Holywell Town FC History & Honours |
Holywell Town has been represented in local football throughout this century. The 1920/21 season saw Holywell finish runners-up in the league to Holyhead and were Division 1 leading goalscorers with 92 goals. They also reached the final of the Amateur Cup but lost 1-3 to Holyhead at Bangor. The next season saw Holywell again reach the final but this time they beat Holyhead 1-0 at Llandudno to lift the cup. The 1930/31 season saw Holywell win the welsh league, this feat was repeated in the 1932-33 season when they finished 9 points ahead of the runner’s up. Social and football history combine to establishing the club as it is known today. In 1946 soldiers returning home from World War Two established the club at Halkyn Road where it has remained ever since. Success came immediately in 1947 both The Alves Cup and The Waterfall Cup were won. Holywell won the Welsh League (North) in 1953, nine years later in 1962 a record attendance of 3000 packed Halkyn Road for a Welsh Cup 6th round tie with Swansea City, the Swans winning 2-1. Holywell were founder members of the Manweb Cymru Alliance in 1990-91 and then founder members of the LoW in 1992/93. The 1992-92 season was a particularly good one for Holywell winning the Clwyd League Youth Cup, the Auxiliary Youth Cup whilst also being runners up in the Alves Cup. The club won respect in North Wales and further afield under the shrewd management of Glyn Griffiths, but once his reign ended inconsistency crept in. League placings of 6th and 5th in 1993 and 1994 respectively prove the point. Since this time the club have been relegated, promoted and sadly relegated again, most recently in 1999. During those early seasons player such as Pat Moran, Chris Milroy, Ian Howat and Richard Grundy were highly regarded in LoW circles. At the conclusion of the 2001-02 season, The Wellmen narrowly avoided relegation and decided to part company with their Manchester based manager and squad in favour of a more local set up. After finishing a creditable 9th in the Cymru Alliance League in 2004/05, Holywell were relegated the following season into the Welsh Alliance League and with a local set up of players, Holywell aimed to win promotion back into the Cymru Alliance. Holywell Town won the FAW Trophy in the 2010/11 Season and have narrowly missed out on promotion for the past few of seasons, finishing behind Holyhead Hotspur, Caernarfon Town and Denbigh Town. The 2013/14 season also saw Holywell Town enter the record books as the only 3rd tier club to reach the semi-final of the Welsh Cup, where we finally bowed out of the competition to Aberystwyth Town in the live televised game on S4C. The cup run brought messages of support from all over the world and Holywell Town’s name was firmly established on the footballing map. 2014/15 season will go down as being one of the best seasons the Wellmen have had, as we won the treble and in the process, won promotion back into the Cymru Alliance. The Wellmen picked up the Welsh Alliance League Championship, finishing 15 points clear of the runners up, and won the FAW Trophy for the second time in recent years. The Wellmen were also runners up in the Cookson Cup but rounded off the season in style by winning the Mawddach Challenge Cup to complete the historic treble. |
|
|
|
Competition |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cymru Alliance League |
9th |
26 |
6 |
6 |
14 |
29 |
40 |
24 |
|
|
Cymru Alliance League | 11th |
30 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
48 |
49 |
31 |
|
|
League of Wales |
6th |
38 |
17 |
8 |
13 |
65 |
48 |
59 |
|
|
League of Wales | 5th |
38 |
18 |
10 |
10 |
74 |
57 |
64 |
|
|
League of Wales | 8th |
38 |
16 |
10 |
12 |
62 |
55 |
58 |
|
|
League of Wales | 16th |
40 |
12 |
7 |
21 |
53 |
74 |
43 |
|
|
League of Wales | 20th |
40 |
7 |
8 |
25 |
52 |
81 |
29 |
|
|
Cymru Alliance League | 2nd |
36 |
24 |
5 |
7 |
72 |
29 |
77 |
|
|
League of Wales | 17th |
32 |
3 |
9 |
20 |
38 |
86 |
23 |
|
|
Cymru Alliance League | 16th |
32 |
7 |
4 |
21 |
41 |
69 |
25 |
|
|
Cymru Alliance League | 10th |
32 |
11 |
6 |
15 |
47 |
69 |
39 |
|
|
Cymru Alliance League | 16th |
34 |
8 |
5 |
21 |
50 |
85 |
29 |
|
|
Cymru Alliance League | 17th |
32 |
4 |
5 |
23 |
33 |
96 |
8 |
|
|
Cymru Alliance League | 14th |
32 |
8 |
8 |
16 |
38 |
61 |
32 |
15 |
2004-05 |
Cymru Alliance League | 9th |
34 |
13 |
7 |
14 |
77 |
64 |
46 |
16 |
2005-06 |
Cymru Alliance League | 17th |
32 |
5 |
12 |
7 |
49 |
72 |
24 |
17 |
2006-07 |
Welsh Alliance League | 10th |
28 |
8 |
8 |
12 |
59 |
63 |
32 |
18 |
2007-08 |
Welsh Alliance League | 12th |
28 |
8 |
6 |
14 |
44 |
70 |
27 |
19 |
2008-09 |
Welsh Alliance League | 13th |
21 |
7 |
2 |
12 |
49 |
53 |
23 |
20 |
2009-10 |
Welsh Alliance League |
10th |
30 |
13 |
7 |
10 |
72 |
43 |
46 |
21 |
2010-11 |
Welsh Alliance League |
3rd |
30 |
17 |
3 |
10 |
68 |
40 |
54 |
22 |
2011-12 |
Welsh Alliance League |
2nd |
30 |
23 |
3 |
4 |
77 |
29 |
72 |
23 |
2012-13 |
Welsh Alliance League |
3rd |
28 |
18 |
7 |
3 |
98 |
38 |
61 |
24 |
2013-14 |
Welsh Alliance League |
2nd |
28 |
20 |
5 |
3 |
103 |
23 |
65 |
25 |
2014-15 |
Welsh Alliance League |
1st |
26 |
23 |
2 |
1 |
119 |
19 |
71 |
26 |
2015-16 |
Huws Gray Cymru Alliance |
5th |
30 |
15 |
7 |
8 |
55 |
34 |
52 |
27 |
2016-17 |
Huws Gray Cymru Alliance | 5th |
30 |
14 |
8 |
8 |
52 |
45 |
50 |
28 |
2017-18 |
Huws Gray Cymru Alliance | th |
28 |
|
John returned to the Holywell hot seat in === after the departure of Gareth Sudlow who had in turn replaced him during the summer! He first took over as manager in 2012 and in 201-15 took the Wellmen back to the CA with the Welsh Alliance championship alongside the FAW Trophy and Mawddach Cup. As a player John was a no nonesense centrehalf with Greenfield, Flint and Rhydymwyn. |
UPDATED NOVEMBER 2018 |
Holywell Town Player Pen Pictures 2018-19 |
|||||
GOALKEEPER | |||||
Mike Platt |
A former favourite Mike returned to Halkyn Road from Gresford in November 2018. A towering goalkeeper who joined Caernarfon from Welsh National League side Llay Welfare in December 2009. Better known as "Plank" he has also played for Penycae and Gresford Athletic, both in goal and in central defence.
|
||||
Antoni Sarnowski |
A
promising young Polish born goalkeeper, Antoni joined Bangor City
during
the summer of 2015 from The New Saints academy. He moved to Conwy
during the summer of 2018 and on to Holywell a month or so later. Antoni lives in the Wrexham area.
|
||||
DEFENCE | |||||
Matt Kendrick |
A central defender who joined the club towards the end of the 2016-17 campaign.
|
||||
Jon Jones |
A former Chester City youth, Jon joined Holywell from Winsford United in October 2015. Jon previously moved to Caerws from Mid Wales rivals Welshpool Town and made more than 50 Welsh Premier appearances for The Bluebirds, mainly at rightback. Has also played for Guilsfield.
|
||||
Matty Hughes |
An experienced left footed defender or midfielder previously with Bethesda Athletic, Anglesey side
Beaumaris Town and Buckley Town. Matthy joined Holywell from Conwy Borough during the Autumn of 2018. he represented Anglesey in the 2009 Island Games.
|
||||
Lee Emberton |
A promising young defender Lee joined Holywell during the summer of 2015 from Airbus. Bangor born Lee gained Welsh Premier experience with The Planemakers.
|
||||
Matty Harvey |
A strong left footed defender who has previously played for North East Wales sides Flint Town United and Rhydymwyn.
|
||||
Josh Maldon |
A former Airbus UK academy defender or midfielder, Josh initially joined Holywell on loan from The Planemakers.
|
||||
MIDFIELD | |||||
Danny Desormeaux |
A Chester based midfielder Dan has previously played for Christleton, Cefn Druids and Newtown in the Welsh Premier. Dan is the brother of former Airbus striker Joe Desormeaux
|
||||
Zebb Edwards |
A
member of the footballing family whose father played for Prestatyn Town
and whose older brother Kai Edwards plays for Wrexham. Zebb is a highly promising defender or midfielder.
|
||||
Graeme Williams |
A consistent goalscorer Graeme joined Holywell from local junior side Greenfield.
|
||||
Paul D Williams |
Midfielder Paul retuned to Halkyn Road after a spell with local junior side Greenfield.
|
||||
Mark Winslade |
A goalscoring striker Mark can play upfront or wide right. Liverpool based Mark has previously played for Vauxhall Motors and Nantwich Town as well as Welsh pyramid sides Flint Town and Cefn Druids. Joined Holywell from The Ancients in January 2017.
|
||||
FORWARDS | |||||
Shaun Tuck |
A consistent goalscorer Shaun signed for Holywell in October 2016. His previous clubs include Skelmersdale, Warrington, Witton Albion, Vauxhall Mortors and Colwyn Bay.
|
||||
Connor Littler |
A hard working centre forward Connor joined Holywell from Welsh Premier side Airbus UK during the summer of 2015.
|
||||
Steve Lewis |
A
well travelled Liverpudlian striker Steve has previously played for
Bala Town, Rhyl and Bangor City in the Welsh system, as well as Cammell
Laird, Marine and Droylsden in England. He has an impressive goalscoring record wherever he goes.
|
||||
Sam Jones |
A consistent goalscorer for Holywell before joining Bangor City in June 2015 for what turned out to be an injury hit stay. Returned to Halkyn Road after a spell out of the game.
|
||||
Holywell Town Player Pen Pictures 2017-18 |
|||||
GOALKEEPER | |||||
Shaun Pearson |
An experienced goalkeeper Shaun joined Holywell during the summer of 2017. He began his career with Llangefni before joining Barrow where he made 27nappearances for the National League club before moving to Colwyn Bay after a spell in Australia. More recently he played for Airbus UK. He is the brother of centreback Mike Pearson.
|
||||
Paul Turner |
Goalkeeper Paul returned to Halkyn Road in October 2015 after a few months with FC Nomads.
|
||||
DEFENCE | |||||
Matt Kendrick |
A central defender who joined the club towards the end of the 2016-17 campaign.
|
||||
Jon Jones |
A former Chester City youth, Jon joined Holywell from Winsford United in October 2015. Jon previously moved to Caerws from Mid Wales rivals Welshpool Town and made more than 50 Welsh Premier appearances for The Bluebirds, mainly at rightback. Has also played for Guilsfield.
|
||||
Gareth Sudlow |
A tall central defender Gareth joined Holywell during the summer of 2016. His previous clubs include Conwy Borough, Airbus UK, Colwyn Bay, Buckley Town and Wrexham FC where he was a member of the youth and reserve sides.
|
||||
Matty Harvey |
A strong left footed defender who has previously played for North East Wales sides Flint Town United and Rhydymwyn.
|
||||
MIDFIELD | |||||
Brady McGilloway |
A hugely promising young midfielder Brady joined Holywell after he was released by Premiership side Stoke City. Brady was also associated with Wrexham and Chester as a schoolboy.
|
||||
Danny Desormeaux |
A Chester based midfielder Dan has previously played for Christleton, Cefn Druids and Newtown in the Welsh Premier. Dan is the brother of former Airbus striker Joe Desormeaux
|
||||
Phil Loyd |
A utility man who primarily plays as a striker but can also fill in at fullback should need arise. Phil joined Holywell from local rivals Flint Town whom he joined as a schoolboy.
|
||||
Graeme Williams |
A consistent goalscorer Graeme joined Holywell from local junior side Greenfield.
|
||||
Paul D Williams |
Midfielder Paul retuned to Halkyn Road after a spell with local junior side Greenfield.
|
||||
Mark Winslade |
A goalscoring striker Mark can play upfront or wide right. Liverpool based Mark has previously played for Vauxhall Motors and Nantwich Town as well as Welsh pyramid sides Flint Town and Cefn Druids. Joined Holywell from The Ancients in January 2017.
|
||||
FORWARDS | |||||
Steve Thomas |
A pacey left footed midfielder or attacker Steve has also played for Flint Town and Caerwys.
|
||||
Jamie McDaid |
A goalscoring striker Jamie joined Holywell during the 2016-17 season. An all action forward he had previously played for Bangor, Caernarfon, Porthmadog and Holyhead Hotspur. He has represented the Wales U18 Semi Professional side in Wexford, Ireland in February 2012 and scored a hatrick for Wales Colleges against England.
|
||||
Steve Lewis |
A
well travelled Liverpudlian striker Steve has previously played for
Bala Town, Rhyl and Bangor City in the Welsh system, as well as Cammell
Laird, Marine and Droylsden in England. He has an impressive goalscoring record wherever he goes.
|
||||
Shaun Tuck |
A consistent goalscorer Shaun signed for Holywell in October 2016. His previous clubs include Skelmersdale, Warrington, Witton Albion, Vauxhall Mortors and Colwyn Bay.
|
||||
Sam Jones |
A consistent goalscorer for Holywell before joining Bangor City in June 2015 for what turned out to be an injury hit stay. Returned to Halkyn Road after a spell out of the game.
|
||||
16/17 |
|||||
Holywell Town Player Pen Pictures 2016-17 |
|||||
GOALKEEPER | |||||
Keighan Jones |
A
lanky young goalkeeper Keighan is a product of the Airbus UK academy
who gained Welsh Premier experience with The Planemakers. He joined
Holywell from Caernarfon in autumn 2016. The Chester born glovesman was previously on the books of his home town team.
|
||||
John Rushton |
An acrobatic young goalkeeper John starts the 2016-17 season as first choice. His previous clubs include Bromborough based Manor Athletic of the West Cheshire League Third Divison.
|
||||
DEFENCE | |||||
Ross Ankers |
A
promising young defender who joined Cefn Druids in July 2013 following
his release by Wrexham FC where he was a member of the youth and
reserve set up. Moved to Holywell during the summer of 2016.
|
||||
Lee Emberton |
A promising young defender Lee joined Holywell during the summer of 2015 from Airbus. Bangor born Lee gained Welsh Premier experience with The Planemakers.
|
||||
Jon Jones |
A former Chester City youth, Jon joined Holywell from Winsford United in October 2015. Jon previously moved to Caerws from Mid Wales rivals Welshpool Town and made more than 50 Welsh Premier appearances for The Bluebirds, mainly at rightback. Has also played for Guilsfield.
|
||||
Dafydd Griffiths |
A tall powerful centreback Dafydd signed for Holywell after a lengthy association with Rhydymwyn.
|
||||
Gareth Sudlow |
A tall central defender Gareth joined Holywell during the summer of 2016. His previous clubs include Conwy Borough, Airbus UK, Colwyn Bay, Buckley Town and Wrexham FC where he was a member of the youth and reserve sides.
|
||||
Matty Harvey |
A young defender who has previously played for Flint Town and Rhydymwyn.
|
||||
Ross Ankers |
A
promising young defender who joined The Druids in July 2013 following
his release by Wrexham FC where he was a member of the youth and
reserve set up.
|
||||
MIDFIELD | |||||
James Graham |
A defender or midfielder James joined The Wellmen during the summer of 2016. A hugely promising youngster James signed for Everton as a seven year old and stayed with the Goodison club to sign his first professional contract in 2015. He was released a year later having spent a loan period with North Wales rivals Colwyn Bay.
|
||||
Tony Roebuck |
A promising attack minded young midfielder Tony has an eye for goal.
|
||||
Paul W Williams |
Local lad Paul joined Holywell after a long association with local rivals Flint Town United. A former Wales Schools International who was on both Chester City and Wrexham's books as a youth, Paul joined Flint from Warrington Town
|
||||
Matty Hurdman |
A Bangor born midfielder Matty joined Holywell in October 2016. His career began on the Wrexham FC academy but after loan spells with Colwyn Bay and Prestatyn Town Matty was allowed to join Bangor, close to his Llanfairfechain home. Returned to The Rock in July 2013 after a year in Australia and then again during the summer of 2015 after a spell with Caernarfon Town.
|
||||
Paul D Williams |
Midfielder Paul retuned to Halkyn Road after a spell with local junior side Greenfield.
|
||||
FORWARDS | |||||
Steve Thomas |
A pacey left footed attacker Steve has also played for Flint Town and Caerwys.
|
||||
Connor Littler |
A hard working centre forward Connor joined Holywell from Welsh Premier side Airbus UK during the summer of 2015.
|
||||
Lee Healey |
A goalscoring forward Lee joined Mold from Flint in November 2015. Lee joined Cefn Druids during the summer from Connahs Quay and has scored nine goals from ten WP starts (plus five as sub) to be the leading goalscorer at The Rock. Lee has also played for Bangor City. His previous clubs include Ashville, Congleton and Droylsden.
|
||||
Shaun Tuck |
A consistent goalscorer Shaun signed for Holywell in October 2016. His previous clubs include Skelmersdale, Warrington, Witton Albion, Vauxhall Mortors and Colwyn Bay.
|
||||
Sam Jones |
A promising young midfielder or striker Sam joined Holywell from Denbigh Town during the summer of 2016. He hit the headlines in North Wales with his winning goal for Denbigh in the Word Cup Semi Final in 2016.
|
||||
15/19 |
|||||
Holywell Town Player Pen Pictures 2015-16 |
|||||
GOALKEEPER | |||||
Mike Platt |
A towering goalkeeper who joined Holywell during the summer of 2014
from Newtown. Better known as "Plank" he has also played for Gresford
Athletic, both in goal and in central defence. Has also played for Llay Welfare, Penycae and Caernarfon Town.
|
||||
Paul Turner |
Goalkeeper Paul returned to Halkyn Road in October 2015 after a few months with FC Nomads.
|
||||
DEFENCE | |||||
Brett Cotton |
A promising young defender Brett joined Holywell during the summer of 2015. His previous clubs include Airbus.
|
||||
Peter Hoy |
Versatile defender Peter Hoy first signed for Bangor under the reign of Peter Davenport from
West Cheshire League football in 2003. Peter was converted from
fullback to centreback during the 2003-04 season to great effect and
can also operate in midfield. He has since enjoyed a season long spell with local rivals Rhyl before rejoining City in November 2007 shortly after the departure of Clayton Blackmore. As the 2011-12 season kicks off Peter has made 174 Welsh Premier starts for Bangor a total exceeded only by Paul Roberts and Marc Lloyd Williams. He has won three Welsh Cup Winners medals and was a prominent member of the 2011 Welsh Premier Championship winning side. Peter holds the club record number of European appearances with twelve and, uniquely, has appeared in The Inter Toto Cup, The UEFA Cup, The Europa and Champions League for the club. Peter joined Aberystwyth during the summer of 2013 and Cefn a year later. Joined Flint during the summer of 2015.
|
||||
Lee Emberton |
A promising young defender Lee joined Holywell during the summer of 2015 from Airbus. Bangor born Lee gained Welsh Premier experience with The Planemakers.
|
||||
Jon Jones |
A former Chester City youth, Jon joined Holywell from Winsford United in October 2015. Jon previously moved to Caerws from Mid Wales rivals Welshpool Town and made more than 50 Welsh Premier appearances for The Bluebirds, mainly at rightback. Has also played for Guilsfield.
|
||||
Dafydd Griffiths |
A tall powerful centreback Dafydd signed for Holywell after a lengthy association with Rhydymwyn.
|
||||
Ryan Davies |
Centrhalf Ryan joined Holywell from Flint Town United during the 2014-15 season.
|
||||
Matty Harvey |
A young defender who has previously played for Flint Town and Rhydymwyn.
|
||||
Ross Ankers |
A
promising young defender who joined The Druids in July 2013 following
his release by Wrexham FC where he was a member of the youth and
reserve set up.
|
||||
MIDFIELD | |||||
Tom McElmeel |
Midfielder Tom has previous experience with Cefn Druids, Rhydymwyn and Hawarden Rangers.
|
||||
Tony Roebuck |
A promising attack minded young midfielder Tony has an eye for goal.
|
||||
Paul W Williams |
Local lad Paul joined Holywell after a long association with local rivals Flint Town United. A former Wales Schools International who was on both Chester City and Wrexham's books as a youth, Paul joined Flint from Warrington Town
|
||||
John Leonard |
A
midfielder John began his career as on youth team forms with Chester
City before playing for Colwyn Bay. Mynydd Isa and Buckley Town.
|
||||
Paul D Williams |
Midfielder Paul retuned to Halkyn Road after a spell with local junior side Greenfield.
|
||||
FORWARDS | |||||
Steve Thomas |
A pacey left footed attacker Steve has also played for Flint Town and Caerwys.
|
||||
Connor Littler |
A hard working centre forward Connor joined Holywell from Welsh Premier side Airbus during the summer of 2015.
|
||||
Steve Lewis |
Liverpool born former Colwyn Bay striker Steve joined Holywell from Llandudno during the summer of 2015 Other previous clubs include Rhyl, Marine and Bala Town where he made a couple of Welsh Premier appearances in January 2011.
|
||||
Graeme Williams |
A consistent goalscorer Graeme joined Holywell from local junior side Greenfield.
|
||||