Barry Owen will be a tough act to follow at Mold Alexandra

Barry Owen during his time as Mold Alex manager. Pictures: NIK MESNEY FAW

Mold Alexandra’s excellent start to the 2026-27 season has been jolted by the departure of highly-rated manager Barry Owen to fellow Cymru North club CPD Y Rhyl 1879.

Owen had led the Alex to third place in the Tier 2 league, their last result before the boss moving on yesterday being an outstanding 4-0 victory at leaders Brickfield Rangers.

The mood was high at Alyn Park, but now they face finding a replacement for the man who had inspired quite a revival at the Flintshire club.

Owen, former manager of Tier 3 sides Llanrwst United and St Asaph City, took on the Mold hot seat in May 2024, replacing Michael Cunningham and Steve Monk.

In Owen’s first season at the helm, Mold enjoyed a great run to the last 16 of the FAW Welsh Cup, knocking out Cymru Premier side Briton Ferry Llansawel along the way.

Alex’s progress ended with a battling 1-0 defeat at top flight Connah’s Quay Nomads.

Mold finished eighth in the Cymru North at the end of the campaign.

Last season saw improvement at Alyn Park, the Alex taking seventh place and rounding off 2025-26 with five straight league wins.

There was also a commendable display at The New Saints in the Welsh Cup where the underdogs narrowly lost 2-1.

The current season was shaping up to be the best of the Owen reign, Mold winning all five league matches between August 15 and September 6,

They have also reached the NEWFA Challenge Cup last eight and sit third in the Cymru North.

Barry Owen’s overall record at Mold was:

ALL COMPETITIONS

Matches 85
Wins 37
Draws 12
Losses 36

CYMRU NORTH

2024-25: P 30 W 13 D 5 L 12 GF 52 GA 48 PTS 44 POSITION 8TH
2025-26: P 30 W 12 D 5 L 13 GF 38 GA 45 PTS 41 POSITION 7TH
2026-27: P 11 W 7 D 2 L 2 GF 28 GA 13 PTS 23 POSITION 3RD
PLAYED 71 WON 32 DRAWN 12 LOST 27 GF 118 GA 106

Mold will be anxious to carry on the good work of Owen and his management team, starting this weekend where fate brings them a home league tussle with…..Rhyl 1879.

Owen will not face an instant head-to-head with his old club as he will not officially take over the Lilywhites until Sunday, November 1.

Mold are naturally disappointed to lose a management group under which they were making great progress and it will be interesting to see who replaces the outgoing crew at Alyn Park.