Meet the new managers of CPD Glantraeth, Chirk AAA and CPD Y Rhyl 1879 Reserves

Three newly-appointed managers are relishing the opportunity to take on fresh challenges in the 2025-26 season.

Mel McGinness is taking over at CPD Glantraeth, Ryan Roberts faces the task of getting Chirk AAA climbing back up the pyramid and Justin Jones is at the helm for recently-launched CPD Y Rhyl 1879 Reserves.

Mel McGinness (Glantraeth)

Anglesey football legend Mel McGinness has been unveiled as the new manager of tier 4 North Wales Coast West League club Glantraeth.

McGinness switches over from Trearddur Bay, where he has spent the past three seasons as part of the management team leading the Beach Boys up from Tier 5 to 3, winning the North Wales Coast West Division One and Premier Division titles along the way.

Before that, McGinness was best known for his great scoring feats with Holyhead Hotspur, where he netted 50 goals in the club’s Welsh Alliance treble-winning campaign of 2011-12.

The 35-year-old has also represented Bangor City, Llangefni Town, Gaerwen and Porthmadog, and famously scored the winner when Ynys Môn won the 2019 Inter-Games Tournament on Anglesey.

Now he joins Glantraeth, one of Ynys Môn’s most decorated clubs and past winners of the Cymru Alliance and Welsh Alliance titles, but a Tier 4 club for the past four seasons.

McGinness said: “Really looking forward to this new challenge. After managing in tier 4 in the 23/24 season, I hope I know what it takes to get this massive Anglesey team to the opposite side of the league this coming season.

“Glantraeth was a massive Cymru Alliance (tier 2) team when I made the transition to senior football and I hope to bring back those days for the committee, who have been a massive reason I’ve decided to take the role on.”

Ryan Roberts (Chirk AAA)

New Chirk AAA manager Ryan Roberts is no stranger to the club.

Ryan Roberts has taken over at Holyhead Road for the 2025-26 season, replacing Tom Roberts, who was unable to prevent the Colliers suffering back-to-back relegations this term to tier 4.

The experienced Roberts played for Chirk when they reached the finals of the FAW Trophy in 2014 and 2017. He also played for Plas Madoc and Cefn Albion, where he won league titles and cups.

He turned to management at Plas Madoc, a club he led on two occasions, winning three league titles and two league cups in his time.

Last season he was appointed as head coach of the reformed Cefn Druids in Tier 5.

Welcoming the new man’s appointment, Chirk AAA said: “The club feel that he has the right pedigree and enthusiasm to lead us back into tier 3.

“Ryan’s appointment follows the resignation of Tom Roberts who has stepped down due to work commitments. We thank Tom for his efforts during a difficult time last season. Tom will remain part of the coaching staff at the club.”

Justin Jones (CPD Y Rhyl 1879 Reserves)

Justin Jones is manager of the new CPD Y Rhyl 1879 reserve side.

Jones is a well-known sporting figure in North Wales, having celebrated seven national titles in his amateur boxing days and later engaging in eight bouts as a pro, while in recent years he has developed his skills as a highly capable football coach.

He has been an integral part of the Rhyl 1879’s development over the past two seasons, serving as head of boys coaching.

As a B-licence holder, he has demonstrated his dedication and passion for fostering talent within the club which make him the perfect candidate to take on this exciting new role.

Reflecting on his appointment, Justin said: “I’m very eager to start the next progression for our club. Taking on the role as manager of CPD y Rhyl 1879 reserves is a big step in my coaching journey, and one I’m hoping to thrive in.

“The club and I share the same ambition: to build strong foundations for our junior teams, enabling seamless progression through our system into the men’s reserve and first team.”

Jones’ vision aligns perfectly with the club’s mission to create a sustainable pathway for young local talent.

By fostering a strong connection between the junior set-up and the senior teams, he aims to build a reserve squad capable of providing players to support the first team in their pursuit of achieving Tier 1 / Cymru Premier football status.

As part of his new role, Jones has already begun assembling a dedicated coaching team to support him in delivering this vision.

Together, they will focus on nurturing a reserve squad that reflects the club’s ethos of hard work, determination, high standards and excellence.

Jones also expressed his gratitude to the club’s leadership, saying: “I want to thank Adam (Roche) and Tom (Jamieson) for their continued support, and I’m looking forward to starting this next phase of our journey. Together, we’ll strive to achieve great things for CPD Y Rhyl 1879.”