2024: Blwyddyn i’w chofio i’r Cofis/A year to remember for CPD Caernarfon Town

2024 – a year to remember for Caernarfon Town Football Club.

A first-ever adventure into Europe, where they won their debut tie to earn crucial coefficient points for Wales, holding their own in the Cymru Premier top-half and a famous victory at TNS.

Some great things going on off the pitch too, and a health boost for ever-loyal chairman Paul Evans, who we wish all the very best for 2025 on his recovery road.

Here, Grassroots North Wales looks back at the past 12 months for the Canaries.

JANUARY

Jan 2: Morgan Owen joined Caernarfon from Porthmadog FC. The 23-year-old defender had previously played for Colwyn Bay and Llandudno before moving to Y Traeth last summer.
Jan 9: Striker Zack Clarke was recalled by Chester Football Club. Zack signed for Caernarfon on loan during summer 2023 and scored a vital eight goals in the first half of the campaign.
Jan 13: Just the one game in January brings a 2-2 draw at Cardiff Met, Adam Davies and Daniel Gosset on target. Caernarfon seal a place in the top six Championship Conference.

FEBRUARY

Feb 1: Joe Faux joined Caernarfon on a permanent deal from Connah’s Quay Nomads. Joe originally arrived at Town in January 2022 before signing for Nomads in summer 2023. However, he returned to Caernarfon on loan in August before making the move permanent in February 2024.
Feb 1: Impressive front man Zack Clarke signs for Caernarfon on a permanent basis from Chester FC:
Feb 2: Adam Davies scores in a 1-1 draw at Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Feb 10: Another 2-2 draw at Cardiff Met – this time in phase 2. Sion Bradley and Gwion Dafydd on target.
Feb 23: Demoralising 8-1 home defeat to The New Saints, Bradley equalising to make it 1-1 in the early stages before it all went very wrong.

MARCH

Mar 1: Good start to the month as a Gosset goal sinks Newtown 1-0 at The Oval.
Mar 8: Adam Davies nets in a 1-1 split at Bala Town.
Mar 15: Town beat Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-1 at home, Louis Lloyd and Marc Williams finding the net.
Mar 23: Zack Clarke’s goal is not enough to save the Canaries from a 2-1 home loss against Cardiff Met.
Mar 27: In a pioneering move setting a precedent in Welsh football, Caernarfon Town announced its partnership with esteemed creative agency, The Deep. This landmark collaboration marked the first time a team in the Welsh footballing pyramid will have a dedicated creative director.
The club announced: “The Deep will focus on amplifying Caernarfon Town’s unique Welsh identity, tapping into the town’s high percentage of Welsh-language speakers, and its deeply historical roots to inspire fans, attract new audiences, and engage with the community on unprecedented levels.”

APRIL

Apr 5: Another painful experience for the Cofis at the hands of TNS – this time a 7-1 away caning, Louis Lloyd scoring a consolation.
Apr 13: Another bad day at the office – a 5-0 thumping at Newtown.
Apr 20: The club announced the sad news that lifelong Caernarfon Town supporter Harry Griffiths (Harry R & I) had passed away. Harry had been a constant at Canaries matches, home and away, for decades and was one of the characters that made a visit to The Oval so special.
Apr 21: Zack Clarke and Louis Lloyd make the scoresheet as Caernarfon end their league fixtures on a positive note with a 2-2 home draw against Bala. Cofis finish fifth.

MAY

May 6: As part of Caernarfon Town’s partnership with Coleg Menai, the club announced its wish to give students an opportunity to use their skills in the footballing environment. With this in mind CTFC asked Menai students to work on match day posters for the club.
May 10: Caernarfon beat Cardiff Met 2-0 at The Oval to reach the Uefa Conference League play-off final, Marc Williams and Adam Davies supplying the vital goals.
May 16: Caernarfon Town announce Wales Timber Solutions will be the club’s shirt sponsors for the next two seasons. Chairman Paul Evans said: “This partnership is a first for us as a club as Wales Timber Solutions will be sponsoring all our sides, all through the Academy, in addition to the first team. This is something we have been looking to do for many years and to have all our age groups wearing exactly the same kit as our first team squad will further enhance our professionalism.”
May 18: An amazing day in Caernarfon Town’s history as they secure European football for the first time after seeing off Penybont 3-1 in the play-off final. A stunning first half show seals victory for the Cofis, Louis Lloyd, Zack Clarke (pen) and Sion Bradley all on target.

JUNE

Jun 3: One of Caernarfon’s star players of recent seasons, Sion Bradley, signs for The New Saints.
Jun 16: Defender Ryan Sears arrives at Caernarfon Town. Sears emerged through the Academy at Shrewsbury Town, where he made seven appearances in EFL League One. He has also had spells at Telford, Grimsby and Newtown, where he was named Supporters’ Player of the Year for 2023/24. Sears also starred in last season’s Wales C victory over England and was named in the Cymru Premier League Team of the Year for 2023/24.
Jun 17: Another capture from Newtown – this time midfielder Matty Jones. The new arrival started his career at Shrewsbury Town’s Academy before moving on to Aberystwyth Town in 2017, where he stayed for five years before signing for Newtown.
Jun 18: Caernarfon Town land a Northern Ireland club in their first-ever European draw.
The Canaries discovered they will take on Crusaders in the Uefa Conference League first qualifying round on July 11 and 18.
Jun 22: The Canaries narrowly beat Connah’s Quay Nomads 3-2 in a friendly, Darren Thomas, Daniel Gosset and Marc Williams with the goals.
Jun 23: Sam Downey lands at The Oval. The midfielder had been at Colwyn Bay for the past four years, making 80 appearances for the Seagulls and was a member of their Cymru North title-winning side in 2023.
Jun 25: Matty Hill is the latest arrival at CTFC. The right-winger joined Town after a spell with Colwyn Bay. He played for Ruthin before moving to the Bay in 2022/23, where he scored 15 goals in 27 league matches as the Seagulls clinched the Cymru North title.
Jun 26: Welcome back Paulo Mendes! The midfield man first signed for Caernarfon during the summer of 2020 and starred in the team that reached the final of the European Play-offs. Mendes left for Coonah’s Quay in 2021 and was with Bala in 2023-24.
Jun 29: Caernarfon Town win a pre-Europe friendly in Northern Ireland against Cliftonville by two goals to one, Darren Thomas and Louis Lloyd (pen) sealing the victory.

JULY

Jul 6: Caernarfon beat Cymru North side Buckley Town 3-0 in a final warm-up before their European adventure.
Jul 11: Glory in Europe! It was arguably the most famous night in Caernarfon Town’s history as they triumphed on their European debut at the expense of NIFL Premiership visitors Crusaders of Belfast.
First-half goals from Morgan Owen and Zack Clarke delivered a 2-0 victory at Nantporth Stadium, Bangor, where a crowd of 1,088 gathered.
Jul 18: Caernarfon win 8-7 on penalties after their Europa Conference League first qualifying round second leg clash at Crusaders ended 3-1 to the Belfast side.
Paulo Mendes put the Cofis 1-0 up on the night, and 3-0 in the tie, with a 24th minute goal before the NIFL outfit fought back to score three times.
With the teams level on aggregate, it went to spot kicks and Marc Williams converted the sudden death decider.
Town keeper Stephen McMullan saved two penalties in the shoot-out and scored one himself.
Jul 25: Taking on Polish giants Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League second qualifying round, Caernarfon give it their all in the away leg, but are beaten 6-0.

AUGUST

Aug 1: Caernarfon hold Legia Warsaw to 0-0 in the first half of their return tussle at Nantporth, but the Poles turn on the style in the second period to win 5-0 on the evening and 11-0 on aggregate. However, what a great adventure it had been for Richard Davies’ heroes.
Aug 4: Town begin the 2024-25 season well with victory on penalties in the Nathaniel MG Cup at Newtown after a 2-2 draw, Paulo Mendes and Gruff John initially putting the visitors 2-0 ahead in the game itself.
Aug 17: The Cymru Premier campaign begins with a disappointing 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Haverfordwest County, Matty Jones the Cofis marksman.
Aug 23: Better, much better! Caernarfon have struggled at Latham Park at times in the past, but they followed up their Nathaniel MG Cup win there three weeks earlier with a resounding 4-0 league triumph, Phil Mooney, Adam Davies, Zack Clarke and a Shane Sutton own goal making up the away tally.
Aug 24: Richard Davies signs a long-term contract to stay as Caernarfon Town manager.
Aug 26: Caernarfon are held 0-0 by Bala in a league encounter at The Oval.
Aug 28: Caernarfon announce its community room at The Oval will be named after people who have had an impact on the club and the town.
The club’s plan is to name the facility after an individual every season and in 2024-25 will honour Josh Lloyd Roberts.
Josh was a lifelong supporter of the club who played for the CTFC Academy and who was tragically taken away from his family in 2023.
Aug 31: Disappointing end to the month as Town lose 2-1 at home to Cardiff Met, a Louis Lloyd penalty proving a mere consolation for the hosts.

SEPTEMBER

Sep 7: Caernarfon’s difficult start to the league season continues with a 2-0 loss at Penybont.
Sep 14: Zack Clarke’s hat-trick ensures the Cofis edge a 3-2 verdict over Briton Ferry Llansawel.
Sep 17: Defeat in the Nathaniel MG Cup, 3-2 at Connah’s Quay. Adam Davies and Gosset are on the mark for the Canaries.
Sep 21: Louis Lloyd scores in a 1-1 draw at Barry Town United
Sep 25: Paulo Mendes and Matty Jones make the scoresheet as Town begin a run of four straight league victories with a 2-1 result at Flint Town United.
Sep 28: Mendes, Darren Thomas and Clarke deliver the goals in a 3-1 home success against Connah’s Quay Nomads. This game sees the club christen its new LED lights at The Oval in front of the Sgorio cameras.

OCTOBER

Oct 3: Simon Davis is appointed general manager of Caernarfon Town FC
Oct 5: Louis Lloyd bags a brace in Town’s 2-1 victory at Cardiff Met.
Oct 9: What a result! One of Caernarfon’s best ever in the league as they triumphed 2-1 at champions The New Saints. Zack Clarke and Louis Lloyd grabbed the crucial goals at Park Hall.
Oct 12: After the Lord Mayor’s Show….Caernarfon lose 2-1 at home to Newtown, a Louis Lloyd spot-kick all they can muster.
Oct 15: Back-to-back home losses for the Cofis as they crash disastrously 4-1 at home to lowly Aberystwyth, Clarke the Canaries net-finder.
Oct 18: Caernarfon are officially in a slump as they crash out of the Welsh Cup on penalties to tier 3 side Holyhead Hotspur. The tie ends 0-0 and Hotspur win 6-5 in the shoot-out.
Oct 23: CTFC announce that Fanbase is its new ticketing and fan engagement partner.
Oct 26: A much-needed tonic for Caernarfon after three straight losses – a commendable 0-0 draw at Haverfordwest.

NOVEMBER

Nov 2: A really poor start to November sees Caernarfon whipped 5-1 at home by early CPL pace-setters Penybont. Mendes replies for the hosts when they are 3-0 down.
Nov 9: A welcome 1-0 win at Briton Ferry Llansawel is banked thanks to a 38th minute decider from the Cofi Messi, Darren Thomas.

DECEMBER

Dec 3: Adam Davies’ 61st minute goal salvages a decent point for Caernarfon in a 1-1 draw at Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Dec 14: Matty Jones’ 82nd minute strike clinches a 3-2 home league win over Barry Town United. Louis Lloyd earlier converted two penalties for the Cofis.
Dec 21: Louis Lloyd’s goal is the only highlight as Caernarfon crash 3-1 at Aberystwyth. Louis has scored 13 goals to date in 2024.
Dec 24: Heading into the Christmas period, Caernarfon lie a more than respectable sixth in the Cymru Premier, despite an inconsistent 2024-25 to date. They will host The New Saints on Boxing Day and visit Bala Town on New Year’s Eve.

SUMMARY

Overall a fine year for the club, with a first-ever venture into Europe, where they won their debut tie, steady progress in the league, excellent manager Richard Davies on a long-term contract, some pleasing signings and lots of good things happening off the field.

• Many thanks to Caernarfon Town FC for the majority of photographs used in this article