Long-serving Llandudno Junction management team step down

Long-serving Llandudno Junction manager Colin Birtles and his assistant Ian Roberts have stepped down on the eve of the 2026-27 season.

Birtles was first listed as team manager in August 2019, his first game in charge a 3-1 Welsh Cup defeat at Aberffraw.

That 2019-20 campaign ceased early due to the worldwide pandemic. Junction finished 11th out of 15 sides in the Welsh Alliance League Division Two. They had reached the divisional cup quarter-finals, but the competition had to be scrapped early due to Covid.

When football returned in 2021-22, Junction found themselves in the Tier 4 North Wales Coast East Premier Division with Birtles at the helm.

The Railwaymen have stayed at this level for the past five seasons, finishing 9th in 2021-22; 5th in 2022-23; 3rd in 2023-24; 5th in 2024-25 and 7th last term.

Under Birtles, Junction reached two cup finals – the Cookson Cup in 2023-24, when they lost 1-0 to Kinmel Bay, and the 2025-26 NWCFA Intermediate Challenge Cup, which ended in a 2-0 defeat against Nefyn United.

LLANDUDNO JUNCTION’S COMPLETE MATCH RECORD UNDER COLIN BIRTLES (August 2019 to May 2026)

Played 189
Won 86
Drawn 31
Lost 72

SEASON-BY-SEASON

2019-20 (Welsh Alliance Division Two): 11th
2021-22 (North Wales Coast East Premier Division): 9th
2022-23 (North Wales Coast East Premier Division): 5th
2023-24: (North Wales Coast East Premier Division): 3rd
2024-25: (North Wales Coast East Premier Division): 5th
2025-26: (North Wales Coast East Premier Division): 7th

Llandudno Junction paid the following tribute to management team Birtles and Roberts:

On behalf of everyone at Llandudno Junction FC, we would like to place on record our sincere thanks for their incredible hard work, commitment and dedication to the club. During some of the club’s most challenging times, Colin and Ian remained loyal, helping to rebuild and strengthen the First Team while playing a huge part in the progress the club has made in recent years.

Their achievements include building a highly competitive squad, reaching two cup finals, and continually striving to develop both the team and the club. They were also committed to developing young players and providing opportunities for them to break through into the First Team, helping to create a clear pathway for players progressing through the club.

Their passion, professionalism and commitment have left a lasting impact on the club.

Colin and Ian have not only been outstanding coaches but valued committee members, dedicated volunteers and, above all, great friends to so many throughout the club. They have given countless hours of their own time, sacrificing evenings and weekends with their families to support, coach and inspire players while helping to move the club forward.

Both the First Team and the wider club will miss them greatly, and the committee cannot thank them enough for everything they have done.

We hope to see Colin and Ian back at the club in the future, supporting from the touchline and remaining part of the Junction family. They will always receive a warm welcome.

Everyone at Llandudno Junction FC wishes Colin, Ian and their families all the very best for the future and thanks them once again for their outstanding service to the club.