Referee Craig Griffiths now has two sons playing for the club where he enjoyed major success

Former footballer turned referee Craig Griffiths can delight in two of his sons playing for his ex-club this season.

Junior star Alfie Griffiths, 16, has stepped up to senior soccer with North Wales Coast East Division One side Prestatyn Sports, joining elder brother Hari, 19, in the squad.

Very proud dad Craig is a Sports legend himself, having scored 45 goals in a lethal striking partnership with Darren Cassidy for the club’s 2014-15 quadruple-winners.

Craig also played for Flintshire schoolboys, Liverpool FC academy, Welsh schoolboys, Connah’s Quay Nomads, Holywell Town and Prestatyn Town, where he was part of squads which took the club to new heights in the mid-2000s under Dave Fuller and Neil Gibson.

He is now a highly-rated FAW referee, but the playing side of the game carries on through Hari and Alfie.

Alfie’s graduation to senior football has been greeted with great excitement with him having shown so much promise as a junior.

His dad explained: “Alfie started off at Prestatyn Athletic at the age of 4. came up through the ranks at Connah’s Quay Nomads academy from the ages of 7 to 14, then decided to play with friends for the last 2 remaining years of his junior career and went to Prestatyn Sports.

“Alfie has shown great promise the last few years and is focused on playing to the highest level he can. He has the right attitude, So it’s only him that can achieve his ambition.

“I’ve never got in his way on what he wants to do in his footballing life and that will stay that way. I’ve talked with him and he has a pathway that he wants to do and I admire that.”

Craig added: “Speaking with Alfie he wants to start off his senior career with Prestatyn Sports playing with his brother Hari for a season and then decide his future next summer as he’s had numerous opportunities to play at higher level the last couple of months, but feels a year in Tier 5 with Sports getting used to adult football will do him good.”

As for the young talent himself, what’s it all about Alfie? He said: “Playing with seniors and my brother is where I want to be for a season.

“I’ve played 2 pre-season games and one Welsh Cup qualifier for Sports and scored 3 and had a few assists. I’ve felt really comfortable playing with the seniors and look forward to the season ahead.

“The lads have been really good with me and I really appreciate the support they all give me and I have some great banter with them.”

Brian Nickson, Prestatyn Sports manager, talked about Alfie’s final season as a junior.

“Last season, one player stood out for all the right reasons. A player who sees the game two steps ahead, glides across the pitch with control and confidence and has produced moments of pure quality week in, week out.

“Alfie’s last season was outstanding. From the goals he’s scored to the vision he’s shown, and let’s not forget those silky skills. He’s played with the kind of flair that’s impossible to teach. It’s instinctive, it’s natural, and it’s a joy to watch.”

Grassroots North Wales has not missed the chance to choose Alfie for our Dynamic Dozen prospects in the 2025-26 season, so we can report on his progress at different stages of the campaign.