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 - 1991/92
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
TODAY’S OFFICIALS
JAMES WALKER
KATIE HANNAH
LUKE ALLSOP
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
WWW DENBIGHTOWNFC CO UK
FACEBOOK COM/DENBIGHTOWNFOOTBALLCLUB
TWITTER: @DENBIGHTOWNFC
INSTAGRAM: @DENBIGHTOWNFOOTBALLCLUB
TIKTOK: @DENBIGHTOWNFC
#DTFC
CONTACT
GENERAL: INFO@DENBIGHTOWNFC CO UK
PRESS/MEDIA: DENBIGHMEDIA@GMAIL.COM
SECRETARY: NEALLALI@HOTMAIL CO UK
PHOTOGRAPHY
ROY GUNTHER
STEPHEN WHITFIELD
LISI JONES
HONOURY MEMBERS
ROBERT GRIFFITHS - LIFE PRESIDENT
EMYR LLOYD - LIFE VICE PRESIDENT
GLYN JONES - LIFE MEMBER
MANAGEMENT
DEWI LLION JONES - FIRST TEAM MANAGER
MATTHEW JONES - ASSISTANT MANAGER
SIMON ROBERTS - FIRST TEAM COACH
LUKE WILMOT - GOALKEEPER COACH
LIAM NASH - RESERVES MANAGER
RICH MORRIS - RESERVES ASSISTANT
SION JONES - RESERVES ASSISTANT
ALAN GRIFFITHS - RESERVES COACH
ALED DAVIES - LADIES MANAGER
CARLA RIZZI - LADIES ASSISTANT
THE CHAIRMAN
Welcome to Central Park this afternoon’s match in the JD Cymru North game against Holywell Town. I trust you’ve all had a great Christmas and are looking forward to 2025.
I’d like to extend a warm Denbigh welcome to all the Holywell players, coaching team, Committee and supporters
It was unfortunate that we had to call off the New Year’s Day fixture due here against Flint Mountain. The pitch was fine on New Year’s Eve , but that torrential storm over night meant that the pitch was waterlogged in many parts of the pitch We took the precaution of arranging a pitch inspection for the morning of New Year’s Day when a local referee visited us to declare the pitch unplayable.
On Boxing Day last week, we had 1,046 spectators here for our local derby against Ruthin What a tremendous attendance and I’d like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone one of you who attended as it made for a great occasion It was a great local social event as friends and family met up at the game and I felt the 2-2 draw was a fair result in the end It is so important to the area that both Clubs maintain their status in the JD Cymru North and from this point of view we hope to see both Clubs go up the Table to safety in the weeks and months ahead.
The attendance was the highest in Welsh Football that day and it is testament to the quality of football in the JD Cymru North and the wise decision of the League’s fixture secretary to have local derbies across the League that day The Bangor 1876 v Colwyn Bay attracted an attendance 1,005 and it was noticeable that both these games in our League easily surpassed the Cymru Premier’s highest attendance of 747 at the Caernarfon v TNS game.
We had a superb turnout of additional volunteers who stepped forward to offer their help on the Boxing Day game and without them the day would not have been half as enjoyable for our usual volunteers who are at each game. The bar and kitchen were extremely busy throughout the afternoon. We knew from last season’s game that we needed somehow to create more space to serve drink and food So, the erection of a marquee to act as an outside bar area worked well, although we were fortunate in that it was a beautiful winter’s day with blue skies throughout the game.
As we move into 2025 it is going to be an exciting time for the Club with our new community building due to be completed by the end of June. The blockwork is now in progress, and it will be great to see the building sealed over the next month or so The new facility will be an excellent building not just for our football club but also for the local community as our function room will be able to be used for a variety of uses such as evening & day classes and functions such as birthday and christening parties. Please bear us in mind if you are aware of people who may be interested in our helping them in this way.
Today, our lads have a tough match against last year’s champions Holywell Town who are currently third in the League. I know Dewi, his management team and squad are extremely grateful to you for all the support you give the team both here at Central Park and on their travels Thank you for that It really is appreciated
In the meantime, I’d like to wish you all a Happy and prosperous New Year
Enjoy the game
THE GAFFER
Blwyddyn Newydd I chi gyd. Happy New Year to you all.
Welcome back to Central Park for this afternoon’s JD Cymru North game against Holywell Town. The wet weather on New Year’s Day meant that our game against Flint Mountain was called off. We trained well on Monday night and were geared up for the game so the lads were disappointed that the game couldn’t be played. Nevertheless, we must expect that games will be called off at this time of year due to the weather
It was brilliant to see such a large crowd here at Central Park last week for our Boxing Day derby. The lads all thoroughly enjoyed playing in front of so many people and there was a great friendly atmosphere around the ground. It’s what following football should all be about.
I felt it was a game we should have won after taking a two goal second half lead. Sam Duffy’s great powerful volley was a moment to savour, and this was followed shortly after by Nathan Brown’s well placed strike from the edge of the penalty area after good work down the wing by Sam However, we then allowed Ruthin to come into the game which we should have controlled better.
We sat back and were too deep in our half, allowing Ruthin to press more and more and put pressure on Aaron Jones’ goal I said in last week’s programme notes how I believed Aaron is the best keeper in the League and he pulled off four brilliant saves during the game. He made two first class ones in the good spell Ruthin had in the last quarter of the game for which we were grateful.
Even so, to lose a two goal lead in the last fifteen minutes is another lesson we must learn from as we go into the second half of the season
The transfer window opened on New Year’s Day and we’ve already made two key signings. Kyle Cooper returns to the Club He was with us last season but took an injury early into his stint with us and was out for a while. He then had work commitments which meant he couldn’t commit to the squad and so moved over to Penmaenmawr Phoenix We’d seen his ability though and kept in touch and we’re so pleased to get him back into the squad as he’s a strong defender.
Elijah Beattie is a promising young keeper who we are seeing as a deputy to Aaron He’s got an impressive CV having played in the Cymru Premier with Flint Town Utd aswell as Rhyl, St Asaph, Meliden & Kinmel Bay We see him as good fit into the squad
Further signings will happen over the next few weeks and our social media outlets will keep you updated
When we played at Holywell in September, we took an early lead and then defended well throughout a Holywell onslaught before adding a last minute goal to double our lead. A result like that will go down well tonight but we are under no illusions as it will be a hard game and Holywell will want revenge for our win at their place. We know Holywell will be tough opponents as they fully warrant their third placed league standing.
POINTS SHARED IN THE VALE OF CLWYD DERBY
Denbigh Town were denied bragging rights in the Vale of Clwyd Derby with a late leveller as the biggest attendance in Wales packed in to Central Park.
Town led by two goals in the second half after strikes from Sam Duffy and Nathan Brown but two in the late stages including a 93rd minute effort saw the points shared
Dewi Llion made two changes to the side with Aaron Jones returning to the XI along with Sion Jones who picked up a knock two weeks before.
The first chance of a scrappy contest came on 16 minutes when Iwan Roberts did well to turn on the edge of the box and fire towards goal, but his effort ran wide With limited glimpses at goal in the first half Denbigh just about edged it when it came to creating anything of substance With 25 gone Brown’s corner met the head of Ben Lockley but his effort glanced wide
Brown’s corners caused problems as it connected again with Lockley just after the half hour mark but again the target wasn’t met. Town were in fairness getting balls into the box, Max Cooke’s delivery from the left was dangerous but Owen Davies couldn’t steer it towards goal
A moment after Davies’ chance came the best of the game so far when Brown was set through one on one, with only the keeper to beat a brilliant recovery from a defender saw a last ditch effort thwart any shot
The closest Denbigh came was on 40 minutes when another Brown corner this time met the head of Alfie Vaughan, his header crashed off the underside of the bar before being scrambled clear. Vaughan remained down after landing and was forced off early, being replaced by Calum Butler
Whilst it remained goalless at the break it didn’t last for very long With 48 minutes on the clock a corner from Brown met Duffy whose first time volley was smashed right down the middle to give Denbigh the lead in style.
Ruthin now had to fight back and tested Aaron Jones for the first time with a low effort from Llyr Morris on the edge of the box that was comfortably dealt with. ‘Keeper Jones was now being called upon far more regularly and with 56 minutes gone had to be on hand to deny Harry Martin low at his near post From the resulting corner Town cleared their lines before a long ball found Morris who before meeting the ball to pull the trigger was able to smother the ball well
Denbigh needed a cushion and it came on 63 minutes when Brown found the net with a deft touch. Duffy turned provider with an excellent run down the right before his low cross met the foot of Brown to turn it in for a second.
Now the visitors had to get into gear and in the final fifteen minutes peppered the Denbigh box A free-kick hit the Town wall from 25-yards before a rebound deflated goalwards only for Jones to make an outrageous stop From the resulting corner the ball wasn’t cleared before Jones again made a brilliant save to keep it at 2-0
However, with 13 minutes to play Ruthin did have one back Town fell asleep at the back before a ball was pulled across the face of goal and Morris was on hand to tape home
Morris, an old haunt of Denbigh’s for years was on the hunt for his second and on 87 minutes almost had a leveller when his one on one was matched by Aaron Jones
However, Denbigh faltered in the third minute of stoppage time when a cross from substitute Josh Evans flew across the box and crept into the back of the net to level things up.
Both sides battled for the fifth goal of the game but it never came, and each had to be happy with sharing a point for the first time since 2016
Denbigh Town: A Jones, Williams, Cooke, Lockley, Vaughan, K Roberts, S Jones, Brown, I Roberts, Duffy, Davies
Subs: Wilmot, Stark, I Jones, Butler, Fricker, Salisbury, Kanli
Referee: Richard Wright
Attendance: 1,046
POTM: Aaron Jones
TOP 5 GAMES OF 2024
As we welcome in 2025 it’s time to take one last look at some of the best bits from Denbigh Town’s 2024.
Denbigh Town 7-1 Llanuwchllyn (JD Welsh Cup - 14/12/24)
Denbigh Town cruised through to the JD Welsh Cup Quarter-Final for the first time in club history with a magnificent seven against Llanuwchllyn. Hatricks from Owen Davies and Nathan Brown as well as a late Iwan Roberts penalty secured a huge victory.
Denbigh
Town
4-1 Llandudno
(JD Cymru North - 12/01/2024)
With just one win in their previous four games Denbigh needed to kick start their 2024 and did so in style at home to Llandudno. After going a goal down early, Town rallied to hit four without reply through Paul Fleming, Matthew Worrall and Nathan Brown brace to land their first win of the calendar year
Holywell
Town 0-2 Denbigh Town (JD Cymru North - 28/09/24)
Town had to wait two months for their first away win of the campaign and it came at the league champions Owen Davies grabbed the first after less than a minute before at the other end of the match Sam Duffy finished brilliantly to ensure a huge three points for Dewi Llion’s men.
Llanidloes
Town
0-7 Denbigh
Town (JD Cymru North - 06/04/24)
Town equaled their record winning margin in the second tier back in April when hitting seven against relegated Llanidloes. It was the first time since October 1996 that Town won by that margin in the second tier, with the last opposition also being Llanidloes Goals from Paul Fleming, Nathan Brown (brace), Owen Davies (hatrick) and Billy Holmes - scoring his second goal for the club exactly three years to the day since his first - secured the win.
Bangor 1876 3-4 Denbigh Town (JD Cymru North
- 11/10/24)
A dramatic late winner between two sides who’ve had plenty of competition in the last two years. Town took an early two goal lead via Nathan Brown and Owen Davies before being pegged back Paul Fleming restored the lead before another equaliser and in stoppage time Harrison Bellis turned the ball home to win it at the death. It was Denbigh’s first ever win over Bangor at Nantporth.
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
THE OPPOSITION
HOLYWELL TOWN
Ground: Halkyn Road
Capacity: 2,000
Nickname: The Wellmen
Founded: 1880
2023/24: 1st
Manager: Johnny Haseldin
Holywell’s first club was initially formed in 1880 before the current iteration was established 66 years later.
In 1946, former soldiers who had been demobilised and returned home from fighting in World War II established the club at Halkyn Road, where it has played its home games ever since It was also around this period that the moniker of The Wellmen was adopted by the club, a nickname which the club still uses to this day
After cup successes further achievements came to Holywell when they joined the Welsh League (North) in the 1949–50 season In the 1952–53 season when Holywell Town became the Welsh League (North) champions for the first and only time Holywell Town maintained their membership of the Welsh League (North) for 17 consecutive seasons from the 1949–50 season until the 1965–66 season, when they finished bottom of the league and just one point behind 14th-placed side Blaenau Ffestiniog Thereafter, Holywell Town left the Welsh League (North) and played in the local football leagues
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Holywell played in the local football league system, most notably in the Clwyd League
in the 1986–87 season, the club finally earned some silverware when they won the Clwyd League Premier Division title as well as triumphing in the North Wales Coast Challenge Cup to earn a league and cup double The club continued to earn silverware during that period when they successfully defended their Clwyd League Premier Division title in the following season, winning it for the second time in a row
Holywell Town were selected to become founder members of the Cymru Alliance In spite of Holywell's lowly league placements, they left the Cymru Alliance to ascend to become one of the founding members of the newly created national league - the League of Wales - for the 1992–93 season
Under the management of Glyn Griffiths, aided by the 17 league goals from Ian Howat, and possessing the joint-third best defence in the league with just 48 goals conceded, the club finished the first LoW season in 6th position This made Holywell the best-performing founding member to originate from the Cymru Alliance but were relegated two years later They were promoted back to the top flight a year later but would return to the Cymru Alliance after a season Although they saw an improvement to fortunes under the guidance of Andy Nicholls during the 2004–05 season, by finishing in 9th position, they were eventually relegated to the Welsh Alliance League in the following season when they finished 17th in the league, nine points adrift of safety, and with only their local rival Halkyn United below them Holywell won their first piece of silverware in thirteen years, by beating Conwy United 3–2 in the FAW Trophy at the neutral venue of Belle Vue, Rhyl For the start of the 2012–13 season, Mike Thomas was replaced as Holywell manager by their club captain, Johnny Haseldin, who adopted a player-manager role After nine years of competing in the Welsh Alliance League, the 2014–15 season became Holywell's time to shine when they finally clinched the Division 1 title As well as claiming the Welsh Alliance League title, Holywell Town also earned themselves further silverware when they won the FAW Trophy and Mawddach Cup The club would drop back into the third tier in 2019 Despite agonisingly suffering relegation from the Cymru Alliance, Holywell Town's hiatus from the second tier would only last a season They managed to clinch the WNL Premier title and gain promotion back to the now-named Cymru North, albeit on a superior points-per-game (PPG) ratio after the Welsh football season was halted and concluded due to the COVID-19 pandemic In their first season back in the Cymru North, Holywell Town finished the 2021-22 campaign in fourth position The 2022–23 season proved to be even more successful for Holywell as the club achieved a second-place finish in the league, their best league performance in the Welsh football pyramid since their last appearance in the League of Wales in the 1998-99 season A year later the Wellmen secured the Cymru North league title
PLAYERS
Jamie Breese Jake Roberts
Beau Cornish Danny Sullivan
THE SQUAD DENBIGH TOWN
SQUAD
ALFIEVAUGHAN
WE’VE MET BEFORE
Denbigh Town and Holywell Town have competed against one another a fair few times in the past Here we look back at our first meeting of this campaign and the last clash we had at Central Park
Holywell Town 0-2 Denbigh Town (JD Cymru North28/09/2024)
Denbigh Town’s first away win of the season came at the end of September at Holywell.
Town beat the league leaders with a superb performance resulting in three points on the road Owen Davies opened the scoring within the first minute
Davies almost doubled the advantage a few times whilst Iwan Roberts had an effort tipped over Eventually Sam Duffy in stoppage time secured the points with a terrific finish to kick start the campaign well and truly.
Denbigh Town: A Jones, Williams, B Lockley, Cooke, S Jones, I Roberts, K Roberts, Brown, Butler, Vaughan, Davies
Subs: Stark, Holmes, H Lockley, Parry-Jones, Fleming, Duffy, Bellis
Attendance: Unknown
Denbigh Town 1-5 Holywell Town (JD Cymru North18/08/2023)
Denbigh were given a wake-up call when it came to life in the JD Cymru North in a 5-1 thumping last time Holywell came to Town.
Jason Foulkes was sent off within two minutes resulting in Denbigh playing more than 90 minutes with ten men Denbigh went into the break 3-0 down before a further two second half goals saw Holywell romp home comfortably Jake Walker grabbed a consolation four minutes before stoppage time but Town now knew the standard to compete at the top end of the division.
Denbigh Town: A Jones, S Jones, H Lockley, B Lockley, ParryJones, Kershaw, Fleming, Brown, Pritchard, Foulkes, Weir
Subs: Rogers, Hansen, Clarke, Walker, Herbert
Attendance: 486
WELCOME BACK KYLE COOPER
Denbigh Town are delighted to confirm the signing of Kyle Cooper following a spell with Penmaenmawr Phoenix.
The 20-year old returns to the club after departing due to work commitments in the summer and becomes Dewi Llion’s first January signing.
Cooper initially signed for the club in January 2024 from Llandudno and totalled five appearances before his season was cut short due to injury. He has since moved on due to working away but made a series of appearances for Penmaenmawr upon his return.
In total Cooper featured eight times for Phoenix scoring twice and providing five assists.
“It’s great to be back here and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season” said Cooper
“I’ve spent some time with the new lads and been training ready to go from day one in January, I can’t wait to get going”.
“I’m really pleased to have Kyle back with us after some time away” said manager Dewi Llion.
“He’s shown his quality during his short time with us in 2024 and to have the chance to bring him back into the group is one we jumped at.
“He’s trained with us and integrated with the lads who he hasn’t played with and will be available to slot right in from January”
Welcome back, Coops!
1) Who opened the scoring for Denbigh in the Vale of Clwyd Derby last week?
2) Which former Town defender resigned for the club this week?
3) At what ground do today’s opponents play their home games?
4) Erling Haaland topped the 2023/24 Premier League goalscoring charts with 27; who came second?
5) Which soap pulled in more viewers on Christmas Day, EastEnders or Corrie?
6) Which EFL club are nicknamed the Chairboys?
7) What did Wales reluctantly win in March 2024?
8) Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 20 in 2024's Champions League final. How many times have they been European champions?
9) Who will host the 2026 Commonwealth games?
10) Which city do NFL team the Giants represent?
QUICK QUESTIONS MORGAN FRICKER
Who did you grow up supporting?
Liverpool
What was your first car?
Vauxhall Corsa
What film should everyone watch at least once?
Gladiator
Dream holiday destination
Last Vegas
If you could only listen to one artist, who would it be?
Zach Bryan
Best memory in a Denbigh Town shirt?
Reaching the JD Welsh Cup Quarter-Final
Best player you've played with or against?
Iwan Roberts
Best stadium you've played in?
Central Park
Player you'd be most ok with as your brother-inlaw?
Ianto Jones
Sum up Dewi Llion in one word?
Motivational
Caersws (A)
JD Cymru North Recreation Ground
11/01/25 14:00
Guilsfield (H)
JD Cymru North Central Park
17/01/24 19:45
Penrhyncoch (H)
JD Cymru North Central Park
25/01/24 14:00
