Happy 50th to a great character of North Wales football!
NEWTOWN, WALES - 13 FEBUARY 2022: during the FAW Girls Cup semi-final between Penrhyn Bay FC U16 Girls and Treowen Stars FC U16 Girls at Latham Park, Newtown, Wales, February 13th 2022. (Pic by Ashley Crowden/FAW)
Conwy Valley based football coach and manager Owen John Davis reaches a very special birthday today.
Born on February 25, 1975, one of North Wales football’s great characters is celebrating his half century.
Owen first played youth football for Llanrwst United before giving up the game for a few years to concentrate on golf.
He started playing again in 1998 for Llanrwst United Reserves and, subsequently, earned some time in the first team.
Owen signed for Machno United in 2001 and here began a long association with the village club. In 2001-02, the team only missed out on the Vale of Conwy League title on goal difference.
The club went on to compete in the Caernarfon and District League, finishing Division 2 champions in 2011-12, then joined the Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League, lifting the Division One title in 2012-13.
Machno remained in that league until it folded at the end of 2019-20.
Owen had a couple of spells as a player and manager at Machno before the club disbanded in 2021, citing pitch problems and player unavailability.
As of yet, the club has not re-emerged, but Owen still hopes to inspire a revival sooner rather than later.
Machno’s temporary farewell led to Owen’s coaching abilities shining brightly elsewhere.
In 2021-22, along with fellow coaches Tracey Glover and Eurwyn Vaughan, Owen led Penrhyn Bay Under-16s Girls to league and cup glory.
Bay won the North Wales Girls League title with a perfect record of 12 straight wins and also lifted the league cup, beating Brickfield Rangers 8-2 in the final.
An even mightier achievement saw Penrhyn reach a third successive Under-16 Welsh Cup final.
After beating Treowen 3-0 in the semi at Newtown, Phoebe Ellis (2) and Christina Allen with the goals, the North Wales stars lost 3-1 in the final to a very strong Cardiff City.
Nonetheless, it had been a marvellous campaign for the team, which included in its ranks Owen’s daughter Alys, as well as Polly Wild-McGregor, Phoebe Ellis, Rhian Edwards and Erin Doran, who have all gone on to excel in senior football.
Owen continues to support Alys, now 18, in her on-field adventures, attending all her matches for CPDM Bangor.
And there remains the dream of getting Machno United back in North Wales football.
Kind, articulate, passionate, lively, popular and, in Alys’ words: “thank you for having us hysterically laughing 24/7. we love you so much”, Owen Davis is a big asset to local football.
Wishing you all the best on your special day.