Dynamic double for Holyhead Hotspur!

What a month for Holyhead Hotspur! Deserved recognition for Darren Garmey and Connor Owen

It’s a deserved double for Holyhead Hotspur in the JD Cymru Leagues’ monthly awards.

Darren Garmey has been named JD Cymru North Manager of the Month, while striker Connor Owen has landed Player of the Month.

After a difficult start to the season where they failed to win in their opening 10 Cymru North matches, Hotspur burst into life during November, taking nine points out of a possible 12.

Three victories were achieved, all at home, with Holyhead beating Denbigh Town 3-2, Gresford Athletic 3-0 and Flint Mountain 3-1.

The good form continued last weekend as the Holy Islanders triumphed 1-0 at Ruthin Town to lift themselves into 10th spot.

Garmey, 42, has been Hotspur’s first team manager since 2018, having previously spent six seasons as assistant-boss.

He led the club to the Welsh Alliance League title in 2019-20 and after relegation from the Cymru North in 2022-23, Garmey was in charge of the Holyhead side which earned promotion back to Tier 2 after beating Llanuwchllyn in an end-of-season Ardal North West play off in May.

JD CYMRU NORTH – NOVEMBER 2025

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Connor Owen (Holyhead Hotspur)

The 20-year-old scored an impressive five goals during November, including a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Gresford Athletic. Owen finished the month on seven league goals for the season.

Owen signed for Holyhead in summer 2025 having made a huge impact at previous club Gwalchmai of Tier 4.

Making his senior debut for Gwalch in 2021-22, Owen went on to score 113 goals in 130 appearances for the Ynys Mon village club, winning the Cwpan Snowdonia Fire and Security Cup in 2022-23, scoring twice in the final, before lifting the NWCFA Intermediate Challenge Cup in 2023-24.

In 2024-25, he bagged 33 goals in all competitions, finishing as joint-winner of the Bob Brodie Trophy for the leading marksman on Anglesey.

This season, Owen had notched eight goals in 18 appearances for Holyhead Hotspur, where he has adjusted superbly to life in Tier 2.

MANAGER OF THE MONTH
Darren Garmey (Holyhead Hotspur)

Despite the defeat to Guilsfield, Holyhead Hotspur also won three league games during November as Darren Garmey’s side defeated Denbigh Town, Gresford Athletic and Flint Mountain, scoring three goals in each victory, to move away from relegation danger and up to 11th in the table.