With 373 Cymru Premier appearances and 109 goals on his CV, Alex Darlington is quite a capture for JD Cymru North newcomers Brickfield Rangers.
It’s a case of local lad coming home for the 37-year-old, who was born in Wrexham on December 26, 1988.
Beginning his career at Wrexham, then in League Two, in 2006/07, Alex joined The New Saints in 2008/09 and went on to win eight Welsh Premier title medals with the club, making 234 league appearances and netting 95 times.
After switching to Bangor City in 2017-18, Alex spent a season with Mosta in the Maltese Premier League before returning to the Cymru Premier for stints with Cefn Druids and Airbus UK Broughton.
In 2021-22, Alex moved to Aberystwyth Town, where he has spent the last four seasons, making 91 top-flight appearances.
A Wales C, Under-19 and U23 international, Alex has also featured in 18 matches in European club competitions.
Speaking on his move to Brickfield Rangers, where he will play under the management of regular past Welsh Premier opponent Gareth Wilson, Alex said: “I’m really looking forward to getting started and contributing as much as I can on and off the pitch. I know Gaz and the coaching staff well, and that connection played a big part in my decision to join the club.”
Wilson said: “Securing a player of Alex’s calibre is a real statement of intent from the club.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have him on board and am looking forward to working closely with him.
“His experience, professionalism, and quality will be a massive asset to our group.”
Exciting attacking player who joined Flint Mountain at the start of 2023-24 and had a sensational debut in a 4-1 victory at CPD Y Rhyl 1879 in Ardal North West.
Jack went on to make 40 appearances in total that season, scoring eight goals, playing a major role in Mountain being crowned tier 3 ANW champions and lifting the NEWFA Challenge Cup.
Last season saw the 23-year-old again stand out for Mountain in their debut Cymru North campaign, netting six times in 27 league outings as his team finished in seventh place.
He also produced the most assists in the entire Cymru North (13).
Jack previously played for Chester and Wirral League sides Blacon Youth and Upton.
Holywell Town said of their new player: “A creative and fearless attacker, Jack brings flair, vision and a serious threat in the final third. A big addition ahead of the new campaign.”
Pacy and creative forward who was with Caernarfon Town Under-16s before signing for Nantlle Vale, then spent last season at Porthmadog.
Suffered an early injury blow at Port which kept him out until the new year, but appeared regularly from January 2025 onwards.
Finished off his time at Y Traeth on a high note when Chris Jones’ side lifted the Ardal Northern League Cup, beating North East champions Brickfield Rangers 4-1 in the final at Rhyl. Jamie came on as a 78th minute substitute.
After making his senior debut for Nantlle Vale at the start of 2021-22, he went on to score 33 goals in 92 appearances for the Penygroes club’s first team.
Joining Cymru North newcomers Hotspur is a great opportunity for Jamie to further his career.
Attacking midfielder returns to the club where he began his senior football career at the age of 16.
Owen is best known for spending several seasons at Ruthin Town, for whom he made more than 250 appearances.
Played for Aberystwyth Town in the Cymru Premier back in 2020-21, featuring in 15 matches for the black and greens.
Other past clubs include Colwyn Bay, St Asaph and Llanrwst United.
A great role model and dependable, highly-committed player.
After helping Lex XI clinch promotion to tier 3 last season, Matthew Worrall returns to Denbigh Town, where he is held in very high regard.
The 30-year-old arrives for his third spell at the club having scored 42 goals in 52 matches for Denbigh and winning a league and cup double in the 2022/23 campaign.
“It’s great to have Matthew back with us, he’s a player I know inside out and brings real quality and experience to the side,” said Town manager Dewi Llion.
“His goal scoring record speaks for itself and he’s already had immense success with us, whilst as an experienced player he’ll be able to lead a young attack in the Cymru North.”
Worrall began his footballing journey with Llay Welfare before switching to Denbigh in March 2018. He made his debut for the club just days later, scoring within three minutes of being introduced from the bench and adding a second shortly after in a 5-1 win at home to Holyhead Hotspur.
The striker ended his first spell with six goals in nine games in the Cymru North before moving on to Rhyl that summer, then returning to Wrexham with Llay.
Worrall spent the next few seasons having spells with both Llay and Gresford Athletic, also spending time with Cheshire Football League side Capenhurst Villa.
In January 2023, Worrall rejoined Denbigh for a second incredibly successful spell. The forward bagged 21 goals in 20 games as Town lifted the Lock Stock Ardal North-West title and Lock Stock Ardal Northern League Cup – scoring twice in the Final.
The classic song ‘Welcome Home’ by Peters and Lee would be a very apt number to play over the speakers when Worrall first steps back onto the Central Park turf.
Defender Payne lands at Central Park from Llay Miners Welfare.
The 23-year-old becomes the Denbigh’s third signing of the summer, following Matthew Worrall and Dan Flanders.
Payne spent time as a youngster at the academy with Wrexham before joining Airbus UK Broughton. He made his debut for the Wingmakers as a substitute against Llanfair United in the Nathaniel MG Cup in August 2019.
He took his JD Cymru Premier bow a few weeks later from the bench away at Cefn Druids. He totalled 10 appearances in his first season in senior football, eight in the top tier in Wales.
Airbus suffered relegation to the JD Cymru North in 2020, and in 2021, Payne became a regular for the side, making 21 appearances for the Wingmakers as they earned promotion back to the Cymru Premier.
He added 23 more appearances in the top flight before making his first senior move in the summer of 2023.
His next stop was with Litherland REMYCA in the North West Counties Football League, where he spent a season before signing for Llay Welfare last summer.
Payne made 37 appearances in all competitions in Llay’s sole season in the JD Cymru North.
This talented, ball-playing centre-back made nine appearances for Cymru North club Denbigh Town last season, all as a substitute.
Aged 20, Stark already has North West Counties League experience with Irlam and Burscough, having started at Chester Academy.
New club Corwen tried to sign him from Denbigh back in January, but now the Ardal North East side is delighted to have got their man, who they are confident will fit in with their style of play.
Versatile 19-year-old central midfielder who has gathered Cymru North experience with both Denbigh Town and Ruthin Town over the past two seasons.
Corwen manager Jamie Hulse says Calum is keen to get more game time and is sure he will get his chance to flourish in the 2025-26 campaign.
Made seven appearances for Ardal North East club CPD Llanuwchllyn last season after beginning the campaign at Bala Town.
In 2023-24, this 21-year-old goalkeeper was a regular with Penycae in Ardal North East.
Clark originally arrived at Bala from Tranmere Rovers’ education programme. He was on the bench for the Lakesiders’ UEFA Conference League matches against Sligo Rovers at the start of 2023-24 and turned out regularly for the Development and Under-19 sides at Maes Tegid.
His experience will be vital in the season ahead as Corwen make their return to the Ardal North East League.
Great signing for Boded!
Callum, 18, is coming off the back of a tremendous debut season for Amlwch Town where he netted 15 goals in 21 appearances for the tier 4 club.
Fourteen of his goals came in the North Wales Coast West Premier Division, where he finished joint fourth highest scorer.
Callum was previously at Airbus UK Broughton, where he played for the under-15, U16 and U18 academy sides, as well as the development and reserve teams.
CPD Boded said on social media: “Callum is a very exciting young attacking player, has great composure on the ball, can pick out a pass and knows exactly where the goal is.
“We are sure Callum will be a cracking addition to what is already a very strong squad ahead of the new season.”
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