Lex XI form new management team in bid to turn their fortunes

Lex XI have appointed a new management team in a quest to save their season.

Currently winless and bottom of the Tier 3 Ardal North East League, the Lawmen have taken on Gary McConnell as joint first-team manager with Chris Hewitt, assisted by Dave Johnson, alongside Jack Knight as the club’s coach.

McConnell, Johnson and Knight recently left Ardal North West club Connah’s Quay Town after seven months at the helm.

Now comes a fresh challenge at Stansty Park.

McConnell said: “Having met with Chris and the committee at Lex I knew straight away that this was the next club for me.
“The club’s values were aligned with my own which was important to me.

“We have a huge task on our hands to fight relegation, but looking at the fixtures it’s achievable if we get hard work, commitment and that never give up attitude from the players and staff.

“We have built a very good management team, and a few quality additions to the playing squad with James Johnson, Lewis James and Jacob Dempsey should help us towards achieving our goals at Lex.

“There will be a few more players to add in the coming days as we look at a few options.”

LEX XI – CLUB STATEMENT

Welcoming the new appointments, Lex vice-chair Matt Oddie said: “This is fantastic news for the club following a difficult season. After earning promotion with both the first and reserve teams, we unfortunately lost around 20 players to competing clubs just a week before the season began.

“The challenges continued with the departure of the manager, and a further exodus of approximately 22 players, many of whom were unable to commit to the travel demands of Tier 3 football.

“Having met Gary on a number of occasions during his time at Flint Academy and Connah’s Quay, he always came across as personable, passionate, and hugely committed to the local game.

“When he became available, it was an easy decision to bring him to Lex. Gary and Chris have hit it off immediately and are already working hard to raise standards and give us the best possible chance in the final 10 games of the season to pick up vital points and fight to avoid relegation.

“Chris deserves enormous credit for the job he has done in steadying the ship and ensuring the team has remained competitive each week. He has taken on a role that many would have shied away from, especially given the significant loss of personnel.

“We have already completed four new signings to strengthen the squad, and Gary’s reputation within the game speaks for itself. Many players and respected figures in local football have contacted us to highlight what a top-class coach and man-manager he is. With a UEFA B Licence and a strong track record, he will be a huge asset to Lex Football Club.

“We wish Chris, Gary, Jonno, and Jack the very best of luck and have no doubt they are the right people to lead the rebuild at Lex.”

GARY McCONNELL – IN PROFILE

Born on January 4, 1985, Gary played as a pacey front man for a number of clubs before turning to coaching and management.

Here, he tells us about his football career to date.

“I started out as a youth at Buckley Town before moving to Hawarden Rangers where I quickly established myself as a first team squad player at the age of 16,

“Jim Hackett took me to Prestatyn Town the following year where I was awarded young player of the year.

“I then had 2 seasons with Caerwys before returning to Hawarden Rangers. Following a prolific goal scoring season I was snapped up by Airbus UK Broughton, starting in the reserves team there and managing to make my Welsh Premier League debut as a sub against Cefn Druids.

“My second season with Airbus saw me on the fringes of the first team squad having to compete with some fantastic forwards such as Marc Lloyd Williams, Carl Owen and Mark Cadwalder.

” I finished that season with 3 Welsh Premier goals and 29 goals for the reserves being awarded the reserves player of the season.

“We also became the first ever reserves team to make the NEWFA Cup final where we lost to Buckley Town having defeated holders Lex in the semi final.

“I moved to Buckley Town on loan which sadly did not work out as planned for me

“I then had 18 months with Denbigh Town before a move to Cefn Druids with them making the Welsh Cup final that season and qualifying for Europe

“I found myself doing pre-season with the reserves, then Penycae offered me the opportunity of first team football in Tier 2 which I could not turn down.

“Having been a bit of a journeyman for a few seasons I decided to return to local clubs such as Saltney, where I finished as top scorer and then FC Nomads, where I had finally settled with a brief spell in between at Mold Alex.

“I am really proud of scoring at every step in Welsh football (before T6 was formed).”

“I started coaching with a local grassroots team which led to the opportunity of coaching at Flint Academy, where I spent 10 years achieving my UEFA B licence and 6 years as a head of youth development.

“I always fancied a shot at management with a senior side and this was where Connah’s Quay Town gave me an opportunity.

“I was tasked with delivering a number of objectives which I was extremely proud to have achieved.

“Two of these objectives involved setting up a strong youth infrastructure where Connah’s Quay Town made the last 8 of a national competition.

“I set up a professional approach to how we applied ourselves in training and games. My final objective was to achieve T3 status which I was on course for before agreeing to go our separate ways.”

NEW SIGNINGS

James Johnson

Nineteen-year-old defender who signed for Connah’s Quay Town in February 2025, making 29 first team appearances before deciding to join former managers Gary McConnell, Dave Johnson and James Knight at Lex.
Previously with Buckley Town and Flint Town United, featuring mainly for the reserve and development teams, as well as Hawarden Rangers at under-15 level.

Lewis James

Joined Connah’s Quay Town at the start of this current season and played in 18 matches for the Deesiders, netting three goals.
Last season James made a huge impression at Tier 5 club CPD Yr Wyddgrug, scoring 32 times in 28 matches.

Jacob Dempsey

Nineteen-year-old defender who made 20 appearances for Connah’s Quay Town this season before opting to join Lex XI.
Previously wuih Flint Town United, where he mainly represented the Development side.
At 6 ft 7, Dempsey offers height in both boxes.