Ardal Northern League Cup Final Programme

LEAGUE OFFICIALS

Chairperson & FAW Vice President

Will Lloyd Williams

General & Fixture Secretary

Chas Rowland

Match Officials Officer

Simon Newport

Treasurer

Ken Richardson

Media Officer Chris Parry

Club Representative North East

Wyn Lewis

Club Representative North West

Stuart Lawrence

CLUB HISTORY

Denbigh Town Football Club was formedin 1880and hasremained one of themostpopularandhighlyrespectedClubsinNorth Wales ever since. One of the Club’s finest achievementscame in 1924when theywonboththeWelshAmateurCupandtheNorth Wales Coast Amateur Cup.

A number of minor successes ensued inthe subsequent decades until the Club hit apurplepatchinthe1970swhentheywonthe Welsh National League (Wrexham Area)DivisionOne Championship fourtimes andtheLeagueCuponfiveoccasions.Townalso landed the North Wales Amateur Cup in1970andtheNorth Wales Amateur Cup in 1972.Themanagerthroughmostof this golden period was John Trevor Roberts who remains oneof Denbigh Town’s mostlegendaryfigures. After the Club left the Wrexham Area League at the turn of the1980s andjoinedthe ClwydLeaguemanytrophylessyears followed. The sleeping giant did not awaken until the 1991/1992season when LiverpudlianduoBillDawsonandRookCookHannah took over the reins at the Club.

In their first season the Club won promotionto the Premier Division, but the biggesthighlightwasanunforgettable1-0North Wales Challenge Cup Victory over the4th placedHFS Loans League semi-professionalsof CaernarfonTownbeforeanecstatic crowd at Central Park. After two seasonsin the ClwydPremier,the Clubwas promotedtotheFitlockWelshAllianceLeaguein 1994/95. After finishing 4th in their first season Denbigh Town followedup instyleby landingtheLeagueChampionshipand Cookson Cup double, the Club’s finest achievement for almost 20 years. The Club joinedthe CymruAlliancein1996/97and enjoyed several good seasons at that level.

Denbigh joined the Welsh Alliance Leagie for2002/2003 and finished 3rd,reachedthesemi-finaloftheBarrittCupandwonthe Alves Cup with Roy Cook-Hannah at the helm. Cook-Hannahresigned in December2003andClwydWilliams&NickHaileswere installed as joint-managers. The team finished theseason in 12th position. In May 2004 Tim Dyer was appointed managerand in2005/2006 heguided the teamtothe BarrittCupandCooksonCupdouble, runners up in the Welsh Alliance Leagueandalso finalistsin the North WalesCoast FAChallengeCup.TheClubalsowonthe Welsh Alliance Fair Play League for 2005/2006& 2006/2007. In 2007DenbighTown were crownedWelshAllianceLeague Champions and Cookson Cup winners.

After Tim Dyer stepped down at the endofthe2008/2009 season SteveJones wasappointedmanagerwithDeanMartinashis assistant. Under the new regime the team finished 10th in the 2009/2010CymruAlliance League.Unfortunately,duetotheWelsh Premier Super 12, six clubs were relegated fromtheWelsh Premier and the 3 feederleaguesallpromotedaclubtotheCymru Alliance. This meant only the top 7 survivedin the Cymru Alliance andso Denbigh Town wererelegatedtotheWelshAlliance League. Jones and his assistant Martinresigned inMay 2010.John James and AndyLewiswereappointedmanagerandcoachfor the 2010/2011 season.

Despite relegation the Club started ground development with hard standing area placed allaroundtheperimeteroftheground and floodlights were installed in April2012. In2012/2013 ex-player andcaptain RichardWilliams-Cookewasappointedmanager. In his first season Cookie took the club to runners up position intheWelsh Alliance League. ThefollowingseasontheClubwonthe league, remaining unbeaten throughoutthe whole league campaign and also wonthe MawddachCup.TheClubwerepromotedto the Cymru Alliance – the Tier 2 level ofWelsh football.Cookie resigned in June 2014 dueto workandfamilycommitments.Ajoint management team of Dave Taylor and TerryIngramwere appointed in his place, but they partedcompanywithclubafewmonths later. In September 2014 the Club appointed ElfedLloyd and 1stteamCaptain Max Peateas caretakermanagersfortherestof that season.

Gareth Thomas (Perry) was appointedmanager on 21stMay 2015, and he led the Club to3rdpositionintheCymruAlliancein season 2015/2016. In the same seasonPerry also took the Club totheWord CupFinallosing2-0totreblewinnersTheNewSaints (TNS).

However, in November 2016 the Clubparted company with Perry andEddie MauriceJoneswasappointedmanager Maurice-Jones took the Club to its highesteverfinish in theCymruAlliance – that of2nd intheseason2017/2018.However,atthe end of that season Maurice-Jones movedto become manager ofRhyl and many of the playersfollowedhim. New joint managers Dewi Llion Jones &MattyJones had the taskof forming a teamwith newplayerswithonlyafewweeksleft before the start of the season. Despite a valiant effortby themanagers and their newteamtheClubfellintotherelegationzone on the last day of the season 2018/2019 and wererelegated tothe WelshAlliance.

Matty Jones left the joint managership rolein April2019 and Dewi LlionJones was appointedsolemanagerfortheseason 2019/2020. He appointed former TownplayerOwain Roberts as his coach. A strong seasonfollowedbuttheCovid19pandemic meant the season was cut short and Denbigh were appointed runners up in the league to HolyheadHotspurs.

The Welsh Alliance League finished in 2019/2020 and Denbigh Town were placed in thenewLockStockArdalNorthWestLeague for the season 2020/21. That seasonwas cancelled dueto the Covidpandemic. In thefollowingseasontheClubfinishedinthird position behind Mold Alexandra and Porthmadog and will continue inthe LockStockArdal NorthWestLeagueforseason 2022/2023.

CLUB HISTORY

Bow Street Football Club was founded originally in around 1920. The club was out of action for two periods in the 20th century but the club has been fully active since the 1970’s. For years the club played in the Aberystwyth and District League winning every single trophy available on a regular basis, especially in the 1990’s and early 2000’s.

Bow Street is still the only club to have won the highly prestigious Emrys Morgan Cup on three occasions – 1983, 2000 and finally in 2006 when they beat fellow Ceredigion side Crannog in front of a huge crowd at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth.

In 2007, the club finally decided to take the plunge in order to try and compete at a higher level.

Bow Street joined the Spar Mid Wales League for season 07/08, and has enjoyed 14 successful and enjoyable terms at this higher standard of football. The club has invariably finished in the top half of the league, once as high as fourth, and twice in fifth, in what is a highly competitive division.

Bow Street have also reached the League Cup Final on five occasions, lost the first four, but eventually in May 2018 beat Welshpool 4-3 to lift the trophy. Playing at the higher level has meant entry to the Welsh Cup, and the club has fond memories of exciting encounters with Carmarthen Town, and Cardiff Met. The club was accepted in to the new Ardal North East League at its inception in 2021 and finished 5th in its first season,

The club has a junior setup which is the envy of many clubs. It runs a junior tournament every July, which attracts around 120 teams, held over two days, and club has over many seasons been specifically invited by Swansea City to be a part of their Club Support initiative.

Final League Table

WITH THE GAFFERDEWI LLION JONES DENBIGH TOWN

Media Officer, Chris Parry spoke with the manager of the newly crowned Ardal North West League Champions.

You sealed the Ardal North West League title against Rhostyllen last weekend. The 2-0 win took you above Bangor 1876 to the top of the table for the first time this season (an amazing statistic) and what a time to do it. How does it feel to be league champions?

It’s difficult to really explain how I feel! Huge sense of relief, proud, and guilt aswell! I feel guilty that I havent been able to achieve this any sooner! I am so so proud of this group of players, and I cant thank them enough for their hard work and efforts

I feel this club has been mistreated by past managers. I now feel we are in a strong position as a club. Our juniors are thriving, the ladies and their youth setup are getting stronger every year. Off the pitch, plans are in place for us to be able to apply for the tier 1 license, and long term, that is our end goal. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this club

You've had a fantastic season overall and deservedly so. Full credit to you, your staff and players. I'm sure you would have mapped out your targets at the beginning of the season but have your achievements, even exceeded your expectations?

Thank you, but I’m sure the players who sat in front of me in the first pre season session would remember what my aims were for this team, and it was to win everything. The league was obviously priority, and the cups have created memories that will last a lifetime for the Players, Staff, Committee members and the supporters. It’s been a year that the players will never forget, now they are determined to finish on a high.

This will be Denbigh's second cup final of the season following your unbelievable run to the Dragon Signs FAW Trophy Final. Unfortunately, you were beaten by a stubborn Trethomas Bluebirds side in Newtown. Do you feel, the disappointment of losing that final will help your preparations for todays final?

Possibly yes. The lads were distraught watching Trethomas lift the trophy, especially in front of so many Denbigh supporters who had travelled to support us, so you’d like to think they will do everything possible to avoid that feeling again...

The reception the boys recieved when we arrived back in Denbigh was special, our pub The Masons was bouncing, and I dread to think what it would have been like had we have won.

The highlight was seeing my 7 year old son Caio stood on the pool table with my Assistant Manager Kristian Pierce both swinging their Denbigh Town FC shirts over their heads leading the Denbigh Town Chants.

You have three players in the Ardal North West Top 10 Goalscorer chart as well as having the best defensive record in the Ardal North West this season. Would you say the platform to your success this season is built on a solid defence?

Yes I’d agree with that. The lads are sick of me repeating myself, but from the start of the season my moto has been “Goals win games, Clean Sheets win leagues” and credit to the back 4 and Aaron, 14 clean sheets is good going. Its a very young back 5 aswell, and they deserve a lot of credit for this.

The back 5 tend to get the credit for clean sheets but I think something that has gone unoticed is how fit this group of players are. When a team can run as hard as these boys can for 90mins, it makes us a hard team to breakdown, and it’s clear that their hard work outside of training has been absoulutely worth it.

THE VIEW FROM THE STANDSDENBIGH TOWN

Loyal Denbigh Town supporters, Ollie Williams and Jess Blacknell reflect on their season ahead of todays final...

Firstly, how long have you been a supporter of Denbigh Town?

OLLIE: I’ve been following Denbigh since before I can remember, as a child I was brought to Central Park by legendary groundsman Derek Hughes who would have loved this season. After moving away I’ve returned to the area and loved being back at Central Park.

JESS: I first started showing an interest in Denbigh when my partner Kristian Pierce was playing for them a few years ago but I’d say I’ve become a bit more of a die hard fan over the last couple of years and have only missed two games in the last two seasons, not sure if that’s a good thing or if I need a life ha!

What has been your stand out moment of the season so far?

OLLIE: There have been a lot of superb moments this season including wins over Rhyl and Bangor. At the time of writing we have one last league game to play and a point needed to secure promotion. If we manage it, it’ll be seeing the lads hard work pay off as Champions.

JESS: For me, it’s got to be beating Bangor & Rhyl home & away in the league. With being tipped to be one of the favourites for the league alongside them both, I think the results we got against them both was a massive statement.

What has been the most disappointing moment of your season?

OLLIE: The most disappointing moment was without doubt losing in the FAW Amateur Trophy Final. It ended any hopes of a treble and denied our first national title in 99 years. I know everyone is keen not to lose in another final today.

JESS: Personally, the defeat in the FAW Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy Final was the most disappointing. Not to take away from the fact it was such a big achievement to even get a place in the final, but to not come away with the trophy was gutting! A brilliant day out nonetheless with a good following from our supporters.

Which player or players should Bow Street be wary of today?

OLLIE: This is without doubt the best Denbigh side I’ve personally seen, and there’s danger all over the pitch. Matthew Worrall’s goals have been huge since joining in January, Nathan Brown is as tricky as they come. Craig Pritchard has been pivotal. Ben Lockley and Billy Holmes have been rocks at the back. I could go on!

JESS: I think they should be wary of every single one of them, they’ve all got their own strengths and abilities in all areas of the pitch which could cause problems for Bow Street, we are a strong team & play good football!

Who's your favourite player and why?

OLLIE: Nathan Brown’s creativity and goal scoring has been superb this season and always catches the eye. Ben Lockley is also brilliant at the back and going forward so they’ve stood out this year for me as highlights.

JESS: Harry Lockley. The determination he has shown this season to continue playing as long as he could while struggling with his kidney illness and to now finally be back on the pitch where he belongs, I think that shows good character and a lot of strength! He took everything in his stride and I’m so happy he’s back on the mend to finish the season with us.

THE VIEW FROM THE STANDS -

DENBIGH TOWN

Loyal Denbigh Town supporters, Ollie Williams and Jess Blacknell reflect on their season ahead of todays final...

Who's been your player of the season?

OLLIE: There’s likely ten or so players who could be up for the player of the season award. It’s likely one of the two mentioned previously, but I’ll go for Nathan Brown.

JESS: It’s got to be Azzy Jones (GK), going by the number of goals conceded this season and the number of clean sheets. It’s Azzy for me! But all the lads have been outstanding!!

What are your thoughts on your season overall?

OLLIE: It’s been one of the best seasons in the clubs history. Not just for what’s happened on the pitch but off it as well. The town has come together at home and on the road and I really hope we can top it off with silverware come the end of it, both in the league and cup.

JESS: Amazing! Loved every minute of the season. A great group of players & staff, good runs in all competitions and hopefully two trophies! Can’t complain about too much!

What are your expectations for Denbigh next season?

OLLIE: Having secured promotion to the JD Cymru North I believe we’re strong enough to finish midtable and cement ourselves in the division. I believe we've had a tier-two caliber side all season and will only add to that.

JESS: Finishing mid table in Tier 2 is a respectable outcome for the first season back in the higher league!

Interview questions by Chris Parry [Media Officer] Photos [Denbigh Town Football Club]

WITH THE GAFFER - LLYR HUGHES BOW STREET

Bow Street Manager, Llyr Hughes caught up with Ardal Northern Media Officer, Chris Parry to reflect on what has been a successful season for the club

From the outside looking in, you've had a fantastic season, finishing in the top 3 of the Ardal North East and reaching the Ardal Northern League Cup Final. What are your overall thoughts on your season?

For me this year has been a huge success irrespective of the Cup Final result. Finishing 3rd in a very competitive league is no mean feat for a club reliant on the goodwill of volunteers and the hard work of the lads who live within a few miles of the village.

Apart from a few disappointing results and the fact we lost a few key players during the season, then who knows we could have pushed on further. However, the league never lies and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved.

Looking towards the Cup Final, this will be a great occasion for the club and a huge opportunity for the lads to play against the best that Tier 3 has to offer against a strong Denbigh side and is something we’re all looking forward to.

Managers and their staff generally like to set goals and targets at the start of the season. Was bettering last seasons 5th place finish and reaching a cup final on the agenda?

In only my second season and taking into account last year’s 5th place finish along with some dismal cup runs, this year was all about progression for the club as a whole, in the league and a few cup runs.

Thankfully these targets have been met and during the course of the season we’ve seen some great games and lots of drama at Cae Piod as we progressed to the Cup Final.

Many people are saying that this is the biggest game in Bow Streets history, would you agree with that?

So I’m told by the stalwarts of the club, those who bleed ‘Black and White’. The club have been in Tier 3 league Cup Finals previously and had success which we shouldn’t forget. However with the new format, bringing the East and West teams together at the latter stages of the competition does certainly give it that little bit extra.

You must feel immensely proud to have written yourselves into the history of the club by reaching the final. Now that you're here, do you feel the pressure will be more on you to win it or more so for Denbigh Town as they're chasing a league and cup double?

It’s no doubt a huge achievement and something for all associated to the club to be immensely proud of. I don’t think we’re under any pressure other than what we put on ourselves, as I place high expectations on the lads to achieve, as they do themselves. We, the Management Team of myself, Sej, Dean and the close working relationships with the Reserves of Huw and Amlyn have been fortunate enough to work with a great bunch of lads over the last two seasons, so my hope is we turn up on the day, give a good account of ourselves and leave nothing behind. If we do that we’ll be in with a good shout and as I’ve said all season, if we play to our potential we’re a match for any side.

C’mon the Magpies!

Diolch, Bugs

THE VIEW FROM THE STANDSBOW STREET

Pete James,club secretary and lifelong Bow Street supporter reflects on a positive season ahead of todays final...

Firstly, how long have you been a supporter of Bow Street?

Since I can remember – I made my Bow Street debut as a 5 year old Mascot in the 1984 Emrys Morgan Cup Final in Llanidloes which saw us lift the cup for the first time. The family continue to have a huge association with the club with my brothers and I all having played for the Club over many years. I graduated from Mascot to eventually Club Captain and by now I’m Club Secretary.

What has been your stand out moment of the season so far?

I think the home Welsh Cup Tie against Colwyn Bay who bought a great bunch of supporters down, with the Sgorio Cameras covering the game too. It was a good day despite the end result and we gave a good account of ourselves on and off the pitch. I’m hoping Bugs is looking for a return pre season fixture as they seem to have a great set up.

What has been the most disappointing moment of your season?

A combination of two things I think – firstly some poor mid-season away results against the lower teams, which looking back, were missed opportunities to put a stronger title challenge together, and secondly, losing some of our key players like Tom Wyn and the injuries to Richie Ricketts and latterly to Sion Ewart which saw them miss the league run in and todays cup final.

Which player or players should Denbigh Town be wary of today?

Unfair to single anyone out I think and every squad member has played a part but Ben Davies has really impressed me this season

Who's your favourite player and why?

Has to Ifan ‘Buzza’ Burrell – must be amazing to be able to run that fast!. Fond memories of our last cup final appearance lifting the Spar Mid Wales League Cup in 2019 where Buzz sealed the win. Lovely guy.

THE VIEW FROM THE STANDSBOW STREET

Pete James,club secretary and lifelong Bow Street supporter reflects on a positive season ahead of todays final...

Who's been your player of the season?

A few candidates here but for me I think its Sion Ewart – he’s consistent and rarely scores less than 7/10 week in week out - he hit a purple patch after the new year scoring some crucial goals and some stand out performances and his from continued until his recent injury

What are your thoughts on your season overall?

Irrespective of today’s result It has been an excellent season for us with our highest ever league finish for the first team, not forgetting also our reserves who went unbeaten in the league to secure the title and with another cup final looming.

What are your expectations for Bow Street next season?

I’d like to think we can take great confidence from our performances this season and use as motivation to build a real title challenge next season and who knows..an eye on promotion maybe??

Interview questions by Chris Parry [Media Officer] Photos [Bow Street Football Club & Colwyn Bay Football Club]

THE FINAL WORD -

CHAS ROWLAND LEAGUE SECRETARY

Today's final is only the second in the Lock Stock Ardal Northern leagues, congratulations to Bow Street and Denbigh Town on reaching the final and a big thank you to Caersws for hosting today’s game.

Today is the final day of a long season, due to all the postponements, mainly because of the weather which we have had to compete with - rain, snow and frost. Let’s hope for a final day to remember in years to come on a bright sunny day,

Congratulations to all the match officials on their appointments, all well deserved.

Today’s game sees two of the best teams in the Lock Stock Ardal Northern leagues, one from the North East and one from the North West, both have had great seasons which all bodes well for an exciting final.

It’s been a traumatic season with teams resigning and league cup appeals but as we come to the climax, we can say the leagues are hopefully moving in the right direction, but there’s a long way to go!

We all look forward to the make up of the leagues for next season which should be decided at an FAW National League board meeting on June 6th.

Good luck to both teams today, may the best team win a good, open, sporting occasion.

ArdalNorthernLeague General&FixtureSecretary

ArdalNorthWestLeagueChampions-DenbighTown

ArdalNorthEastLeagueChampions-Caersws

Aaron Jones

Dan Parry-Jones

Craig Rogers

Billy Holmes

Ben Lockley

Harry Lockley

Morgan Thomas-Sadler

Dan Clarke

Jason Foulkes

Paul Fleming

Keiron Roberts

Sion Jones

Sam Haddon

Luca Bennett

Alex Brownhill

Nathan Brown

Jake Walker

Craig Pritchard

Oliver Hansen

Harvey Bennett

Matthew Worrall

Jacob Edwards

SQUADS

Ben Willis

Steff Richards

Tom Wyn Roberts

John James

Rhydian Davies

Joshua Ferreira

Callum Ferreira

Gwion Ap Dafydd

Rhys Hughes

Ifan Burrell

Dafydd Carruthers

Ryan Evans

Ben Davies

Sion Sullivan

Garmon Nutting

Steff Davies

Owen Roberts-Young

Joey Williams

Sion Ewart

Llyr Davies

Richie Ricketts

Llyr Hughes

Manager - Dewi Llion Jones

Assistant Manager - Kristian Pierce

Coach - Brett Jones

Coach - Matthew Jones

Coach - Liam Nash

Manager - Llyr Hughes

Assistant Manager - Warren Sedgewick

Coach - Dean Evans

Officials - Referee - Iolo Williams (Caernarfon) | 1st AR Levi Roberts (Wrexham) | 2nd AR Richard Pickstock (Llanfyllin) 4th Official - Ryan Davies (Oswestry)