Transfer news hots up
LATE June is upon us and the transfer market across North Wales football has been redhot. Here are six of the best covering the Herald area.
● 1 Joe Chaplin (Llandudno to Porthmadog)
Proven goal-getter who played for Llandudno at under-16 level and was promoted to the first team squad without making an appearances due to an ankle break.
Went on to play for Cardiff Met University as they won back-to-back promotions from Welsh League Division Three to Division One, returning home after completing his degree to play for Glan Conwy and Conwy Borough.
Chaplin rejoined Llandudno in January 2017, but he returned to Conwy months later before joining Porthmadog. ● 2 Ryan Williams (Wrexham to Caernarfon Town)
Local lad Williams is Caernarfon’s fourth pre-season signing, following Mark Griffiths, Gareth Evans and Rhys Roberts to The Oval.
A versatile player who can play anywhere across the back or in midfield, Williams was unlucky with injuries at Wrexham. With better luck he could have made a first-team breakthrough. ● 3 Kevin Lloyd (Caernarfon Town to Conwy Borough)
Another major coup for Conwy is the capture of experienced forward Lloyd, who joins from Caernarfon Town.
Borough manager Gareth Thomas said: “Kev is massive signing for the club, he will bring in a touch of experience into the front line and can play anywhere across the forward line.
“I have seen Kev on many occasions through the years and he is a no-nonsense player who gives his all for the team.
“He is strong in the air and scores goals, I am also really looking forward to working with him.”
Lloyd has played in the Welsh Premier for Caernarfon Town, Llangefni Town and Bangor City and was man of the match when Llanrug United won the FAW Trophy in 2014.
● 4 Mark Griffiths (Caersws to Caernarfon Town)
Caernarfon will be going all out to win the Huws Gray Alliance title this season and the signing of striker Grif- fiths will certainly help.
A proven goal-getter in the HGA with Caersws, Griffiths has also played for Newtown in the Welsh Premier.
Caernarfon manager Iwan Williams said: “Mark for me is up there as one of the best strikers in the league.”
● 5 Gareth Evans (Llandudno to Caernarfon Town)
Classy midfielder who returned to Llandudno from Colwyn Bay in 2014/15 and played a major role in the Seasiders’ Huws Gray Alliance title-winning season.
Scored Tudno’s first-ever goal in the Welsh Premier but the past two seasons have been on the whole stopstart for Evans due to injuries.
● 6 Rhys Roberts (Holyhead Hotspur to Caernarfon Town)
Experienced defender who has made almost 150 Welsh Premier appearances during stays with Porthmadog and Airbus UK Broughton.
Was captain at Holyhead Hotspur in the Huws Gray Alliance before agreeing to join Caernarfon.