THE HONOURS LIST
Lock Stock Ardal North-West
Champions - 2022/23
Ardal Northern League Cup
Winners - 2022/23
FAW Amateur Trophy
Winners - 1923/24
Runners-Up - 2022/23
Cymru Alliance/North
Runners-Up - 2017/18
Welsh League Cup
Runners-Up - 2015/16
Welsh Alliance
Champions - 2013/14
Champions - 2006/07
Champions - 1995/96
Mawddach Challenge Cup
Winners - 2013/14
Cookson Cup
Winners - 2010/11
Winners - 2006/07
Winners - 2005/06
Winners - 1995/96
Barritt Cup
Winners - 2005/06
Alves Cup
Winners - 2003/04
North West Arrows Cup
Winners - 1992/93
Wrexham Area Division One Cup
Winners - 1977/78
Winners - 1976/77
Winners - 1975/76
Winners - 1974/75
Winners - 1972/73
Welsh National League (Wrexham)
Champions - 1975/76
Champions - 1974/75
Champions - 1973/74
Champions - 1972/73
NWCFA Challenge Cup
Winners - 1972/73
NWCFA Amateur Cup
Winners - 1971/72
Winners - 1969/70
Winners - 1923/24
Welsh League Divsion Two East
Champions - 1953/54
Champions - 1952/53
Champions - 1948/49
CROESOIBARCCANOLOG
CHAIRMAN
SHON POWELL
PRESIDENT
CLWYD WILLIAMS
TREASURER
IWAN JONES
VICE CHAIRMAN
RICHARD BLAKE
SECRETARY / MD SECRETARY
NEALL CONDON
GARETH LUKE JONES
MEDIA OFFICER
OLLIE BEECH
COMMITTEE
HAYDN WILLIAMS
PAUL MONTGOMERY
PHOTOGRAPHY
ROY GUNTHER
STEPHEN WHITFIELD
LISI JONES
HONOURY MEMBERS
ROBERT GRIFFITHS - LIFE PRESIDENT
EMYR LLOYD - LIFE VICE PRESIDENT
GLYN JONES - LIFE MEMBER
MANAGEMENT
WWW DENBIGHTOWNFC CO UK
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TWITTER: @DENBIGHTOWNFC
INSTAGRAM: @DENBIGHTOWNFOOTBALLCLUB
TIKTOK: @DENBIGHTOWNFC
#DTFC
CONTACT
GENERAL: INFO@DENBIGHTOWNFC CO UK
PRESS/MEDIA: DENBIGHMEDIA@GMAIL COM
SECRETARY: NEALLALI@HOTMAIL CO UK
DEWI LLION JONES - FIRST TEAM MANAGER
MATTHEW JONES - ASSISTANT MANAGER
SIMON ROBERTS - FIRST TEAM COACH
LIAM NASH - FIRST TEAM COACH
JORDAN BAKER - RESERVES MANAGER
RICH MORRIS - RESERVES ASSISTANT
AARON EVANS - RESERVES ASSISTANT
SION JONES - RESERVES COACH
ELLEN LAWSON - LADIES MANAGER
ALED DAVIES - LADIES ASSISTANT
THE CHAIRMAN
Welcome
to Central
Park this evening for tonight’s JD Cymru North game against Colwyn Bay
I’d like to extend a warm Denbigh welcome to all the Colwyn Bay players, coaching team, Committee and supporters Colwyn Bay have a strong following and we expect a large crowd for the game
I cannot recall us ever having a competitive league game against Colwyn Bay in modern times, so this evening’s game may well be a first. After years of playing across the border in England, their decision to rejoin the Welsh Leagues in 2019/20 has been a most welcome one for Welsh football
Work continues around the ground on our new changing rooms, kitchen and function room. It was so good to see the cement mixer arrive earlier this week to lay the first part of the concrete foundations Preparing the groundwork has taken a little longer than we anticipated, but at the end of the day we want to get everything right and it was so important to get this as we wanted before the building work starts
Next Friday evening, I’ve been invited to Cardiff by the FAW to give a presentation to them on the running of a grassroots club and how we go about improving our facilities and how we raise funds to accommodate these improvements Over the years we have done so much here at Central Park starting with floodlights, a new stand, a new pitch and now our existing project
The day-to-day running of a Club is paramount to the success of any grassroots club and we are no exception We are fortunate enough to have a committed bunch of volunteers who do such much work behind the scenes including secretarial, financial, looking after the ground and media work. As any Club improves its profile and rises through the Leagues there are so many more chores to do which go unnoticed and we are so grateful to these volunteers without whom the Club just could not function.
We are in need of additional volunteers to help on match days such as this evening, as well as helping at our Reserves and Ladies games It’s an exciting time to be involved with the future seeing us completing the new building and being one of the grounds to host the EURO Under 19s Championship in 2026 If you feel you can help in any way, please have a word with myself, Iwan, Ollie or any Committee member
I’d like to pay special mention to three of our volunteers who you see rain or shine when you enter the ground and who have been carrying out these roles on our gate for as long as I can remember Robert (Popsey) Griffiths , Owen Thomas and Clwyd Williams have between them a combined age of 243 years, with Owen having last week celebrated his 87th birthday. They are such a credit to the Club, and we are fortunate to have had them offer their help for so long
Last week’s match at Flint Mountain was one of the most entertaining I’ve seen in a long time as the Denbigh came back from being 4-1 down to draw 4-4 It was quite a second half Let’s hope the lads can carry on with that second half style of fast flowing exciting football and gain another three points this evening. Enjoy the game!
THE GAFFER
Welcome back to Central Park for this evening’s JD Cymru North league game against Colwyn Bay.
Last Friday night’s game at Flint Mountain was some game and wasn’t for the faint hearted. We were sloppy in the first half as they pressed us hard in the opening gambits of the game To go down 2-0 after 18 minutes just wasn’t good enough and the lads know it We then came into the game more and were commanding it as we pulled one back with a great strike from a free kick from Keelan Williams. To let a third in just before half time was so disappointing and a fourth just after the restart really meant we had an uphill task
It was after their fourth that we really started to play and pull our socks up. The second-half performance was so much better than the first and we played some of our best football this season We had chance after chance Owen Davies finished with a brilliant flying header to give us our second We made a couple of substitutions which paid off immediately with Owen being fouled in the box and Nathan slotting home the penalty Despite numerous chances it took us until the final minutes to get the equaliser, this time Owen executing a cool penalty under great pressure
I guess after being 4-1 down after 50 minutes we should be grateful to have got the draw, but I felt we could still have gone on to claim the three points after we had more chances in injury time It was another game I had to watch from the stand following a three-match suspension I incurred following the Bangor game at the end of last season. I entered the field of play at the final whistle of that game after being sent off and remonstrated with the referee which I shouldn’t have done It’s been a hard lesson to take as I’ve been unable to contribute anything before during or after the Gresford and Flint Mountain games. Tonight, I’ll be in the stand again and am grateful to my coaches Matty Jones, Simon Roberts and Liam Nash for their help in my absence
We‘ve had a good training session within the week and everyone within the squad is available for selection except Harry Lockley who is on International duty. It’s a fantastic achievement for Harry to be selected for England’s Transplant World Cup campaign in Italy this week Harry has come on so far after his kidney transplant twelve months ago and there has been no stopping him wanting to get back to normal life after the operation and then fighting so hard to get back to playing football. After some Reserve team games, he fully warranted joining us back in the first team squad and is a great example to everyone that having a positive attitude can mean so much despite what life may throw at you We’re all rooting for you Harry.
We’ve had a couple of further additions to the squad recently Central defender Mackenzie Stark has joined us from Irlam of the North West Counties League just before the transfer window closed having previously been with Chester’s academy and he came on as a sub for his debut at Flint. Alfie Vaughan an exciting left footed forward also joined us from Prestatyn having previously been with Connahs Quays Nomads Academy and has made four impressive appearances so far
The new signings have helped bolster the squad and I feel we are in a good place to move forward now after an indifferent start to the season
I want to see us build on that second half performance at Flint Mountain and get a win tonight It won’t be easy as Colwyn Bay are a formidable opposition with some quality players in their squad and we’ll have to be on our toes from the start with everyone giving their full concentration.
TOWN MOUNT HUGE COMEBACK IN FLINT
Flint Mountain 4-4 Denbigh Town
Denbigh Town mounted an incredible comeback last Friday to come back from 4-1 down in the second half to share the points.
A disastrous start that saw Town 3-1 down at the break led to a crushing fourth before Denbigh pulled themselves up and fought back for an outstanding point In reality, it could have been all three
Despite that the four strikes from Keelan Williams, Owen Davies (brace) and Nathan Brown put an end to a losing run and earned the first point on the road of the campaign.
Comebacks can only come from an initial setback and the first arrived for Denbigh on six minutes when Rob Hughes breezed past the Town defence to slam home from the edge of the box
It was in reality a disastrous start for Denbigh, which was almost made worse on nine minutes when goalkeeper Jones rushed out to clear before the ball ricocheted off of Dan Parry-Jones into the path of Jack Parry, but his lofted effort sailed just wide of an empty net.
With just short of 15 gone Town created their first chance when Williams crossed perfectly from the left that Ben Lockley could only head just wide Perhaps sensing the Town chance, Flint blasted forward and less than four minutes later they doubled their advantage After applying pressure a long throw bounced in the Denbigh box and Rowan Whelan was able to nudge it home
Now Denbigh had to react and that they did. A superb move forward saw Fleming go through one on one with a thumping shot smashing the underside of the crossbar A minute later a corner was swept in finding Lockley but his header was blocked before Duffy was hacked down on the edge of the box Up stepped Williams who drilled the free kick low past the goalkeeper to halve the deficit on 22 minutes
The last thing Denbigh needed when applying the pressure was to gift a chance to Flint, but on 39 minutes Jones in goal played a sloppy pass out from the back which Jack Sconce duly picked up before firing into an open goal to undo that hard work.
Down at the break Denbigh were keen to start well They didn’t, but suddenly they roared to life First Alfie Clark raced through defender after defender to drill home and seemingly with 48 minutes gone put the game to bed
However, Denbigh somehow bolted up First of all Williams, a constant threat out wide, fed the ball to Duffy who cut inside before dragging an effort wide. Then, the moment that sparked the game back into life for Denbigh came. Butler was brilliant down the right crossing for Davies who’s bullet headed flashed past the goalkeeper to give a glimmer of hope
A minute later, the glimmer’s shine grew stronger Town made a double change introducing Nathan Brown and Iwan Roberts and within a minute Brown was called upon Davies was brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot Brown stepped up and delivered part two of the fightback
It felt like Denbigh’s plethora of missed efforts following the two second-half goals would haunt them, but with three minutes to play Flint’s defensive discipline disappeared when Davies was again fouled in the box and a penalty awarded This time he took it himself under pressure, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to complete a frankly ridiculous comeback.
Things were far from finished though, a rare chance for Flint in the second half saw Sconce test Jones who had to tip an effort over the bar but the most likely side to win it was Denbigh. Lockley crossed from the right in stoppage time where substitute Stark somehow couldn’t get enough on his header to find an empty net Seconds later it fell to Roberts in the middle of the box but he too couldn’t put the finishing touches to it in a let-off for the hosts.
Referee: Iolo Williams
Denbigh Town: A.Jones, Williams, B.Lockley, Cooke, Parry-Jones, K.Roberts, Butler, Duffy, Vaughan, Fleming, Davies
Subs: Wilmot, Holmes, Stark, S Jones, I Roberts, Hansen, Brown
Attendance: 329
BRIEF HISTORY: DENBIGH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB
Denbigh Town Football Club was formed in 1880 and have been one of the longest-serving clubs in North Wales.
The early years saw the club play in a number of leagues including the North Wales Coast and Welsh Senior League, as well as time in the old Combination.
The club rose to fame in the 1920s when during the 1923/24 campaign, it won its first and only national honour, the Welsh Amateur Cup beating Lovell’s Athletic. The club went under different names throughout those years including United and Juniors before settling on Town in the 1950s
Following the Second World War Denbigh clinched numerous honours before the golden period of the 1970s that saw the club dominate the Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) winning four successive league titles
After turning to the Clwyd Premier following the departure of successful manager John Trefor Roberts, the club shot back up the ladder upon the appointment of Bill Dawson who took the club from the Clwyd Premier to the Cymru Alliance in just four years
The club remained in the second tier for six years before returning to the Welsh Alliance but under Tim Dyer the club was promoted alongside a Cookson Cup success in 2007.
In 2013/14 the club went unbeaten in the Welsh Alliance earning a third promotion to tier two after their return to the division in 2010. In 2015/16 the club reached it’s second national final and the biggest game in club history when reaching the League Cup Final, losing to professional outfit TNS on national television.
Upon relegation from the Cymru Alliance in 2019, manager Dewi Llion rebuilt his squad and in 2023 earned a league and cup double to move up to the JD Cymru North, finishing 6th in their first season back
TOWN COACH CARRIES THE TORCH IN PARIS
Denbigh Town Football Club were proudly represented on the world stage this summer.
The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games saw members of the community from across the globe carry the torch to open the historic event and Denbigh’s own Reserves Coach Aaron Evans was selected to do the honours
Evans, who joined the club in the summer as part of Jordan Baker’s coaching staff, was invited to the French capital to take the flame in a proud moment for him and for the club.
He has suffered with Cerebral Palsy since childhood, a condition which is caused by damage or abnormalities inside the developing brain that disrupt it’s ability to control movement and maintain posture and balance The term cerebral refers to the brain; palsy refers to the loss or impairment of motor function
However, Evans has never let the condition define him or to hinder his enjoyment or lust for life and has kept active and involved in football in North Wales as well as for Everton at Disability level. He returned to football in the summer alongside Baker and has been an infectious, motivational and knowledgable coach for the Reserves’ young squad
Nominated by friends to bear the torch, Evans did so for the first time during the London games in 2012 in Conwy, and had the honour of doing so again on August 25th. He carried it through Valenciennes and was the only British man to do so in Northern France
“I want to say thank you to the Reserves players for their banter and kindness about the torch bearing” said Evans.
“It was a fantastic experience and I’m just so lucky to be able to do it”.
Denbigh Town Chairman Shon Powell commented “We’re incredibly proud of Aaron who represented himself, North Wales and Denbigh Town Football Club with distinction”.
Well done, Azz!
OPPOSITION WYN BAY
Ground: Llanelian Road
Capacity: 3,000 (1,850 seated)
Nickname: The Seagulls
Founded: 1881
2023/24: 11th (JD Cymru Premier)
Manager: Michael Wilde
A team representing Colwyn Bay played its first match in January 1881 and competed in the North Wales Coast Football League from 1901 until that competition folded in 1921 when the majority of clubs joined the Welsh National League. The Bay enjoyed some success in this, winning the League Cup in 1928 and finishing as league runners-up in both 1928 and 1930 – which was to prove the last season for the competition
Following years in both the English and Welsh system, in 1984 the club crossed the border with election to the North West Counties League It was also at this time that the Bay left their Eirias Park ground for their present Llanelian Road base.
Over the next few decades the club were promoted to the Northern Premier league and the National League North, whilst also enjoying FA Cup success In the Cup they reached the First Round proper for the first time in 1988 losing to Northwich Victoria, whilst also reaching that stage in 1995 beating Spennymoor to reach the Second Round In that tie they lost narrowly to Blackpool
After over 35 years in the English system Colwyn Bay returned to Welsh football, competing in the JD Cymru North for the 2019/20 campaign
After their debut season was cut short due to the pandemic, the Bay finished 6th in their first full season
The 2022/23 season proved to be a memorable one in the club’s history, winning the JD Cymru North title having lost only one league game all campaign and winning 25 consecutive matches and scoring a total of 101 goals The Bay completed the double with victory over Porthmadog in the final of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup northern final but were beaten by Barry Town in the competition’s national final The club was however relegated in their first year in Wales’ top flight.
PLAYERS
Lewis Sirrell Tom Creamer
Rhys Nash Gwion Dafydd
THE SQUAD
THE SQUAD DENBIGH TOWN
SAMDUFFY
Previous Clubs: Rhyl FC, Kinmel Bay, NFA, Chester FC Sponsored by Mr Glynn of Denbigh
Previous Clubs: Airbus UK Broughton Sponsorship Available
Previous Clubs: Liverpool, Bala Town Sponsorship Available
Previous Clubs: Chester FC, Flint Town United, Airbus UK Broughton Sponsored by BGS Grass Cutting Services
Previous Clubs: St Asaph City Sponsored by JTL Architectural Hardware
Previous Clubs: The New Saints Sponsored by Prestige Payments
TOM SALISBURY
Previous Clubs: N/A Sponsored by Councillor Mark Young
HARRISONBELLIS
Previous Clubs: Prestatyn Town, Meliden, Flint Town United, Holywell Town, Colwyn Bay, Mold Alexandra Sponsorship Available
Previous Clubs: Rhyl All Stars, Y Glannau Sponsored by Jack’s Barbershop
ALFIEVAUGHAN
Previous Clubs: Connah’s Quay Nomads, St Asaph City, Prestatyn Town Sponsorship Available
Denbigh Town defender Harry Lockley had a seat on the plane this week as he represented England at the 2024 Transplant World Cup.
Birmingham-born Lockley, who last season missed a chunk of the campaign following his kidney transplant, flew out to Italy on Sunday ready to face Romania and France the following day.
England were successful in their opening match beating Romania a staggering 13-0 before putting the French to the sword 3-0
Lockley scored twice in less than a minute in the opening game with two superb efforts, a brilliant solo finish before starting and ending a move to make it 3-0 in the first three minutes
Against France he crossed superbly to gain an assist and help his side to victory before netting once again the next day against the USA. Later on he was part of a 6-1 win over Wales, again finding the back of the net.
They saw out the group on Wednesday against Ireland in a 2-0 triumph with the Town defender scoring both goals and sending his side to the Semi-Final against Spain.
Lockley was again on the scoresheet on Thursday to put England ahead against Spain but it wouldn’t prove to be enough as the Spaniards came back to take a 2-1 victory.
He returns to Denbigh following a brilliant tournament and everyone at the club is incredibly proud of his performances on the world stage
SQUAD GOALS
Denbigh Town Football Club 2024/25
Bottom Row (Left to Right): Iwan Roberts, Nathan Brown, Keiron Roberts, Dewi Llion, Paul Fleming, Calum Butler, Harry Lockley
Middle Row (Left to Right): Mackenzie Stark, Sam Duffy, Liam Nash, Matthew Jones, Simon Roberts, Keelan Williams, Olly Hansen
Top Row (Left to Right): Max Cooke, Dan Parry-Jones, Billy Holmes, Luke Wilmot, Owen Davies, Tom Salisbury, Alfie Vaughan
Missing: Sion Jones, Ben Lockley, Aaron Jones, Harrison Bellis
Photograph: Lisi Jones
DENBIGH TOWN LADIES
Denbigh Town Ladies began their season in style on the opening day of the campaign.
Lawson’s Ladies took on Coedpoeth United at Central Park where goals from Lowri Claybrook, Catrin Davies, Lois Roberts and Paige Perkins secured a 6-0 success to start in style.
However, a week later in the NEWFA Cup they faced a tricky Pwllheli side. Despite an effort from Natalie Harrison finding the net, it was the visitors from West Wales who advanced in an 8-1 drubbing.
The Ladies are next in action on Sunday with a trip to Henllan in a ‘Denbigh Derby’ at Top Parc.
15/09/24: Henllan (A)
22/09/24: Pwllheli (H) (Welsh Cup)
13/10/24: Northop Hall (H)
03/11/24: Berriew (A)
24/11/24: Welshpool (H)
08/12/24: Airbus (A)
12/01/25: Coedpoeth (A)
19/01/25: Henllan (H)
02/02/25: Northop (A)
16/02/25: Berriew (H)
23/02/25: Welshpool (A)
09/03/25: Airbus (H)
DENBIGH TOWN RESERVES
Denbigh Town Reserves continued their FAW Reserve League NorthEast campaign last weekend.
Jordan Baker’s side replicated the First Team last Saturday with a 4-4 draw with Holywell Town. However, it was Denbigh who surrendered the lead this time after Benjamin Ellis, Morgan Fricker, Tom Salisbury and Gabriel Hinchcliffe gave Town a 4-2 lead at the break. However, Holywell hit back in the second half to share the points in a thrilling contest.
It followed on from the end of August which saw Denbigh put four past Prestatyn to just a single reply, as Baker’s side won 4-1 via Salisbury, Serhad Kanli, Cai Frith and an own goal.
The Reserves are next in action tomorrow in a Vale of Clwyd Derby at Ruthin Town.
14/09/2024: Ruthin Town (A)
28/09/2024: Buckley Town (H)
Further fixtures are to be announced.
1) Who scored an 88th minute leveller for Denbigh at Flint Mountain last week?
2) Who did Wales beat 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League on Monday night?
3) Following on from that question, how quickly did Wales score their two goals?
4) Which club did Alfie Vaughan (pictured) sign for the club from?
5) What is the nickname of today’s opponents, Colwyn Bay?
6) Who play their home matches at Portman Road?
7) Pele scored over 600 goals for which Brazilian club?
8) Denbigh have played two and won two at home this season, name one of our opponents.
9) Denbigh Town Reserves play in what tomorrow afternoon?
10) Which two players made their 150th club appearances at the end of August?
QUICK QUESTIONS BILLY HOLMES
Who did you grow up supporting? Denbigh Town.
What was your first car? Hyundai i10
What film should everyone watch at least once? Greenbook (On Netflix Currently)
Dream holiday destination Norway (Whale Watching)
If you could only listen to one artist, who would it be?
Johnny Cash
Best memory in a Denbigh Town shirt?
Bar the day at Brickfield winning the league, big games that season against Rhyl and Bangor brought some great scenes in the changing rooms after the game.
Best player you've played with or against?
Have always said Owain Roberts, played with him and against him
Best stadium you've played in? Central Park by a country mile, hometown.
Player you'd be most ok with as your brother-inlaw?
Azzy Jones, sensible lad with a steady head on his shoulders.
Sum up Dewi Llion in one word? Denbigh - through and through.
Holywell Town (A)
JD Cymru North
Halkyn Road
28/09/24 14:30
Mold Alexandra (H)
JD Cymru North Central Park
04/10/24 19:45
Bangor 1876 (A)
JD Cymru North Nantporth Stadium
11/10/24 19:45
