PROGRAMME | Denbigh Town v Gresford Athletic (19/03/2024)

Anrhydedd a Swyddogion / Honours & Officials

Lock Stock Ardal North West League Champions 2023

Lock Stock Ardal North League Cup Winners 2023

Dragon Signs FAW Amateur Trophy Finalists 2023

Huws Gray Alliance League Runners Up 2018

The.Word Cup Finalists 2016

Welsh Alliance League Champions 2014

Mawddach Challenge Cup Winners 2014

Lock Stock Cookson Cup Winners 2011

Welsh Alliance League Champions 2007

Cookson Cup Winners 2007

Barritt Cup Winners 2006

President: Clwyd Williams

Life President: Robert Griffiths

Life Vice President: Emyr Lloyd

Life Member: Glyn Jones

Chairman: Shon Powell

Vice Chairman: Richard Blake

Treasurer: Iwan Jones

Secretary : Neall Condon

Assistant Secretary : Steve Whitfield

Cookson Cup Winners 2006 Assistant First Team Coaches: Kristian Pierce, Matthew Jones, Brett Jones

Alves Cup Winners 2003

Welsh Alliance League Champions 1996

Cookson Cup Winners 1996

North West Arrows Cup Winners 1993

Wrexham Area Div 1 Cup Winners 1978

Wrexham Area Div 1 Cup Winners 1977

Reserve Team Manager: Liam Nash

Committee:

Arthur Vaughan

Haydn Williams

Gareth Luke Jones

Paul Montgomery

Secretary: Neall Condon

Wrexham Area Div 1 Champions 1976 4 Abbey Court, Denbigh, LL16 3HU

Wrexham Area Div 1 Cup Winners 1976

Wrexham Area Div 1 Champions 1975

Wrexham Area Div 1 Cup Winners 1975

Wrexham Area Div 1 Champions 1974

Wrexham Area Div 1 Champions 1973

Wrexham Area Div 1 Cup Winners 1973

NWCFA

Tel: 07443924005

Email: neallali@hotmail.co.uk

Club Photographers: Roy Gunther & Stephen Whitfield

Media Officer: Ollie Beech

Press/Media/Website/Social Media requests

Email: denbighmedia@gmail.com

Youth Cup Winners 1957

1973

Welsh Amateur Cup Winners 1924

First Team Match Day Tweeter: Ollie Beech, Gareth Luke Jones, Iwan Jones

Harvey Williams

Board Room

Chairman’s Notes

Welcome to Central Park for this evening’s JD Cymru North League game against Gresford.

I’d like to extend a warm Denbigh welcome to all the Gresford players, coaching team, Commi ee and supporters. This is the fourth a empt we’ve had at playing this game this season. Firstly because of a frozen pitch, then Storm Jocelyn’s winds and finally a waterlogged pitch. So, we are all praying that the weather holds up and tonight’s game goes ahead.

It’s a welcome back to Central Park for Eddie Maurice-Jones our former manager who took our team to its highest ever Tier 2 finish by coming second in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance League back in season 2017-2018. I know Eddie has recently suffered an achilles injury and trust he recovers well. His goalkeeper during the 2017-18 season was Jonathan Hill-Dunt who is now a coach alongside Eddie . Another ex Denbigh players is also in their squad - Nathan Williams

As we come to the end of our season with just two more home games le , I’d like to advise you of three games we have been invited to host over the next few weeks.

On Saturday 6th April we will host the Welsh Blood League Cup Final North between Llandudno and Mold with a 5.30pm kick off

This is followed by the Cookson Cup Final on Saturday 27th April between Kinmel Bay and Llandudno Junc on with a 2.00pm kick off

Then on Saturday 4th May we will host Cymru North v Cymru South UEFA Regions play off final. This is a highly pres gious game for us to host as the teams are made up of amateur players from Tiers 2 and below of Welsh football. The winners then go on to represent Wales in the intermediate round of the 2024/25 UEFA Regions finals. The unique amateur tournament, which has been running for more than 20 years and features players who have never competed at any professional level, sees European associa ons select regional sides to compete against each other.

The FAW is represented by Tîm Rhanbarthol Cymru, made up of players from the second er and below of Welsh domes c football. They have been drawn in a group with the RAT (Regional Amateur Teams) from Serbia, Slovakia and North Macedonia.

Guilsfield boss Nathan Leonard will select and manage a North Wales side, while current Trefelin manager Andy Hill will be his opposite number for a South Wales squad, for a pair of play-off fixtures. The winning team will become Tîm Rhanbarthol Cymru for the intermediate round of the 2024-25 UEFA Regions’ Cup.

Once again, we are being recognised for the playing surface we have here at Central Park. In me once we have secured all the funding for our new changing room project we will be aiming to host even more such pres gious games and put Denbigh on the map as a key venue for high profile Welsh games.

A word about our priceless volunteers. We are so indebted to our kitchen team of Jean, Jayne, Lesley, Ann & Rob who hardly see any of the games we play due to their being so busy serving food and drink. The kitchen provides us with valuable income for our finances as does the bar area where Paul, Dave and Gareth do some great work.

It is an exci ng me to be involved with the Club as we look to enhance our facili es and with all our Senior and Junior teams doing so well in their respec ve Leagues.

If you feel you have some me available to help the Club off the field in whatever form, please contact myself or Iwan who can give you more details as to the posts we have available. In the mean me, let’s see our lads get the three points this a ernoon.

Enjoy the game.

Shon Powell Chairman

Managers Office

Manager’s Notes

Welcome to Central Park for this evening’s JD Cymru North league game against Gresford Athle c. Let’s hope this game goes ahead as it’s the fourth me we’ve arranged this fixture with the three earlier games called off due to poor weather condi ons.

Our last home fixture was a 6-1 win over Chirk AAA. A er a mixed first half we came in for the break drawing 11. We’d had plenty of possession but could not break down a well organised Chirk defence. A slight change of tac cs saw us have a much more produc ve second half with us notching five goals.

Some of these were first class strikes, none more so than Ma y Worrall’s shot from just by the half way line which flew over the keeper. Woggy has been in great scoring form recently as he scored two against Chirk that evening and got a brace a fortnight earlier against Prestatyn . This takes him up to 13 for the season, the same number that Nathan Brown has reached.

That Chirk night saw the ever impressive and improving Josh Lock score a second half hat-trick and he has con nued to thrive in his roving midfield role. It was great to see him being recognised by being chosen in last weeks’ JD Cymru Team of the Week which includes Tier 1 and Tier 2 players from across Wales.

Last Saturday we travelled to Holywell who are looking likely to be in a strong posi on to claim the League tle. We did so well on a very difficult pitch which was so uneven and made the ball being difficult to control at mes. We were more than a match for them in the first half and can consider ourselves unlucky not to go into the break with a lead rather than a 0-0 score.

The second half saw Holywell get two goals within a short space of me and the pitch made a contribu ng factor in both these goals. As Aaron , our keeper came out to clear a hopeful punt from Holywell’s defence , rather than the ball bounce as he expected , it plugged and fell into the path of an oncoming forward who was able to round Aaron and fire into an empty net. Very unlucky.

A long ball over the heads of our defence saw Ben Lockley’s legs stuck in the mud in that he just couldn’t turn quickly enough to stop Holywell’s striker sprint past him to fire home. Unlucky again.

So, despite what a appears on paper a comprehensive win for Holywell, it was far from the case and we were more than happy with the team’s performance

Tonight, Eddie Maurice-Jones returns to Central Park this evening as Gresford’s manager. Eddie was good enough to appoint me as one of his coaches during his spell here as manager. I’m grateful to him for that opportunity and wish him well as he recovers from an Achilles tendon injury.

On the pitch though , we need to return to winning ways once again. We have a full squad available except for Keiron Roberts who is suspended a er picking up a fi h yellow card at Holywell. We beat Gresford earlier in the season with a very late goal and found them difficult to break down in the final third that day. I know they will have done their homework on our style of play as they were at the Holywell game watching us and so we need to be on our toes from the start and to concentrate fully throughout the game.

Enjoy the game

Dewi Llion Jones Manager

PREVIEW |

Denbigh Town v Gresford Athletice

Fourth time lucky for Town & Gresford

After three postponements, Denbigh Town and Gresford Athletic are finally going to face off at Central Park this season when they play on Tuesday night.

We take a look at both sides as we go into this crucial clash.

Form

Denbigh come into this one on the back of a 3-0 defeat to title-chasing Holywell Town.

Though the performance was promising, Holywell broke the deadlock before adding to the score twice to sink Town at Halkyn Road. The last win came in our last home game against Chirk AAA, where Town smashed six in a 6-1 victory over the league’s bottom side.

Gresford’s game on Saturday fell foul to the weather meaning their scheduled trip to Buckley was put on hold. Their last match came on the 8th March against Flint Town United, where despite scoring twice via Dom Deacon and Haci Ozlu, they conceded twice in stoppage time for Flint to take the spoils. They’ve won two of their last six matches, against Porthmadog and Llanidloes Town.

Head-to-Head

Our last meeting came at the back end of October, where Denbigh ran out 2-1 winners at the Rock. Haci Ozlu opened the scoring for Gresford before Nathan Brown levelled. Deep into stoppage time Tom Weir ran half the length of the pitch before finishing to win it in stoppage time.

Our last meeting at Central Park was in July 2022 in the Nathaniel MG Cup, Dominic Deacon netted the decider in a 1-0 win for the visitors. Our last league game at home to Gresford came in April 2017, goals from Matthew Worrall, Andrew Swarbrick and Gareth Parridge secured the points for Denbigh.

Stat Pack

Denbigh haven’t gone two league games back-to-back without scoring since April 2019, and will be looking to avoid that on Tuesday.

Ben Lockley is the last of the squad to have appeared in every game so far this season in all competitions.

Aaron Jones could make his 80th appearance in all competitions for Town on Tuesday.

Keep Up

You can keep up to date with all the action via the club’s social media channels including live text commentary via our X page (FKA Twitter) page and match report on the club website post-match. For live updates as they happen follow Denbigh Town on the Cymru Football App.

REPORT | Holywell Town 3-0 Denbigh Town

Town unstuck in Flintshire

Denbigh Town fought bravely against title-chasing Holywell on Saturday but came away with nothing to show for their efforts following a trio of second-half goals.

Despite applying pressure and edging the contest at stages, some huge fortune followed by a quickfire second and stoppage time sealer saw Holywell take the points.

Dewi Llion made one change to the starting XI that overcame Chirk last time out with Sion Jones coming in for Olly Hansen, whilst suspended Nathan Brown returned to find a place on the bench.

The game began as it meant to go on at a frantic pace with both sides going for it from the off. Despite this it took 15 minutes for the first real threat to either goal when Ryan Edwards struck a free-kick from 25 yards that cleared the crossbar..

Some in attendance were to attend a function at the Halkyn Road fundraiser following the game but weren’t expecting to mark off their bingo cards this early, as a rare mishap saw the ball passed back to goalkeeper Tyler French, who inexplicably picked the ball up. This saw Town awarded an indirect free kick which Josh Lock smashed into the wall of bodies on the line.

The hosts were causing Town problems with balls in behind and the first warning sign came on 20 minutes when Jamie Breese ran onto it, but with just Aaron Jones to beat dragged his effort wide.

With 26 minutes on the clock the Wellmen had their best chance yet, as Morgan Murray went through after an outstanding throughball, but Sion Jones tracked back well and made life difficult, Murray shot but it was denied by Aaron Jones before Danny Andrew on the follow-up somehow put his effort wide.

As the half entered it’s final stages it was Denbigh who looked most like scoring. Dion Gibbins launched a superb ball forward for Lock on the byline to the right-hand side, he beat his man before drilling the ball across the face of goal, but the onrushing Owen Davies couldn’t get a touch.

Minutes later Matthew Worrall tried his luck, forcing French into a smart save before Paul Fleming’s rebound was deflected wide and cleared. Worrall had another go moments later as Lock clipped the ball to him on the edge of the box before volleying over.

Half-Time: Holywell Town 0-0 Denbigh Town

The first chance of the half came on 53 minutes when Holywell had a free-kick in a dangerous area. The ball was swept in from the left and somehow headed wide by Jake Cooke.

Just before the hour mark the deadlock was broken. Some may downplay home advantage but here it proved to be the perfect cocktail for what is surely the unluckiest goal Denbigh will concede all season. A ball over the top bobbled horribly on the uneven and dug-up Halkyn Road pitch, taking it away from Aaron Jones and into the direct path of Breese who was able to walk the ball in.

Town thought they’d found a way back in less than a minute later as Sion Jones made inroads into the Holywell box and was chopped down, but appeals for a penalty were waved away. Two minutes later, the lead was doubled.

Scorer turned provider with 61 gone as Breese made his way down the right before laying it on a plate for Gareth Evans to tap home.

Not disheartened, Denbigh continued to press and made changes with Brown returning to the side, whilst Max Cooke and Olly Hansen were also introduced. Town came closest on 81 minutes when Sion Jones, having a fine game, hit the bar from the edge of the box.

But in stoppage time it was sealed, McGilloway fed it to Cornish who slammed it into the back of the net to leave no doubt and continue the Wellmen’s quest for the JD Cymru North title.

Denbigh Town: A.Jones, S.Jones, Lockley, Parry-Jones, Holmes, Roberts, Gibbins, Lock, Fleming, Davies, Worrall

Subs: McHarrie, Cooke, Hansen, Brown

Referee: Andy Harms

Attendance: 237

Players Sponsors

This season we are offering you the opportunity of sponsoring your favourite player for the 2023-2024 season for the cost of £75

This will include a men on in all of our home programmes, your business being adver sed on your players pen pic. Should your player score in any of our games then your business will be men oned in the tweet on our twi er page as we celebrate the goal being scored Sponsorship also allows yourself and a guest free entrance to a home game of your choice when we you will be invited to join us in our new Clubhouse as our guests for the day.

To sponsor a player please contact Iwan Jones on 07788 627819 or Steve Whi ield on 07787 485331 or speak with the player you wish to sponsor.

Player photo Business/ Club

Councillor Mark Young

Sponsor of Billy Holmes

Details of Business/Club

Party: Independent

Ward: Denbigh Lower

Town & Community: Denbigh (Lower)

Mark is the Independent Councillor for Lower Denbigh and has been a great help to the Club with our efforts to raise grant funds for our new pitch.

Business Logo/website

Asthma and Lung UK

Sponsor of Ma hew Worrall

BGB Scaffolding

Sponsor of Kris an Pierce

The Charlo e Beech Las ng Memories Fund was established in 2009. Charlo e lost her life suddenly at 15 following an asthma a ack and it is hoped that funds can aid projects run by Asthma UK so that in future this terrible disease can be further understood and others don't suffer the same loss.

BGB Scaffolding are a professional, experienced company opera ng in the North Wales area. Providing efficient, cost effec ve access soluons. Our established H&S policies provide an excellent framework of working prac ce to deliver high quality standards in service and safety.

BGS Grass Cu ng Services

Sponsor of Nathan Brown

Champion Sports

Sponsor of Craig Pritchard

BGS Grass Cutting Service offer an affordable service in North Wales and are proud to support Denbigh Town for 2023/24

Here at Champion Sports we hold our local football clubs close to our heart, helping in any means we can via sponsorships, coach CPD, or football tournaments. Local football clubs are the birthplace for every coach, footballer and the official start to their journey.

Liverpool Supporters Club

Sponsor of Sion Jones

JTL Architectural Hardware Ltd

Sponsor of Paul Fleming

Local supporters Club following the 6 mes Champions League Winners. Contact Rhodri Jones 07768 158760

North Wales Leading Supplier of Architectural Ironmongery, access control security systems, automa c door entry systems, An ligature products, complete door set solu ons, sliding door gear, signage, mirrors and washroom fi ngs.

Gareth Lewis Builders

Sponsor of Keiron Roberts

Lockley Football Coaches

Sponsor of Ben Lockley

We specialise in extensions, renova ons, listed building work, altera ons and repair, along with many other services as you can see in our por olio. If you would like a chat about a poten al project or have any enquiries then please do not hesitate to contact us on 07581 874261.

Lockley Football Coachingô Football Camps

Skill Sessions

Private sessions

Tel: 07711 215789

Lockley Football Coaches

Sponsor of Harry Lockley

Jem_aesthe cs by Jayne

Sponsor of Josh Lock

North Wales Caravans

Sponsor of Dan Parry Jones

Lockley Football Coachingô Football Camps

Skill Sessions

Private sessions

Tel: 07711 215789

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Player Profiles

Manager Dewi Llion After 4 years as Academy Director and First Team Coach at Bala Town, Dewi joined Denbigh in 2016 to assist Gareth Thomas and then Eddie Maurice-Jones, before taking the helm alongside Matty Jones as joint manager for the season 2018-2019. Dewi was appointed sole first team manager for the season 2019-2020 and led the team to runners up spot in the Lockstock Welsh Alliance League 1. Dewi is both a UEFA A Senior coach and Youth A Licensed coach aswell as holding a BSc in Sport Science & Football

Assistant Manager Kristian Pierce KP’s playing career has been cut short after several serious injuries and he retired from the game after season 2021/22. He wants to put something back into the game and at our Club where he had such a successful playing career. Had spells at Rhyl & Porthmadog aswell as playing in Europe with Bala Town. He joins us as a coach where his enthusiasm and knowledge as a player will be such a strength for our squad.

Coach Brett Jones Brett rejoins the club having previously worked at the club alongside Elfed Lloyd, following a 4 year spell at Everton Ladies U21s. He teams up alongside Dewi Llion for the second time having also worked at Bala Town FC Academy together.

Coach Mathew Jones An FAW A Licence coaching certificate holder, Matty joins us now to concentrate fully on coaching after spells at management with Conwy, Llandudno, Rhyl and ourselves a few seasons ago. He has also coached the Welsh Cymru Cup team and is highly respected coach across the North Wales football scene.

Management Players

Goalkeeper - Aaron Jones - Aaron signs following a short spell at Llanelwy Athletic. His previous Clubs are Wrexham, Everton, TNS & Flint as well as having Welsh Youth Cups. A gifted goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball by his feet

Goal Keeper Jimmy McHarrie - Young Keeper, joins us from Airbus where he played five times lat season in the JD Cymru Premier. Previously at Buckley, promising young keeper with a good future ahead of him.

Player Profiles

Defender Sion Jones - Sion is one of our promising youngsters who has been involved with the Junior Teams for many years. He joined Rhyl FC and was with their Youth teams until the start of 2018 when he moved to Denbigh. A player who is gaining in experience with every game he plays Sion is a right sided player who has broken into the first team squad through hard work and commitment, and he has a bright future ahead of him.

Defender Dan Parry Jones

19 year old Dan joins us from Colwyn Bay where he made his debut in January 2022 having previously been with Connahs Quays Nomads Development Team. He captained Welsh Colleges last season and his maturity improves with every game. A highly versatile youngster he is capable of playing in a number of positions.

Defender - Billy Holmes - Local lad Billy is a fan’s favourite with his long pacy runs with the ball at his feet. A great left footer who plays in defence or midfield he has come through the ranks at Denbigh having played for the Youth team and Reserves before breaking into the first team. He made his mark last season as a central defender being big, strong and quick . As a left footer he gives the team that added balance within the set up.

Defender Morgan Thomas Sadler A youngster with bags of potential, Morgan was on the books of Notts Forest for several years until a string of injuries hampered his career. He joins us from Colwyn Bay’s youth set up where he drew the attention of other clubs as a tough tackling, skilful midfielder with a great eye for goal.

Defender - Max Cooke Joined Denbigh Town in January 2024. Having spent almost a decade at the Deva Stadium, representing the Cestrians through numerous age groups, he made his way up to the club's under-18s. Cooke made nine appearances for the Under-18s in the National League Youth Alliance Premier Divison, whilst previously captaining Chester FC Colts in the National League Development Division. Cooke has totalled 28 games for Chester FC Youth scoring three goals, before departing for Denbigh to take his first steps in senior football.

Defender Harry Lockley Harry joins us with his twin brother Ben from Conwy Borough. He was outstanding in the two friendlies we had against them in 2021. Harry can operate in a variety of positions which will bring extra depth and competition to the squad. Comes highly recommended by his former manager Matty Jones (now our coach) and played over 20 games in the Cymru North last season.

Player Profiles

Defender Ben Lockley Ben joins us from Conwy Borough along with his twin brother Harry. He played over 20 games in season 2021/22 for Conwy Borough in a variety of roles. Comes highly recommended by Matty Jones our coach who was his manager at Conwy.

Defender - Kyle Cooper - Joins us from Llandudno and previously with the academy at Tranmere Rovers And also with Salford City. Promising young defender with a mature head on his shoulders.

Midfielder - Josh Lock - Midfielder Josh Lock joined Denbigh Town on loan from Cymru Premier champions The New Saints, in August 2023. A skilful youngster with a great reading of the game and the ability to play some key passes.

Midfielder Oliver Hanson Olly was with the Bala Academy with Dewi Llion as his manager and he has since played with Rhyl Fc and NFA FC. S ll only 18, he scored for us in a friendly but shortly a erwards broke his ankle, so he’ll be out for a few weeks yet. A talented youngster and we look forward to ge ng home back to full fitness.

Midfielder - Keiron Roberts - Keiron is a quality central midfielder who joined us in August 2020 from Greenfield. He has also played for Rhydymwyn when they were in the Cymru Alliance. A tenacious midfielder who has settled in well, he has a lot of quality on the ball.

Midfielder - Paul Fleming - Captain - Paul joined us from St Asaph FC in 2019 where he has been for a few seasons. He is an energetic midfield player who gives us a physical presence in both penalty boxes. The 34 year old also has a knack of scoring important goals and is a strong addition to the squad. He was awarded the Players Player of the season award for 2019/20. Sets a great example to our youngsters with the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch.

Player Profiles

Midfielder - Owen Davies Young midfielder Owen Davies joined Denbigh Town on loan from The New Saints in January 2024. Davies began playing on the North Wales coast before signing for Colwyn Bay as a youngster. He had trials with Everton before signing for TNS, penning a professional contract with the club in the summer of 2023. In January 2024 he signed for Denbigh Town on loan for the remainder of 2023/24.

Midfielder - Dion Gibbins - Originally with Shrewsbury and also with Bala Town. Joins us from Cefn Albion. The 24 year old is a very strong midfielder and he has come straight into the first team.

Striker - Owen Herbert - Young Striker who has impressed with the reserve team and has warranted his call up to the first team squad.

Striker - Rhys Lloyd - Rhys has been with our juniors and is in his first season of senior football. 17 Year old has come on and made several appearances up front for the first team.

Striker - Nathan Brown Right winger 23 year old Nathan will bring pace and quality to our team aswell as having a great delivery from set pieces . He joins us from Airbus UK and prior to that he was with Flint Town Utd and Chester City.

Striker Matthew Worrall Matty joins us for the second time as he was part of our 2017/18 team where he was the scorer of some vital goals. A proven goal scorer, he then moved onto Rhyl, Gresford and lastly Llay Welfare before re- joining us in Jan 2023.

Brief History

Denbigh Town Football Club was formed in 1880 and has remained one of the most popular and highly respected Clubs in North Wales ever since. One of the Club’s finest achievements came in 1924 when they won both the Welsh Amateur Cup and the North Wales Coast Amateur Cup.

A number of minor successes ensued in the subsequent decades until the Club hit a purple patch in the 1970s when they won the Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) Division One Championship four times and the League Cup on five occasions. Town also landed the North Wales Amateur Cup in 1970 and the North Wales Amateur Cup in 1972. The manager through most of this golden period was John Trevor Roberts who remains one of Denbigh Town’s most legendary figures.

After the Club left the Wrexham Area League at the turn of the 1980s and joined the Clwyd League many trophy less years followed. The sleeping giant did not awaken until the 1991/1992 season when Liverpudlian duo Bill Dawson and Rook Cook-Hannah took over the reins at the Club.

In their first season the Club won promotion to the Premier Division, but the biggest highlight was an unforgettable 1-0 North Wales Challenge Cup Victory over the 4th placed HFS Loans League semiprofessionals of Caernarfon Town before an ecstatic crowd at Central Park.

After two seasons in the Clwyd Premier, the Club was promoted to the Fitlock Welsh Alliance League in 1994/95. After finishing 4th in their first season Denbigh Town followed up in style by landing the League Championship and Cookson Cup double, the Club’s finest achievement for almost 20 years. The Club joined the Cymru Alliance in 1996/97 and enjoyed several good seasons at that level.

Denbigh joined the Welsh Alliance Leagie for 2002/2003 and finished 3rd, reached the semi-final of the Barritt Cup and won the Alves Cup with Roy Cook-Hannah at the helm. Cook- Hannah resigned in December 2003 and Clwyd Williams & Nick Hailes were installed as joint-managers. The team finished the season in 12th position.

In May 2004 Tim Dyer was appointed manager and in 2005/2006 he guided the team to the Barritt Cup and Cookson Cup double, runners up in the Welsh Alliance League and also finalists in the North Wales Coast FA Challenge Cup. The Club also won the Welsh Alliance Fair Play League for 2005/2006 & 2006/2007. In 2007 Denbigh Town were crowned Welsh Alliance League Champions and Cookson Cup winners.

After Tim Dyer stepped down at the end of the 2008/2009 season Steve Jones was appointed manager with Dean Martin as his assistant. Under the new regime the team finished 10th in the 2009/2010 Cymru Alliance League. Unfortunately, due to the Welsh Premier Super 12, six clubs were relegated from the Welsh Premier and the 3 feeder leagues all promoted a club to the Cymru Alliance. This meant only the top 7 survived in the Cymru Alliance and so Denbigh Town were relegated to the Welsh Alliance League. Jones and his assistant Martin resigned in May 2010.

John James and Andy Lewis were appointed manager and coach for the 2010/2011 season.

Despite relegation the Club started ground development with hard standing area placed all around the perimeter of the ground and floodlights were installed in April 2012.

In 2012/2013 ex-player and captain Richard Williams- Cooke was appointed manager. In his first season Cookie took the club to runners up position in the Welsh Alliance League. The following season the Club won the league, remaining unbeaten throughout the whole league campaign and also won the Mawddach Cup. The Club were promoted to the Cymru Alliance – the Tier 2 level of Welsh football

Cookie resigned in June 2014 due to work and family commitments. A joint management team of Dave Taylor and Terry Ingram were appointed in his place, but they parted company with club a few months later. In September 2014 the Club appointed Elfed Lloyd and 1st team Captain Max Peate as caretaker managers for the rest of that season.

Gareth Thomas (Perry) was appointed manager on 21st May 2015, and he led the Club to 3rd position in the Cymru Alliance in season 2015/2016. In the same season Perry also took the Club to the Word Cup Final losing 2-0 to treble winners The New Saints (TNS).

However, in November 2016 the Club parted company with Perry and Eddie Maurice Jones was appointed manager

Maurice-Jones took the Club to its highest ever finish in the Cymru Alliance – that of 2nd in the season 2017/2018. However, at the end of that season Maurice-Jones moved to become manager of Rhyl and many of the players followed him.

New joint managers Dewi Llion Jones & Matty Jones had the task of forming a team with new players with only a few weeks left before the start of the season. Despite a valiant effort by the managers and their new team the Club fell into the relegation zone on the last day of the season 2018/2019 and were relegated to the Welsh Alliance.

Matty Jones left the joint managership role in April 2019 and Dewi Llion Jones was appointed sole manager for the season 2019/2020. He appointed former Town player Owain Roberts as his coach. A strong season followed but the Covid 19 pandemic meant the season was cut short and Denbigh were appointed runners up in the league to Holyhead Hotspurs.

The Welsh Alliance League finished in 2019/2020 and Denbigh Town were placed in the new Lock Stock Ardal North West League for the season 2021/22.

The club narrowly missed out on the promotion spots in the season 2021/2022 finishing third.

History

The history of the present-day Gresford Athletic stretches back to 1946, although it is known that the club existed in the 1920s.

Gresford Athletic won the Welsh National League East Division in the 1946/47 season. The next time the club won a league trophy was in 1962/63, when they won the Welsh National League Division Two. In 1969, Division Three was split into two sections, A and B, with Gresford Athletic Reserves winning the Welsh National League Division Three A title.

The club remained in the Welsh National League until the introduction of the Cymru Alliance in the 1990/91 season, when they became one of the founder members of the league. They remained in the Cymru Alliance for four seasons before being relegated back to the Welsh National League in 1994. During this four-year period, they reached the Cymru Alliance League Cup final, losing to a very strong Rhyl side.

Promotion was achieved in the 2000/01 season when they were once again champions of the Welsh National League Premier and, with the finances in place, the club’s Committee managed to upgrade the club's home ground, Clappers Lane, to Cymru Alliance standards. In the same season, they were also beaten in the FAW Trophy final.

Alan Jones, nicknamed Sammy, left his role as First Team Manager of Gresford Athletic in 2008, after over 20 years of being at the club, earning seven trophies and cementing his legendary status within the club. He was replaced by Sam Ainge, who was promoted from Gresford Athletic Reserves.

Upon the re-structure of football in Wales, they re-entered the Welsh National League Premier in the 2010/11 season following nine seasons in the Cymru Alliance. This proved to be a difficult season for the club, with them finishing in the bottom four. However, the following three seasons saw them steadily move up the league table. The summer of 2014 saw a new management team and committee introduced at the club, which brought in a number of new players in and the emphasis both on and off the pitch being on achieving promotion to the Cymru Alliance. Eddie Maurice-Jones was appointed as First Team Manager and Julian Davies became the club’s Chairman, replacing Rob Ratcliffe.

A 24-match unbeaten run saw Gresford Athletic maintain a control on the league, whilst also seeing a successful run in the Welsh Cup, Welsh Trophy and Welsh National League Premier Cup competitions and it was January before they finally lost a game. However, the Welsh National League Premier title was not clinched until the final game of the season, by which time the work had been completed behind the scenes, with promotion to the Cymru Alliance having already been confirmed.

The 2015/16 season saw Gresford Athletic claim their highest ever finish in the second tier of Welsh football, when they finished the season in sixth place.

In the 2016/17 season, Gresford Athletic Reserves Manager Steve Halliwell was appointed as First Team Manager, following the departure of Eddie Maurice-Jones to Denbigh Town. He led the club to win the NEWFA Challenge Cup for the third time in their history. The final was played against Queens Park, with Gresford Athletic deservedly winning 3-2 at full time.

Two seasons later, Gresford Athletic then went onto be runners up in the NEWFA Challenge Cup, losing 4-1 to Cefn Druids in the 2018/19 final.

Ahead of the formation of the new Cymru North for the 2019/20 season, replacing the previous Cymru Alliance, Gresford Athletic underwent a restructure on the coaching staff. The club appointed their first ever Director of Football in Steve Halliwell, leaving his role as First Team Manager, within the new-look coaching staff. Richard Capper was appointed First Team Manager.

Gresford Athletic finished 11th in the first season of the Cymru North, which was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and have been members of the Cymru North from the 2020/21 season onwards.

Eddie Maurice-Jones returned to the club for his second spell as First Team Manager in June 2020, with former Gresford Athletic goalkeeper Jonathan Hill-Dunt joining him as First Team Assistant Manager in 2021.

The 2022/23 season saw a big change for the Gresford Athletic First Team, as they agreed a multi-year deal to see the team move from Clappers Lane to The Rock, groundsharing with Cefn Druids. The move came due to the increasing Tier 2 criteria from the Football Assoiciation of Wales, meaning that Clappers Lane would prove difficult to be up to the minimum standard to host games in the Cymru North and could result in a rejection of the club’s Tier 2 license for the 2023/24 season. Despite the move, the club’s Reserves remained at Clappers Lane, keeping the club’s feet within the village of Gresford.

The final Gresford Athletic First Team home game played at Clappers Lane was a 1-0 win against Ruthin Town in February 2023, with their first home game played at The Rock coming in March 2023, when they drew 1-1 with Prestatyn Town.

SQUAD LIST

Aaron Jones

Jimmy McHarrie

Ben Lockley

Harry Lockley

Billy Holmes

Kristian Pierce

Dan Parry-Jones

Morgan Thomas-Sadler

Kyle Cooper

Sion Jones

Keiron Roberts

Dion Gibbins

Olly Hansen

Josh Lock

Paul Fleming

Owen Herbert

Nathan Brown

Owen Davies

Rhys Lloyd

Matthew Worrall

Max Cooke

Manager –

Dewi Llion Jones

Coach – Matthew Jones

Coach - Brett Jones

SQUAD LIST

Lewis Dutton

James Smith

Nathan Williams ( Vice Capt)

Adam Hesp

Paul Johnson

Joshua Griffiths ( Capt)

Simon Smith

Harvey Ellis

Dominic Deacon

Joe Chaplin

Charley Edge

Charlie Mann

Jordan Pownall

Callum Mannion

Alex Buxton

Sam Spridgeon

Leon Bennett

Jack Roberts

Toby Gallagher-Keenan

Tom Killilea

Haci Ozlu

Louis Parr

Jack Robinson

Management Team

Manager – Eddie Maurice-Jones

Asst Manager – Jonathan Hill-Dunt

Coach – David Owen Jones

First Aider – Levi Challoner