10 shining stars of 2025 in North Wales men’s football

SHINING STARS OF 2025…….

Here’s 10 men’s football stars Grassroots North Wales really enjoyed reporting on in 2025….

TOMOS OWEN (Holyhead Hotspur)

Since joining Hotspur from Llanberis at the start of 2023-24, this commanding central defender has been top drawer.
After helping Holyhead win promotion to the Cymru North last season, the 29-year-old skipper has been exceptional in his first Tier 2 campaign, not only preventing goals but also proving more than capable of scoring them.
In 2025, Owen made 31 appearances for Darren Garmey’s ever-improving side, notching five goals.

ALEX BROWN (Colwyn Bay)

He may have only been playing in North Wales for the last four months of 2025, but this amazing young goalkeeper has more than earned a place in this Best Of…. list.
Aged just 19, Alex joined Bay on loan at the start of the season until January from Chester.
Has there been a better shot-stopper on show in the Cymru Premier this season? Alex is right up there with the best.
The teenage talent has made 16 appearances for the Seagulls and kept seven clean sheets. The number of points he has earned Bay with his super saves is invaluable.

JOSH LOCK (Caernarfon Town)

One of the most entertaining players in the top flight, Josh has won numerous rave reviews for his performances in a Caernarfon shirt.
Joined the Cofis on loan from TNS in January 2025 and notched three goals in seven outings in the second half of last season.
His loan period has extended into 2025-26 and he has bagged seven goals in 21 appearances, but there is so much more to his game than just finding the net, his passing, pace and trickery making him a standout.

IWAN CARTWRIGHT (Llandudno)

Much has been made of Llandudno’s unbeaten run taking them top of the Cymru North this season, but as well as the goals they net, they are also proving dab-hands at stopping opponents from scoring.
Just seven goals conceded in 16 league games from the start of the campaign is phenomenal and much credit has to go to the defence, where Iwan Cartwright is a key member.
Signed as a defence-midfielder, since joining in the summer Cartwright has been outstandingly consistent in an outstandingly consistent team.
His Welsh Premier experience of more than 170 appearances no doubt helps and he is a danger in the opposition box too.

NIGEL GURAMATUNHU (CPD Bellevue)

A few notches lower down the pyramid is a Zimbabwean striker who is proving to be quite a success in his striking role.
It might be fair to say that Bellevue are not renowned for their goal returns or flying high up the league table, but what they do have is spirit and a love of the game and Nigel typifies what they are all about.
In 2025, the front man has scored 17 goals for the Wrexham team, who compete in North East Wales League Division 3. Nigel has netted eight in his last five games and bagged his first hat-trick in a 6-4 loss to Johnstown on December 13.

THOMAS BROADHURST (Cefn Albion)

Just 17 years of age, but a shining star for Tier 3 Cefn Albion since joining at the start of 2025-26 from The New Saints Academy, where he impressed during the first half of 2025.
Has scored 10 goals in 20 appearances for Ardal North East side Cefn, including a double in a sparkling 3-0 Welsh Cup win at Llay Welfare in August.
As well as pocketing five league goals in the ANE, Thomas has also provided five assists, proving he has tremendous potential as an all-round forward.

JOSH CAREY (CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876)

Dazzling right-winger who began the year at Colwyn Bay, helping them win the 2024-25 JD Cymru North title.
It was a big capture for Bangor City 1876 when they persuaded him to join their illustrious Tier 3 squad at the start of the current campaign.
Carey has been magnificent for Michael Johnston’s men, netting twice on his debut in an 11-0 FAW Amateur Trophy 11-0 beating of Broughton United.
The pacy attacker has so far chalked up eight goals in 13 appearances, playing a key role in the Citizens going 25 matches unbeaten in all competitions, hitting top spot in Ardal North West and reaching the quarter-finals of both the Welsh Cup and Amateur Trophy.

OSIAN MORRIS (Dolgellau AA)

Just 17, this terrific attacking player is in his second season with Tier 3 Dolgellau, whom he joined from Caernarfon Town Under-16s at the end of 2023-24.
Since then, in 49 appearances the young sensation has amassed 40 goals.
In his first campaign at Ardal North East level, he finished third top-scorer after netting 26 times.
Osian has scored 22 times for Dolgellau in 2025. He is also highly-rated for his performances representing Welsh Schools and Welsh Colleges.

TOMI JONES EVANS (Nefyn United)

What a prolific goalscorer this man is for Tier 4 hotshots Nefyn United.
The 26-year-old has fired in 31 goals in 38 appearances during 2025 for the Penwaig, who are currently third in the North Wales Coast West League Premier Division and well poised to push for the title and promotion in 2026.
Tomi is also a star man in the assists department. Last season he bagged 24 league goals and supplied 12 assists, making him fourth highest scorer/supplier in the Premier.

ARCHIE JONES (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)

A classy 23-year-old front man who signed for Rhyl 1879 in January 2025 from NFA, where he had been a very impressive performer.
Scored on Rhyl debut in a 2-0 win at Pwllheli and this year has netted 15 goals in 24 appearances for the Lilywhites.
Not just a goalscorer, but also a good link man, Archie played his part in 1879 winning the Ardal North West title last season.
Suffered a bad injury towards the end of the campaign which kept him out for a while but he’s come back well since August, his brightest moments including all four goals in a 4-3 win over Holyhead Hotspur, plus his stunning display in a 3-1 home triumph over Holywell on December 8, where he scored and provided an assist.