribute to the game?

Haha not sure! The recovery certainly takes longer! I hope so **(currently top scorer in the league!). I have a strong passion for the game and I try to enjoy every game, play each game like it’s my last and try my best to help the young players.

What are your ambitions for CPD Llanuwchllyn?

Try to contribute in every game I play, on and off the pitch, set a good example and encourage the youngsters by giving them some advice on where to improve.

Best team-mate played alongside – and hardest opponent faced?

Too many to mention and I wouldn’t like to name a few because I’ll certainly offend someone. I’ve played with some brilliant players and characters over the years. Toughest opponents would be Ian Hughes’ Aberystwyth side including the likes of Antonio Corbisiero, Chris Venables and Wyn Thomas.