SPECIAL REPORT: Gwalchmai FC rebuilding after mass player exodus this summer

In a summer which has seen a mass exodus of players from Gwalchmai, the Anglesey club have made some much-needed additions to the squad.

Leon Owen, Darren Roberts, Dyfan Evans, Iwan Sawicz and renowned goalscorer Alan ‘Blacks’ Owen have all joined the Maes Meurig side recently.

Gwalch have lost several key players this summer, including goal kings Connor Owen, Asa Thomas and Dion Jones, as well as midfield aces Josh Owen and Gwion Thomas, plus defenders Andrew Jones and Carter Chessell.

The Ynys Môn club had an excellent 2024-25 season, finishing second in the tier 4 North Wales Coast West Premier Division, just four points behind champions Bethesda Athletic.

However, a number of that squad have departed in search of higher level football, leaving a great club no doubt feeling some insecurity about its future.

Hopefully, Gwalch’s new signings, those players they have retained, and perhaps some more additional faces before the 2025-26 campaign starts can steady the ship.

Here’s a look at manager Craig Evans’ latest recruits.

Alan Mark Owen

Experienced striker who scores goals everywhere he plays and will be determined to make an impact for Gwalchmai this season.

Known affectionately as Alan Blacks, the 33-year-old started his football career at Syr Hugh Owen, Caernarfon, where he was an integral part of the team that won the under 16 Welsh Schools Cup in 2007/08.

Upon leaving school he played in the Caernarfon and District League, enjoying a brief spell at Mountain Rangers as a goalkeeper before joining Caernarfon Borough, where he converted to a striker, topping their scoring charts twice.

The 2012/13 season saw Alan at Caernarfon Town and whilst playing for the reserve side he was called up by manager Lee Dixon to the first team, making one start and one appearance from the bench, scoring once as the side completed the treble of Welsh Alliance League title, FAW Trophy and Cookson Cup.

During the 2013/14 season he played for Town’s young reserve side under Bryn Williams which won the Reserve Premier League title and North Wales Coast Intermediate Cup.

His fine performances in the second string led to a call up to the senior side and he notched a hat-trick on debut as a sub in a 10-2 caning of Llanrhaeadr YM. He featured in 10 first-team games in all and shared the reserves top scorer award with Gavin Jones.

In 2014-15 Alan signed for Llanrug United of the Welsh Alliance League, winning the Mawddach Cup along the way and proving a very consistent goal scorer. His spell with ‘Rug was only interrupted by short stays at Llanllyfni and Bontnewydd.

Alan joined Llangefni Town in 2018-19. His career hit new heights when he won the Welsh Alliance title and Cookson Cup double with Cefni, scoring 19 goals for the islanders.

He also notched the all-important winner as Llangefni knocked Welsh Premier side Llanelli out of the Welsh Cup with a 1-0 success at Lon Talwrn.

Alan then returned to Llanrug in 2019-20, netting nine goals in 15 matches before the league was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He re-signed for Llangefni Town in June 2020, but by August 2020 had moved on to Mountain Rangers.

When football restarted in 2021-22, Alan played just three games for Rangers before landing back at Llanrug, netting 12 goals in 19 matches.

The start of 2022-23 brought a move to CPD Gaerwen, where the striker bagged 11 goals in 23 outings.

He returned to Mountain Rangers in 2023-24 with a brilliant return of 16 goals in 18 appearances.

Last season Alan began a fourth spell at Llanrug United, scoring four times in eight matches to make it a total of 96 goals in 156 appearances for the Eithin Duon club.

In October 2024, Alan switched to Rug’s local rivals Llanberis, pocketing eight goals in 10 games.

Iwan Sawicz

Made 50 appearances for Llangefni Town, 37 for the first team, mainly as a substitute, before joining Glantraeth in September 2023.
Played in 49 matches for Glan, scoring nine goals, prior to opting to join Gwalchmai this season.
Aged 21, good prospect with the quality to shine for Gwalch in the new campaign.

Leon Owen

Former clubs include Bontnewydd, Talysarn Celts, CPD Gaerwen, Nantlle Vale, Waunfawr and CPD Mountain Rangers.
Hoping to settle quickly at Gwalchmai and make his mark at the second Anglesey club he has represented in his career.

Darren Roberts

Rejoins Gwalchmai after a spell with CPD Llannerchymedd, who he signed for last October.
Has spent much of his career at Maes Meurig.

Dyfan Evans (previously reported)

Seventeen-year-old goal-getter who joins Gwalchmai from Llangefni Town, where he was a prolific marksman for the Under-17 side.

Retained players announced so far include Gareth Allman and Liam Dhillon.