Nine exciting New Year transfers on the North Wales football scene
Plenty of New Year transfers to come no doubt, but here’s a handful to get you started.
Bobby Beaumont (Flint Town United to Denbigh Town)
Report: Ollie Beech
The son of former Wrexham defender Nigel Beaumont has joined Cymru North outfit Denbigh Town.
Bobby Beaumont, 22, is a former professional with Wrexham and Sunderland who lands at Central Park from Cymru Premier club Flint Town United.
The young defender comes from great stock as dad Nigel began his career at Bradford City and went on to make more than 100 appearances for Wrexham between 1988-92, being voted Player of the Season in 1989-90.
Nigel later played non-league for Telford United before spells with Brymbo and Lex XI, where he was assistant-manager.
Bobby, who made his professional debut in November 2019, commits to Denbigh after making 17 appearances in the Cymru Premier for the Silkmen this season.
“When Dewi got in touch he explained Denbigh had something exciting going on and I wanted to be a part of iit,” said Bobby.
“Since joining the lads have been class with me. I can’t wait to get out there, especially in front of the fans and push the club up to where it should be.”
Town manager Dewi Llion said: “Bobby is a real coup for us and brings in some fantastic quality.
“He came through the ranks at Wrexham and made his professional debut before moving on to Sunderland, and has since come back and played regularly in the Welsh and English systems.
“He’s 22 but brings a huge wealth of experience to a young group and it’s a great indication of the quality players we want to bring to the club.”
Beaumont came through the ranks at Wrexham whilst also captaining Wales Schools Under-18s before making his debut in the Scottish Challenge Cup against St Mirren in November 2019.
He went on to face Rangers at Ibrox before making his third and final appearance against FC Halifax Town in the FA Trophy.
In 2020 he signed a one-year contract with then-EFL League One side Sunderland and trained with the club’s Under-23s. He made six appearances in the Premier League 2 (U23s) including in matches against Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough, Burnley, Fulham and Norwich City.
He departed the Stadium of Light in 2021 and made his first appearances in Wales when signing for Caernarfon Town.
Bobby made his debut for the Canaries against Denbigh at Central Park in the Welsh Cup. He scored his first senior goal in a 3-1 away win over Cefn Druids in the Cymru Premier.
After 24 appearances for The Oval club, he moved on to Flint in the summer of 2022,
In the summer of 2023, following the Silkmen’s relegation to the JD Cymru North, he signed for Vauxhall Motors in the Northern Premier League Division One West.
He debuted in the FA Cup versus West Didsbury & Chorlton in the first of 32 appearances for the Motor Men, where he scored twice against Stalybridge Celtic and Widnes.
Bobby rejoined Flint in 2024 and has featured 17 times in the JD Cymru Premier and played 20 games in all competitions this season.
Beaumont now lands at Central Park to bolster Dewi Llion’s side.
What a signing!
Blaine Hudson (The New Saints to Caernarfon Town – Loan)
Former Wrexham centre-back Hudson has joined Cymru Premier side Caernarfon Town on loan from The New Saints for the remainder of the season.
The 33-year-old was at the Racecourse for two seasons between 2014-16, making 84 competitive first team appearances and scoring seven goals.
Hudson signed for TNS in the summer of 2017 following his release from Chester and has been a part of five JD Cymru Premier title-winning squads.
The towering 6 ft 4 inches centre half has made 188 first team appearances for Saints, scoring 26 goals.
Hudson’s other previous clubs include Billericay Town, Cambridge City, Cambridge United, Chester, Norwich City, and Welling United
This qualified HGV lorry driver is now hoping to haul the Canaries up the Cymru Premier table over the remainder of the season.
Dylan Meredith (to CPD Y Rhyl FC)
Plenty of excitement among the Rhyl 1879 management about what this dynamic midfielder can bring to Ardal North West.
Meredith, 24, offers a wealth of experience to the squad as the Lilywhites continue their push for promotion in the 2024/25 season.
Also able toi operate as a left or right winger, Meredith began his footballing career in Burnley’s esteemed academy, where he completed his scholar years and honed his skills under top-tier coaching.
His promising talent then saw him venture abroad, playing for Ytterhogdals IK in Sweden’s tier four and Cyprus Third Division club APEA Akrotiri FC, before continuing his career in the competitive ranks of English non-league football, turning out for well-regarded clubs such as Irlam FC and Nelson FC.
With his versatility and experience, Meredith is expected to add depth and quality to the 1879 squad.
Michael Kedman (Folkestone Invicta to Connah’s Quay Nomads)
Well-travelled and much experienced, this new Nomads signing could make a major impact in the Cymru Premier.
Michael Kedman, a 28-year-old defender/winger, joined up with the first team squad earlier in December and has been training with the club since becoming a free agent following a recent spell at Isthmian Premier side Folkestone Invicta.
Kedman started his career at Chelsea FC youth academy followed by Sheffield United, before spending a number of years overseas, playing for teams in Spain, Greece, Belgium, Iceland and most recently Denmark at Aalborg FC.
He has also made one solitary international appearance for the Trinidad and Tobago international team in a 2-1 defeat to Nicaragua in the CONCACAF Nations League.
On joining the club, Michael commented; “I’m excited to sign and be part of such a solid group. I’ve been here for a couple of weeks now and everyone has made me feel welcome which I’m truly grateful for. I’m eager to repay that support on the pitch through hard work and to contribute to achieving the team’s targets for the rest of the season.”
Ilan Ap Gareth (Gresford Athletic to Holywell Town)
Ilan Sion Ap Gareth Jones, 25, is better known as Ilan Ap Gareth, a high class midfielder who has always played his football at a high level.
Ilan signed for Gresford Athletic on deadline day of the 2024/25 summer transfer window from Holywell Town. He scored three goals in 15 appearances for the Colliers, but has now decided to return to the Wellmen.
In his previous spell with Holywell, between 2021-22 and the start of 2024-25, he made 77 appearances and scored 14 goals
He was part of last season’s JD Cymru North title-winning squad, featuring in a few games towards the end of the campaign after a year out through an ACL injury.
A midfielder who brings plenty of skill and ability, he has lots of quality when on the ball.
An impressive list of previous clubs also include Wrexham, The New Saints, Chester, Cefn Druids, Porthmadog and Rhyl.
Daniel Flanders (Connah’s Quay Nomads to Denbigh Town)
Denbigh Town have announced the signing of defender Daniel Flanders from Connah’s Quay Nomads, reports Ollie Beech.
The 18-year-old arrives at Central Park after making two appearances in the JD Cymru Premier this season for Nomads.
“I’m made up for the opportunity to sign for a club like Denbigh” said Flanders.
“I’m here to work hard, learn and win with this group of lads.”
Denbigh manager Dewi Llion said: “Daniel’s a great young player and was highly rated with Connah’s Quay Nomads.
“He’s had a great time in development before spending the last two years playing senior football in both the third tier and the Cymru Premier.
“We’re really happy to have him with us and he bolsters an already talented squad, so I’m really pleased he’s decided to join us.”
Flanders came through the academy at Nomads as well as with Hawarden Rangers.
At 16 he made his senior debut for Hawarden in the Lock Stock Ardal North-West in a match at home to Denbigh Town. He went on to play 16 league games for the side before adding a further 26 the following year in the third tier and scoring his first senior goal in a 2-1 win at Llangefni in April 2024.
After making 44 total appearances for Hawarden, he returned to Connah’s Quay Nomads with plenty of experience under his belt.
He featured in his first JD Cymru Premier squad in September at home to league Barry Town United before making his debut for the club two weeks later in the Nathaniel MG Cup against Caernarfon Town, playing 90 minutes.
His Cymru Premier debut came as a substitute four days later at Cardiff Met. He continued to feature regularly for the Nomads’ development side whilst also being involved in Cymru Premier squads.
Daniel played from the start at home to Newtown in the top flight before his final appearance came with 78 minutes against Aberystwyth in the Nathaniel MG Cup.
Now Flanders moves on to Denbigh where he’ll look to feature more in terms of senior football in the JD Cymru North.
Harvey Scott (Connah’s Quay Nomads to Bangor 1876)
Nineteen-year-old midfielder Harvey Scott has joined Cymru North club Bangor 1876 from Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Scott is a talented player who has been part of the Nomads’ academy set-up for several years and this season made his first team debut in a match against Aberystwyth Town in the Nathaniel MG Cup in October. He has also been part of their first team squad for several matches in the Cymru Premier this season.
1876 manager Michael Johnston expressed his pleasure at completing the signing:
He said: “Harvey is a great young talent. He has a great pedigree coming from Connah’s Quay and is very highly spoken of by the coaches there. We had a look at him when we played a friendly match a few weeks back. He’s a local lad and I’m sure the fans will love his footballing ability.”
Carl Jones (Trearddur Bay to Bangor 1876)
The 30-year-old goalkeeper returns to 1876 after leaving in October to join tier 3 club Trearddur Bay, where he made six appearances.
Jones first signed for 1876 in January 2023 from Bodedern Athletic. Since then he has featured in 46 games for the fan-owned club.
While at Bodedern, he was a key member of the team which won the tier 4 North Wales Coast West Premier Division title in 2021-22.
Prior to that, Jones represented Holyhead Hotspur and Prestatyn Town, where he won the Cymru Alliance title in 2016-17 and was Seasiders keeper in the 2017-18 Welsh Premier campaign.
One of his finest achievements came in an Ynys Môn shirt at the 2023 Island Games football tournament in Guernsey.
The Bangor 1876 glovesman saved THREE penalties in the competition and was named man of the match by the opposition in three of Môn’s first four games. Anglesey went on to win the silver medal.
The experienced shot-stopper popularly known as Stumpy has made a valuable contribution to 1876 in recent years and his return has been welcomed by manager Michael Johnston.
Johnno said: “It’s great to have him back. There were no hard feelings when he left and he soon realised that it wasn’t the right move. Brad Farrar has done a fantastic job for us and he will continue to learn now Stumpy is back.”
Max Woodcock (Leek Town to Connah’s Quay Nomads)
Scotland Under-19 striker Max Woodcock is a new face at Connah’s Quay Nomads for 2025.
Woodcock is a product of the renowned Crewe Alexandra Academy system having also spent a loan spell at Runcorn Linnets and also most recently a brief stay at Leek Town.
The 19-year-old has represented Scotland at both U18 and U19 level, scoring in a 4-1 victory over Estonia in September 2022.
Woodcock is still awaiting international clearance from the English FA following his time at Leek Town, but will wear the number 18 shirt when he becomes available for selection.
On his arrival at the club, Max commented; “I’m delighted to have signed for the club – there is a really good bunch of lads and staff that have helped me settle in straight away.”