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55
The Graduates
From LoW/WP To ENGLISH Football League & BEYOND
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55
ANYONE CONCERNED THAT AN IMAGE HAS BEEN USED WITHOUT PERMISSION PLEASE CONTACT ME: mikesmithbcfc@yahoo.com
Players are only included if they played League Football after having played in the Welsh Premier

 
 Goalkeepers
8
 Defenders
15
 Midfielders
11
 Forwards
21
Running Total
55
 


GOALKEEPERS
 GOALKEEPERS   GOALKEEPERS   GOALKEEPERS


Mark Ovendale
Pos:
Goalkeeper
Born
22 November 1973

Leicester
WP
Barry Town
EFL
Luton Town

 
Mark Ovendale joined Barry Town from Northampton after making just six Football League appearances.  The backbone of Barry's Championship successes, he was offered the chance to move to Bournemouth for whom he made 46 league appearances in the 1998/99 season.  In August 2000 moved to Luton Town for £425,000 before joining York City in August 2003.  On 31st May 2004 he was free transferred by York despite making league 41 appearances that season.  In April 2006 Mark was playing with Tiverton Town in the Souther League.
  Joined Northampton from English Non League Wisbech but during the summer of 2006 joined ambitious Carmarthen Town as a replacment for the departed Tony Pennock. Later moved to Newport and then Wimborne.  
  Sadly Mark died of cancer in August 2011.

    Football League career totals 0 goals in 174 appearances.


Glynn Garner
Pos:
Goalkeeper
Born
9 December 1976

Pontypool
WP
Llanelli
EFL
Bury
  Glynn Garner was a vocal organiser of the Llanelli defence under manager Leighton James.  He took the eye with a series of commanding displays.  During the close season of 2000 he joined Bury for an undisclosed fee and by the end of July 2005 he had made over 124 footbal league appearances of the Gigg Lane side and moved to Leyton Orient during that summer.  
  On Saturday 27th May 2006 Glyn won his first full Welsh International cap as a substitute in the 2-1 win against Trinidad & Tobago.  In June 2007 Glynn joined Shrewsbury Town for whom he turned out 45 times before moving on to Grays, Newport and Bath in May 2011.
 
  Football League career totals 0 goals in 256 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)


Simon Rayner
Pos:
Goalkeeper
Born
8 July 1983

Langley, British Col.
WP
Port Talbot
EFL
Lincoln City

   
A towering goalkeeper who - at times - seemed unbeatable in the WP for Barry Town and then Port Talbot making a total of 46 league appearances.  Canadian born Simon Rayner enjoyed a four match spell with Lincoln City in Autumn 2004 before embarking on a loan spell with Alfreton Town. He then made 40 starts for Torquay United from March 2007 and August 2008, before moving on to Crawley Town and more recently Three Bridges in the Sussex County League.
  He had previously played at youth team level for Bournemouth and represented Canada at Under 23 level when he kept a clean sheet against chief rivals USA in December 2002.
    Football League career totals 0 goals in 46 appearances.



Mark Deegan
Pos:
Goalkeeper
Born
12 November 1971

Liverpool
WP
Holywell
EFL
Oxford United


  Liverpol born glovesman Mark played for Holywell Town in the early years of the Welsh Premier before joining Oxford United during the 1994-95 season. He made two Football League appearances for United during that season before joining Barrow.
  Mark returned to Welsh Premier football and made one appearances for Bangor City during the 1995-96 season the home UEFA Cup leg with FC Haka, and returned the following season to make thirteen league starts before moving on to Caernarfon Town (1998-2000) and TNS (2000-2002).

   Football League career totals 0 goals in 2 appearances.



David Forde
Pos:
Goalkeeper
Born
20 December 1979

Galway
WP
Barry Town
EFL
Lincoln City


  David played for Galway in The Republic of Ireland before joining Barry Town and making 16 WP appearances during the 2001-02 season.
  West Ham signed him but never played him (in the first team) and after loan spells with Derry City and Barnet he was to return to Galway in 2004 and then Derry City a year later. In 2006 he joined Cardiff and made seven League starts before playing for Luton and Bournemouth on loan.
  In 2008 he embarked upon a lengthy stay with Millwall which by January 2014 had yielded 234 appearances and potential well and truly fulfilled.

  
Football League career totals 0 goals in 264 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)



Paul Whitfield
Pos:
Goalkeeper
Born
6 May 1982

St Asaph
WP
Newtown
EFL
Wrexham




  Paul was a young professional with Wrexham who was sent out on loan to Connahs Quay and Newtown in order to gain experience during the 2001-02 season.
  The following season he made eight Football League starts for The Racecourse club before losing his place to Andy Dibble.
  Paul then returned to Welsh Premier circles to play for Bangor City, Airbus UK and Rhyl.

  Football League career totals 0 goals in 8 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)






Andy Dibble
Pos:
Goalkeeper
Born
8 May 1965

Cwmbran
WP
Barry Town
EFL
Hartlepool


  Cwmbran born goalkeeper Andy Dibble began his career in 1982 with Cardiff City and, during a twenty years between the sticks, played for close on twenty league clubs.
  In so doing he notched up just under 400 League appearances and was a season professional before a brief and ill fated sojourn with Barry Town in 1998. He had already played a hundred times for Manchester City, enjoyed loans spells with Aberdeen, Middlesbrough and Bolton before arriving at Jenner Park on loan from Stockport County.
  Unhappily Dibble slid on some Lime line markings and suffered severe burns which threatened his career, during a match at Carmarthen. He needed skin grafts but persevered to relaunch his career with Hartlepool, Stockport County and Wrexham.
  Andy was capped three times by Wales.
  Football League career totals 0 goals in 397 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)





Kevin Pilkington
Pos:
Goalkeeper
Born
8 March 1974

Hitchin
WP
Aberystwyth Town
EFL
Mansfield



  Born in Hitchin but a one time Manchester United trainee, Kevin made half a dozen league starts for the Old Trafford club before taking in loan spells at Rochdale, Rotherham and Celtic.
  In 1998 he signed for Port Vale and during the 2000-01 season made a solitary appearance for Aberystwyth Town. He then signed for Wigan Athletic but didnt play before moving on to Mansfield making 170 appearances in a five year stay. He then made 141 appearances for Notts County and 23 for Luton Town before joiining Mansfield on loan in 2011.
  In 2012 after a brief spell with Ilkeston Town the nomadic glovesman was appointed goalkeeping coach at Notts County and announced his retirement from playing.
  Football League career totals 0 goals in 264 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)


DEFENDERS
 DEFENDERS   DEFENDERS   DEFENDERS 



Wayne Evans
Pos:
Fullback
Born
25 August 1971

Abermule
WP
Llanidloes
EFL
Walsall


  Wayne Evans was the highest achiever of the talented Evans family whose brothers Ian and Garry played for Welhspool Town.
  He made a solitary LoW start for Llanidloes during the opening season 1992-93 before joining Walsall in 1993 and making 183 League starts before moving to Rochdale six years later and totting up a further 259 appearances before joining then Conference side Kidderminster in 2005.

  Most recently working for Shrewsbury Town on the youth academy.
 
Football League career totals 4 goals in 442 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)


Peter Wilding
Pos:
Centre half
Born
28 November 1968

Shrewsbury
WP
Newtown
EFL
Shrewsbury Town
 
 
Peter Wilding had played for junior clubs in Shrewsbury before being spotted by Newtown manager Brian Coyne.  He became a reliable if unspectacular part of the improving Robins side until Assistant Manager Jake King was appointed manager of Telford United and then Shrewsbury Town, Wilding moving with him in both instances.  By the end of the 1998/99 season he had made 76 league appearances, Peter was released by The Shrews in May 2003 after more than 200 first team appearances for the club.
  Most recently working for Shrewsbury Town on the youth academy.
  Football League career totals 7 goals in 171 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)



Gethin Jones
Pos:
Centre half
Born
8 August 1981

Carmarthen
WP
Carmarthen Town
EFL
Cardiff City

 
A talented young defender with Carmarthen Town, Gethin Jones signed professional terms for Cardiff City in August 2000.  However things did not work out for the young defender who was released by The Bluebirds following a loan spell at Weymouth. 
  More recently involved with Merthyr Tydfil - where he spent two seasons - and Bath City.

  Football League career totals 0 goals in 3 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)


Andrew Mumford
Pos:
Midfield
Born
18 June 1981

Neath
WP
Llanelli
EFL
Swansea City
  Andrew Mumford was an outstanding teenage talent in the Llanelli side under manager Leighton James in the 1999-2000 season.  He was comfortable in centre midfield or defence.  League scouts had watched the youngster on numerous occasions; at the end of that season local club Swansea City were the one who took a chance.  
  However, after 62 League appearances, Swans manager Brian Flynn released Mumford in June 2003 and he spent brief periods with Aldershot and Newport County before returning to the WP with Aberystwyth Town and Port Talbot in the 2004-05 season.
  By March 2008 Andrew was back in full time football with Llanelli.

  Football League career totals 6 goals in 62 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)


Gareth Hanmer
Pos:
Lefback
Born
12 October 1973

Shrewsbury
WP
Newtown
EFL
Shrewsbury Town
   Gareth Hanmer had been a Shrewsbury Town apprentice who was recruited to Newtown by Brian Coyne. 
  A skilful attacking left footed player, the diminutive Hamner was often unplayable at LoW level.  He moved to West Bromich Albion but after failing to make a league appearance joined Shrewsbury Town under Jake King.   
  By the end of the 1998/99 season he had made 85 league appearances.

  Football League career totals 1 goals in 85 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)


Mark Delaney
Pos:
Rightback
Born
13 May 1976

Haverfordwest
WP
Carmarthen Town
EFL
Aston Villa
 
 
Mark Delaney was establishing himself in the first team at Carmarthen Town when Cardiff City moved in for him. 
  Just 28 league games later and he completed a £250 000 move to Premiership club

Aston Villa
.  He established himself in the full Wales International squad, the first LoW "graduate" to achieve Premiership and International status. 
  By April 2006 he had amassed over 150 Premiership appearances for Villa and 33 International caps for Wales, by the end of the 2006-07 season Mark had totalled 172 league starts and 35 Welsh Caps.

   Sadly that was it for Mark as injury forced him into early retirement at which time he took up a role in the youth development set up at Villa Park.

  Football League career totals 2 goals in 186 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)


Alan Goodall
Pos:
Leftback
Born
2 December 1981

Liverpool
WP
Bangor City
EFL
Rochdale

  
Left footed defender Alan Goodall joined Bangor City from local football on the Wirral although he had been involved with Tranmere Rovers as a youngster.  He impressed as a hard working, honest player whose cultured left foot was equally effective in attack and defence.  In times of injury Alan could play in central defence or midfield; he was always prepared to lead by example and give of his best.  
   During the summer of 2004 he spent a trial period at Wrexham which came to nothing but
Rochdale boss Steve Parkin took the chance and Goodall made his League debut for 'Dale in August 2004.  By June 2007 Alan made 110 League apearances for Rochdale scoring ten goals before a twelth month stint at Luton Town and 4 goals in 25 starts before joining Chesterfield in August 2008. By October 2009 Alan had added 3 goals in 27 starts for the Saltergate club. In August 2009 Alan underwent ankle surgery to try and resolve a persistent injury.
  Two loan spells followed with non league Newport and then Stockport County before on 1st June 2011 he signed for Fleetwood for whom he scored four goals from 64 League appearances by January 2014. Alan also made seven Conference appearances in a brief loan spell at Grimsby in September/October 2013.
   
Football League career totals 16 goals in 275 appearances. (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)


Kevin Lloyd
Pos:
Leftback
Born
26 September 1970

Llanidloes
WP
Caersws
EFL
Cardiff City

 
Kevin Lloyd was a skilful attacking leftback with Caersws who caught the eye of several Football League clubs.  Hereford United were the club who signed him to eventually make 51 league appearances before a move to Cardiff City which yielded another 33 matches.  Kevin returned to Caersws, but moved on to  Bath City of the Dr Martens League before serious injury ended his career.

  Football League career totals 4 goals in 84 appearances. (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)



Chris King
Pos:
Leftback
Born
14 November 1980

Liverpool
WP
TNS
EFL
Accrington Stanley


  Chris joined Accrington Stanley from TNS in August 2008 and quickly established himself as first choice leftback with the Lancashire club.
  After 28 League appearances for Stanley he was released due to, or following, persistent injuries.
  Chris is the son of former Tranmere and Bangor City iron man Alan King.

  Football League career totals 0 goals in 28 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)


Steve Evans
Pos:
Centreback
Born
26 February 1979

Wrexham
WP
TNS
EFL
Wrexham

 
Steve Evans joined West Bromwich Albion and then Crewe Alexandra as a youngster without gaining any first team experience and drifted into the Welsh Premiership.  After an unpromising start he established himself as the lynchpin centre half in the TNS side which won back to back championships and gained Welsh Semi Professional honours.  His brother Ricky Evans has played for Bangor City, TNS and Rhyl.
  In June 2006 Steve signed for his home town side Wrexham who were rebuilding under the experienced Denis Smith - a former Stoke City centrehalf of an earlier era.  By February 2009 a succession of managers had come and gone, Dean Saunders opted to release the big defender after 75 League starts for the club, and he rejoined TNS.

  Football League career totals 7 goals in 80 appearances. (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)
 


Phil Baker
Pos:
Centreback
Born
4 November 1982

Birkenhead
WP
Bangor City
EFL
Exeter City
  Phil Baker was a Tranmere Rovers apprentice who was released before he broke into the first team, and snapped up by Bangor boss Peter Davenport.
  He quickly established himself as an outstanding centreback and helped push City into the 2002-03 title race before a surprise move to doomed Exeter City who were fighting a losing battle at the foot of the football league.  Baker made six league appearances for The Grecians after signing in March 2003.
  He was released and returned to the Wirral and initially signed for Aberystwyth Town, then on to Droylsden before re-signing for Bangor.  Phil moved to TNS in June 2005 and was still an integral part of the full time set up during the summer of 2013

  Football League career totals 0 goals in 6 appearances. (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)


Jim McNulty
Pos:
Centreback
Born
13 February 1985

(Scottish)
WP
Caernarfon Town
EFL
Macclesfield

 
A Wrexham apprentice who never broke into the first team Jim McNulty was released by The Robins and moved into Welsh Premiership football with Bangor City.  After half a dozen first team appearances he moved along the coast to Caernarfon Town where played more than 60 WP matches before leaving The Oval in July 2006.
   During this time Jim played as a leftback, centre back and occasionally sweeper.
  At the end of July 2006 he impressed on trial with
Macclesfield Town and signed a twelve month deal with The Silkmen under the management of Brian Horton. After one goal in 28 starts for Macclesfield he moved to Stockport County where one goal in 37 league starts followed. In February 2009 he moved to Brighton for £150 000 but suffered a serious kidney injury and as at October 2009 has just thirteen starts to his name.
  In March 2010 he joined Scunthorpe United on loan playing nine games without scoring (in two spells) before being transferred to Barnsley on 1st July 2011 where he scored twice in 56 appearances. On 17th January 2014 Jim joined Bury where he made one appearance immediately.
  Jim has represented Scotland at Under 17, 19 and 21 level.


  
Football League career totals 5 goals in 165 appearances.  (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)


Martyn Giles
Pos:
Leftback
Born
10 April 1983

Cardiff
WP
Carmarthen Town
EFL
Hereford United

 
A skilful left sided defender Martin Giles spent four years at Cardiff City but made only one league start before initially joining Morecambe.
  He then made a total of 66 Welsh Premier appearances for Barry Town, Port Talbot and Carmarthen.
  In July 2006 he joined Hereford United. "He trained with us for a couple of days last week on a trial basis," says Bulls' manager Graham Turner. "I just think he's got a fair amount of ability and needs the chance at a decent level again."  Martyn made thirteen league appearances for The Bulls.
 
   Football League career totals 0 goals in 18 appearances.  (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)



Gareth Evans
Pos:
Defence
Born
10 January 1987

Wrexham
WP
Cefn Druids
EFL
Wrexham


  Wrexham born defender Gareth Evans spent a season on loan with Cefn Druids for whom he made some thirty WP starts in 2003-04 before returning to The Racecourse and making 25 League appearances for Wrexham.
   After brief loan spells at Northwich and Tamworth he moved to America to play for Austin Aztex and then Reakl Maryland Monarchs either side another brief (one match) stay with Vauxhall FC.
   He then made a couple of appearances for Chester before returning to the states and playing for a few more quaintly named American sides.

   Football League career totals 0 goals in 25 appearances.  (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)



Danny Holmes
Pos:
Defence
Born
6 January 1989

Birkenhead
WP
TNS
EFL
Tranmere Rovers



  Wirral based fullback Danny Holmes made an appearance for Tranmere Rovers before being released and spending a couple of successful seasons with TNS.
  After 58 appearances for The Saints he returned to Prenton Park in June 2011 and after a loan spell at Fleetwood established a regular place with Tranmere Rovers.
  Danny is the brother of Tommy Holmes who also played for TNS amongst others.

   Football League career totals 2 goals in 88 appearances.  (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)


MIDFIELDERS
   MIDFIELDERS    MIDFIELDERS    MIDFIELDERS


Neil Fisher
Pos:
Midfield
Born
7 November 1970

St Helens
WP
Bangor City
EFL
Chester City
  Neil Fisher joined Bangor under manager John King having made over 130 Football League appearances for Bolton Wanderers (1 goal in 24 games) where he began as a trainee and spent six years, and then Chester City whom he joined in June 1995 and scored four goals in 108 appearances.
  After turning out for Bangor in 1998-99 the Welsh Premier (10 appearances), Neil then joined coast rivals Connahs Quay (7), Neil rejoined Chester under the management of Kevin Ratcliffe for whom he scored nine goals in a further 191 League appearances plus 33 cup matches.  
  More recently Neil played for Leigh RMI (Genesis) and Speke.

  A quiet, determined character Neil went about his business in a unfussy but effective manner.
   Football League career totals 17 goals in 368 appearances.  (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)


Gary Jones
Pos:
Midfield
Born
3 June 1977

Skelmersdale
WP
Caernarfon Town
EFL
Swansea City
  Combative midfielder Gary Jones was one of many Birkenhead based players with Caernarfon Town before catching the eye of Swansea City for whom he was to make 8 Football League appearances. 
 In January 1998 he moved on to
Rochdale on loan in a deal which was made permanent the following month scored 22 goals in 145 League appearances.
  November 2001 saw a £200,000 move to
Barnsley where he scored twice in 56 League matches.  Two years later he returned to Rochdale where by June 2012 he added 52 goals in 335 more league starts.
  Released in June 2012 Gary joined Bradford where - at the end ofJanuary 2014 he was still alive and kicking and had totted up 66 appearances and five goals.
   Football League career totals 81 goals in 607 appearances.  (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)
Official figures deny Gary made an League appearances for Swansea but records show eight were made.




Gary Twynham
Pos:
Forward
Born
8 February 1973

Bangor
WP
Bangor City
EFL
York City


  A powerful yet skilful attack minded midfielder Gary Twynham began his career with Manchester United.
  Prestatyn based he played trained with City but moved on to Darlington and made 31 Football League appearances, scoring three times, from 1995-97.
  He went on to play for Gateshead, Grantham and Lincoln in non league football.
  Gary joined Bangor under the management of Lee Williams and played three times during the 1998-99 season (scoring twice) having played for Rhyl the previous season. Ironically he notched a brace against Rhyl in February 1999.
  He was soon off to Hednesford and then Macclesfield in August 2000 where he made nine Football League appearances under the management of Peter Davenport before returning to Welsh football with Rhyl and then Haverfordwest, Port Talbot and Barry Town during the 2003-04 season.

   Football League career totals 3 goals in 40 appearances.


John Leah
Pos:
Midfield
Born
3 August 1978

Shrewsbury
WP
Newtown
EFL
Darlington

 
Midfielder John Leah was a Llansantffraid reserve and first team squad member who was never allowed a first team run with The Saints. 
  He moved to Newtown and in August 1998 to
Darlington for whom he had made seven Football League (and one FA Cup) appearances  between December 1998 and February 1999.  John was appointed captain of Darlington reserves at the start of the 1999/2000 season. 
  He returned to Newtown and then to full timers TNS where he won WP Championship medals as he trained to become a physioptherapist. He has since also played for Rhyl.
 
Football League career totals 0 goals in 7 appearances.  (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)


Owain Tudor Jones
Pos:
Midfield
Born
15 October 1984

Bangor
WP
Bangor City
EFL
Swansea City
   A tall, hard working midfielder Owain Tudor Jones will be remembered by Bangor fans for his wholehearted and composed displays in more than a hundred first team appearances for the Farrar Road club.
 
 He made his first team debut as a gangly sixteen year old but under the watchful eye of manager Peter Davenport blossomed into a commanding central midfielder who earned a trial with Premiership giants Chelsea.  In July 2005 he spent a few weeks on trial with
Swansea City which generated a twelve month contract, making his League and first team debut against Tranmere on the opening day of the 2005-06 season. 
   His stay at Swansea lasted until July 2009 when he joined Norwich City for £250 000. During this time he made 26 starts, scoring three times for The Swans and scored once during an eleven game loan spell with Swindon. At Christmas 2010 Owain was on loan at Yeovil Town. where he scored twice in a total of twenty appearances. In January 2011 he moved to Brentford (also on loan) and made four appearances before returning to Norwich.
  Owain then went to Yeovil twice, first in January 2010 (1 goals in six games) and again in August 2010
(1 in 14) before another loan move, this time to Brentford in January 2011 (0 in 6). In July 2011 he was transferred to Inverness CT (2 in 48) before joining Hibernian in May 2013 where, by January 2014, he had added a further twelve appearances without scoring.
   As at January 2014 Owain had seven full International caps for Wales.


  
Football League career totals 9 goals in 146 appearances. (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)


Huw McAuley
Pos:
Midfield
Born
13 May 1977

Plymouth
WP
Conwy United
EFL
Cheltenham
  Hugh McAuley joined Conwy United under Wirral based manager John Hulse and established as a pacey wide midfielder.  He moved to Southport and then Leek Town - when many Conwy players had followed Hulse to Bangor City - and began scoring goals for the midlands side.
  After a successful season he was signed by
Cheltenham Town as they prepared for their first season in the Football League in July 1999.  Hugh scored nine goals in 100 Football League appeareances for Cheltenham.
  In 2003 he moved to Kidderminster and an added four more League appearances before
  Since then his nomadic career has taken in Northwich, Forest Green, Aldershot, Forest Green and then Tamworth.
  After retiring from playing Hugh became involved in running Formby FC.

  
Football League career totals 9 goals in 146 appearances. (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)


Mike Flynn
Pos:
Midfield
Born
12 October 1980


WP
Barry Town
EFL
Wigan Athletic

 
Midfielder signed by Barry from Newport County in November 2000, noted for his dangerous runs from midfield and ability to finish. 
  Mike was transferred to
Wigan Athletic for around £25000 in June 2002 where he scored twice from 37 appearances before moving to Blackpool on loan (3 in 26) and then Gillingham (19 in 97) before a transfer to Blackpool in June 2007 (3 in 28).
  In August 2008 he moved to Huddersfield (4 in 25) and in December of that year he spent a month on loan at Darlington (0 in 4). August 2009 saw a permanent move to Bradford where ten goals in 94 league starts before a move to Conference Newport who regained their league status in 2013 from which date he has added seventeen league appearances scoring twice.

 
Football League career totals 42 goals in 304 appearances. (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)


Kevin Ellison
Pos:
Wing
Born
23 February 1979

Liverpool
WP
Conwy United
EFL
Leicester City
   Long striding winger Kevin Ellison caught the eye with his dashing runs for Conwy United under the management of John Hulse in the 1998-99 season.  He moved onto Altrincham where he came to the attention of football league scouts with Leicester City the club willing to take a chance and pay a £50,000 fee.
  After making a solitary substittute appearance at Leicester a similar fee saw the winger move to
Stockport County in November 2001. This yielded two goals in 57 games.
   Kevin has since played for Lincoln City (0 in 13) on loan and Chester (9 in 24) who in turn sold him to Hull City (2 in 39) in January 2005 for £100,000.   In June 2006 he moved closer to home with a free transfer to Tranmere Rovers (4 in 36) and then back to local rivals Chester (9 in 35) a year later.
  In July 2009 he moved to Rotherham (12 goals in 65 games) before joining Bradford on loan in February 2011 (1 in 7) and most recently Morecambe in June 2011 where 33 goals in 98 games followed by January 2014.

   Football League career totals 96 goals in 440 appearances. (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)



Connall Murtagh
Pos:
Midfield
Born
29 June 1985

Belfast
WP
Connahs Quay
EFL
Wrexham


 
   Belfast born Connall Murtagh began his career with Ballymena and Crusaders before crossing the Irish sea to play for Raith Rovers in the Scottish League.
  In 2005-06 he made 27 WP appearances for Connahs Quay and the following season 25 for Rhyl before moving to Southport and then Wrexham (then in the "fourth division"). After four League outings for  The Racecourse side Connall moved to Droylsden on loan and then retuned to Welsh football with TNS.   He has since played for Aberystwyth and Bala.
  During this adventure Connall become one of a small band of players to have appeared in the four British Leagues.

   Football League career totals 0 goals in 4 appearances. (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)



Craig Jones
Pos:
Midfield
Born
Chester

20 March 1987
WP
The New Saints
EFL
Bury



  A pacey little right winger Craig has played for Buckley Town in the Cymru Alliance as a youngster before moving on to the Welsh Premier with Airbus, Aberystwyth, Rhyl and then The New Saints.
  Craig had been on trial at Leeds and was reported to have attracted the attention of numerous club scouts but nothing materialised, Then in the summer of 2012 he moved to Bury where a two year deal cemented his place at the club and a league debut quickly followed.
  Craig is the son of former Chester winger Brynley Jones.
 
 
Football League career totals 1 goals in 43 appearances. (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)


STRIKERS
   STRIKERS   STRIKERS   STRIKERS   STRIKERS


Tony Bird
Pos:
Forward
Born
1 September 1974

Cardiff
WP
Barry Town
EFL
Swansea City
  
  
Tony Bird had several years experience - and 75 League appearances - for Cardiff City scoring 17 goals before joining Barry Town in January 1996.  He was prominent in the all conquering Dragons side before joining Swansea City in August 1997.  In this second spell in English football he had made 86 league appearances before his release by The Swans in June 2000, after a brief loan spell with Merthyr Tydfil.
   His nomadic instincts then took Bird to Kidderminster Harriers where he scored three in 51 appearances before moving to Irish side St Patricks in July 2002. He later played for Drogheda United before coming closer to home with Cardiff Grange Quins, Bath City and Haverfordwest.

  Football League career totals 34 goals in 212 appearances.


Andy Cooke
Pos:
Forward
Born
20 January 1974

Stoke
WP
Newtown
EFL
Burnley
  Andy Cooke was a pacey striker and prolific scorer with Newtown who seemed certain to move into fulltime football.  His chance came when Burnley played a five figure fee for him, since which Andy has made 124 League appearances, scoring 43 goals.
  Moved to Stoke City (21 in 94 games) in for £300 000 December 2000 and then on to Bradford City (5 in 37) in January 2005.  Has a career record of 76 goals in 280 League appearances prior to the start of the 2005-06 season. 
  In February 2006 Andy moved to
Darlington where he made another dozen or so League appearances before moving closer to home with Shrewsbury Town in July 2006.  By March 2008 Andy had added a further 14 goals from 27 starts to his career record.
 
  Football League career totals 95 goals in 364 appearances.


Dave D'Auria
Pos:
Forward
Born
26 March 1970

Swansea
WP
Barry Town
EFL
Hull City

 
Dave D'Auria was a Swansea trainee, made 45 League appearances before joining Barry Town in 1991.  After three seasons at Jenner Park he moved to Scarborough (52 apps) and then Scunthorpe United (107) before joining Hull City in 1998.  He made 54 League appearances for The Tigers before moving on to Chesterfield in 1999-2000 where in three injury ravaged seasons he made 25 league appearances to accumalate a league total of 249 starts and 34 as a substitute.  Dave most recently played for Skewen Athletic during the 2004-05 season before the club merged with Neath.

  Football League career totals 37 goals in 283 appearances.






Dele Adebola
Pos:
Forward
Born
23 June 1975

Lagos, Nigeria
WP
Bangor City
EFL
Crewe Alexandra

   A huge, powerful but skilful Liverpool based striker Dele Adebola made a big impression in his brief stay at Farrar  Road in the 1993-94 season.
   Dele was at Crewe as a youngster but spent a loan period with Bangor under the management of Nigel Adkins, playing in just four LoW matches during the 193-94 season.  He soon went back to Gresty Road where he scored 26 goals in 96 appearances. A £1m move to Birmingham followed (43 in 85) and then a brief loan spell with Oldham in March 2002. On to Crystal Palace and 7 goals in 32 league games played in 2002-03 before signing for Coventry City in June 2003.  
   Dele has netted 37 times in 100 League matches for The Sky Blues whilst also enjoying brief loan spells with
Burnley and Braford. In January 2008 Dele moved to Bristol City where he made 56 league appearances and scored sixteen. He then spent two years at Nottingham Forest scoring 5 in 62 games, none from ten for Hull City and then ended the 2011-12 season on loan at Notts County with one goal in six appearances.
  His final league club was Rochdale whom he joined in August 2012 and scored  6 in 26 league games. Dele then played for Wrexham and - in January 2014 - Rushall Olympic.
    Football League career totals 138 goals in 649 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)


Andy Evans
Pos:
Forward
Born
1 April 1978

Aberystwyth
WP
Abeyrstwyth Town
EFL
Barnsley
  A tall goalscoring forward, Andy Evans who made fifteen appearances for Cardiff City, won a Welsh U21 cap, but then drifted through Merthyr Tydfil  and Ebbw Vale to Aberystwyth and a job as a postman.  With Aber he started the 1999/2000 season in goalscoring form and immediately attracted the interest of First Division Barnsley and a £15000 transfer fee.  
  He was loaned out to Mansfield Town (0 goals in 6 appearances) and Chester City before being allowed to join Stalybridge Celtic, then on to Frickley in September 2001, Belper two years later, and Osset Town in August 2004. By March 2008 Andy was again playing for Aberystwyth.
  Football League career totals 1 goals in 24 appearances.


Jamie Hughes
Pos:
Forward
Born
5 April 1977

Liverpool
WP
Connahs Quay
EFL
Cardiff City
   Jamie Hughes left Tranmere Rovers under a cloud and drifted into part time football with Connahs Quay.  Under manager Neville Powell he rebuilt his career, gaining a deserved reputation as a prolific goalscorer.
  At the end of the 1998/99 season he moved to
Cardiff City and was a member of their first team squad at the start of the 1999/2000 season.
   After a handful of first team appearances - including three in the Football League - Jamie signed for Cwmbran Town in January 2000, played briefly for Bangor City and Connahs Quay and then Northwich in November 2004, before returning to play for Airbus UK and The Nomads once more. 
  Jamie scored 51 goals in just over 100 WP appearances.

  Football League career totals 1 goals in 2 appearances.


Tommy Mutton
Pos:
Forward
Born
17 January 1978

Huddersfield
WP
Bangor City
EFL
Swansea City
   Pacey striker Tommy Mutton was a Burnley apprentice who drifted from Rhyl to Denbigh when released by  The Turfmoor club.  He attracted the attention of Bangor City immediately upon the appointment of Lee Williams.  His remarkable pace and competent finishing in bo the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons pulled in League scouts, in particular Glan Letheran, and Swansea City paid around £25000 for his signature in September 1999. 
   He immediately made his League and Worthington Cup debut, the latter at Derby County but was released after only seven league appearances for The Swans in February 2001.  Back in the WP Tommy has played for Connahs Quay and Rhyl but in June 2006 moved on once more to Hednesford Town before rejoining The Nomads for the 2006-07 season and briefly returning to Farrar Road at the start of the 2007-8 season.

   Football League career totals 0 goals in 7 appearances.


Dave O'Gorman
Pos:
Forward
Born
20 June 1972

Chester
WP
Barry Town
EFL
Swansea City

  
Dave O'Gorman joined Wrexham from school and made 17 League appearances before  drifting into English non league with the likes of Northwich Victoria and Hyde United.
   Dave caught the eye with goalscoring performances for Connahs Quay in the LoW before joining Barry Town in June 1995.
   He moved to Swansea City in August 1997 along with Tony Bird in a deal worth £60,000, scoring five goals in 41 appearances, then moved to South African side Hellenic.
   Dave later played for Rhyl and Oswestry Town whilst lviing and working in Chester.
  Football League career totals 5 goals in 56 appearances.


Paul Roberts
Pos:
Forward
Born
27 July 1977

Bangor
WP
Porthmadog
EFL
Wrexham
   Bangor born Paul Roberts came to prominence with Porthmadog as something of a teenage progidy, scoring goals at will.  A £15000 move to Wrexham followed but despite first team experience he never established a first team place at The Racecourse. 
   He moved to Bangor City on his release, after achieving International recognition at Under 21 Level for Wales.  Since when Roberts established himself as one of the best strikers in the WP and represented Wales in the (semi pro) Four Nations tournament.
   Moved on to play for Porthmadog, Welshpool and Newtown and more recently Penrhyndeudraeth.
  

   Football League career totals 0 goals in 1 appearances.


Eifion Williams
Pos:
Forward
Born
15 November 1975

Bangor
WP
Barry Town
EFL
Torquay United

 
Bangor born Eifion Williams was a Wolves apprentice who returned to his Anglesey home and LoW football with Caernarfon Town.  After his prolific goalscoring drew attention he shattered the league transfer record with a £25 000 move to Barry Town.   
  After more goals and immense success, Eifion moved to Torquay United for £70 000, at this time a record for a LoW player.  He scored 24 goals in 107 appearances for United.
  Joined
Hartlepool in March 2002 and has more than 175 League appearances - and 50 goals - to his name prior before a June 2007 move to Wrexham saw Eifion add one goal in seven games by March 2008.
  A Wales Under 21 International.
  
Football League career totals 75 goals in 328 appearances.


Marc Lloyd Williams
Pos:
Forward
Born
8 February 1973

Bangor
WP
Bangor City
EFL
York City
  Bangor born Marc Lloyd Williams was the provider of many of Dave Taylor's goals as he won the Golden Boot with Porthmadog in 1993. 
  This attracted the attention of Bangor City for whom he became a prolific scorer and won himself a move to Stockport County.  After one goal in 18 appearances for County he made his way back to Farrar Road, did it all again, and moved on to Halifax (6 in 24 apps) and the York City (9 goals in 33 games) towards the end of the 1998/99 season.
  After further spells with Bangor and Aberystwyth he then spent two seasons with TNS where he won WP Championship medals in 2005 and 2006. 
  Better known as Jiws and heralded as a "legend" amongst Bangor City supporters.

    Football League career totals 16 goals in 75 appearances.




Neil Roberts
Pos:
Forward
Born
7 April 1978

Wrexham
WP
Bangor City
EFL
Wrexham


   Wrexham born striker Neil Roberts endured a brief loan spell at Farrar Road during the 1996-97 season, and scarcely cut a happy figure as he clearly feared for his future with the Racecourse club.
    However he put this to one side once he crossed the white line and one goal in his two Welsh Premier appearances for the club.  Once back with Wrexham he managed to gain a first team place and score 17 goals in 58 League appearances for The Robins.In February 2000 Neil was transferred to Wigan for £450 000 and scored 19 goals in 64 starts for Athletic before moving to Hull City and then Bradford on loan scoring once in a  three appearances for both.  In October 2004 he moved to Doncaster (8 in 48 starts) before returning to his home town side in July 2006.  After being released by Wrexham when they were relegated to the Coneference Neil played for Rhyl in the WP before joining the coaching set up at Manchester City.

   Neil also won three International Caps for Wales.
   Football League career totals 56 goals in 325 appearances.


Adebayo Akinfenwa
Pos:
Forward
Born
10 May 1982

London
WP
Barry Town
EFL
Boston United
  Adebayo Akinfenwa was the outstanding player in the Barry Town side in an era dominated by events off the field.  However the pacey Londoner was a difficult opponent for Welsh Premiership sides and always seemed destined for a tilt at the English system.
  Since joining Boston United in October 2003 he has enjoyed brief spell at Leyton Orient, Rushden, Doncaster Rovers and then Torquay, before a controversial move to Swansea City in Juy 2005 which resulted in £100 000 compensation being awarded.  In November he moved to Millwall and after one start was allowed to join Northampton where, by March 2008, he had added 37 more goals in 78 starts before moving to Gillingham in July 2010 where he added eleven goals in 44 starts and finally to Northampton for 2011-13 and 34 goals from 80outings. He returned to Gillingham in July 2013 and by January 2014 had netted seven goals in nineteen league outings.
   Football League career totals 121 goals in 349 appearances.




Leighton McGivern
Pos:
Forward
Born
2 June 1984

Liverpool
WP
Aberystwyth Town
EFL
Rochdale


  A former Everton trainee Leighton joined Aberystwyth during the 2002-03 season and scored three goals in ten appearances for the Park Avenue club.
  He then played for Kidsgrove, Waterloo Dock and Vauxhall Motors before joining Rochdale in July 2004. But he managed only one goal in twenty three starts for Dale and was released to return to Vauxhalls but bounced back into League football with newly promoted Accrington Stanley, netting twice from nineteen starts.
  A broken leg ended his progress at Accrington and Leighton was released, only to find himself charged by The FA over failing to provide information regarding illegal betting by his teammates into a Stanley fixture.
  Leighton returned to Waterloo Dock and Sunday side Oyster Martyrs for whom he scored the winning goal in the FA Sunday Cup in 2011.
 
Football League career totals 3 goals in 44 appearances.




John Paul Durnin
Pos:
Forward
Born
18 August 1965

Liverpool
WP
Rhyl
EFL
Port Vale


  John Paul Durnin had played for Waterloo Dock as a youngster before attracting a move to Liverpool. He failed to break into the first team at Anfield and after half a dozen loan appearances for West Brom joining Oxford United in 1989, scoring 44 goals in 161 matches over four seasons.
  In 1993 he moved south to Portsmouth and scored 31 goals in 179 appearances before making five starts for Blackpool during a brief  loan spell. He then spent a season each at Carlisle and then Kidderminster before signing for Rhyl in 2001. At Belle Vue he scored four goals from ten starts.
  Durnin was to return to League football in 2001 and made 47 starts for Port Vale, scoring twice. He alsc scored four goals in fifteen appearances for Accrngton Stanley whom he joined in August 2003. After a spell in non league he retired in 2004 and can still be seen playing for Liverpool Masters X1.
  Football League career totals 96 goals in 465 appearances.


Lee Trundle
Pos:
Forward
Born
10 October 1976

Liverpool
WP
Rhyl
EFL
Wrexham
  In February 2001 Lee Trundle finally made it into league football in February 2001 when he joined Wrexham from Rhyl.  But his earlier career had taken in a number of clubs including Stalybridge and Southport to little effect.  In just eighteen WP matches for Rhyl he netted fifteen goals including some spectacular strikes. At The Racecourse club Lee netted 27 times from 94 games.
  Liverpool born Trundle became a popular figure with Wrexham fans with his trickery and powerful shooting but left The Racecourse for Swansea City during the summer of 2003. 
  After 78 goals from 135 starts he moved to Bristol City in August 2007 and by March 2008 had added 3 goals in 18 starts. He went on to play for Leeds United (1 in 10) and Swansea City (5 in 20) before a surprise move back to WP circles with Neath FC was announced during the summer of 2010.
 
Football League career totals 82 goals in 162 appearances.


Mark Williams
Pos:
Forward
Born
10 December 1973

Bangor
WP
Newtown
EFL
Shrewsbury
  Powerful striker born in Bangor but who hails from Holyhead, Mark began his career as a Shrewsbury Town apprentice who signed for Bangor in 1993 but found his feet with Newtown under the watchful eye of Jake King and Brian Coyne. After several successful seasons with The Robins the burly striker followed King to Shrewsbury Town and then onto Telford United before his return to Latham Park for the 2000-01 season.  Mark made four League appearances for the Gay Meadow club.
  After a couple of profitable seasons with Newtown he moved to Porthmadog where three seasons followed before a move closer to his Shrewsbury home with Caersws for the 2005-06 season. 
  In total Mark made over 300 WP appearances and scored 87 goals.
    Football League career totals 0 goals in 8 appearances.


Gary Roberts
Pos:
Forward
Born
Liverpool

18 March 1984
WP
Welshpool Town
EFL
Accrington Stanley

  
Left winger Gary Roberts came into Welsh football with Denbigh Town and first played WP football with Bangor City.  He drifted to Rhyl and then onto Welshpool Town where his displays caught the eye of Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman who signed him for the Conference club.
    Roberts' ball control and eye for a goal made him a firm favourite with Stanley supporters who saw him score 18 goals in his first 56 appearances for the club. He also caught the eye of football league clubs but was able to join them without moving as Stanley won the Conference and a return to the coveted position they lost many years earlier. During his first season in league football Gary was transferred to Ipswich Town.where he scored twice in 40 league starts and made four starts without scoring during a brief loan period at Crewe.
    In July 2008 he switched to Huddersfield and by June 2012 had notched 31 goals from 164 starts. From there Gary moved to Swindon in June 2012 and scored four goals in 39 games before joining Chesterfield in June 2013 where, by January 2014, he had added seven goals in 21 appearances.
   
Football League career totals 69 goals in 350 appearances. (CORRECT JAN 2014)




Tom Bradshaw
Pos:
Forward
Born
Shrewsbury

27 July 1992
WP
Aberystwyth Town
EFL
Shrewsbury Town


 
 
A small, pacey forward Tom Bradshaw caught the eye as a youthful member of the Aberystwyth Town squad during the 2008-09 season.
  After less than a dozen Welsh Premier appearances for Aberystwyth he signed for his home town side Shrewsbury Town and made his League debut for The Shrews against Crewe Alexandra on 19th April 2010 scoring twice at Gresty Road.
  He had also been capped by Wales at Under 19 & 21 age groups.

   Football League career totals 15 goals in 85 appearances.





Kaid Mohammed
Pos:
Forward
Born
Cardiff

23 July 1984
WP
Cwmbran Town
EFL
Swindon Town


  Cardiff born Kaid Mohammed made around a hundred WP appearances for Cwmbran, Llanelli and Carmarthen from 2003 to 2007 before attracting a move to Swindon Town. In the season 2007-08 Kaid made 11 appearances for Swindon alongside 10 during a loan spell at Torquay United.
  He then moved through Forest Green, Newport and Bath to AFC Wimbledon (all non league) before signing for Cheltenham in 2011 and scoring fifteen goals in 84 appearances.
  A six match goalless spell with Port Vale saw Kaid join AFC Wimbledon in July 2013 but again he failed to score in five games before joining Bristol Rovers on loan in January 2014.

   Football League career totals 18 goals in 119 appearances.





Jamie Reed
Pos:
Forward
Born
Chester

13 August 1987
WP
Bangor City
EFL
York City



 
Jamie began his career with Wrexham where he made several substitute appearances for The Robins (or dragons) before teaming up with Glentoran and Tamworth on loan spells.
  Within Welsh football circles Jamie scored 22 goals from 41 starts (in total) for Aberystwyth and Rhyl as well as a brief time with Colwyn Bay.

  But it was a spell of 41 goals from 51 starts for Bangor - which propelled City to the WP title - that brought Reed to the fore and earned him a reported £25k move to York City.
  After a successful spell with The Minstermen in the Conference Jamie made his full league debut at Bradford on October 2012 after two appearances off the bench. Jamie also spent a loan spell at Cambridge in the Conference and in July 2013 was transferred to his home town club Chester.

   Football League career totals 1 goals in 17 appearances.




Rhys Griffiths
Pos:
Forward
Born
Cardiff

1 March 1980
WP
Llanelli
EFL
Plymouth Argyle


  A tall strong centre forward Rhys played in the Welsh Premier for a decade before earning a move into League football.
  He started off with Cwbran Town and went on to play for Haverfordwest, Port Talbot Carmarthen and Llanelli amassing 294 starts (plus 26 sub) and scoring 237 goals. This goal record was largely due to a six year spell with Llanelli where finished as top scorer in the league year on year betting 40 in 31 games in 2007-08.
  After it seemed his job as a fireman had tempted him to stay in part time football a surprise offer from Plymouth Argyle took Grififths to the English League in August 2012 and made a goalscoring debut for The Pilgrims on 1st September 2012.
  But it didnt work out for Rhys who went to Newport County and then Port Talbot.
  Football League career totals 3 goals in 14 appearances. (CORRECT JANUARY 2014)