Bangor Mail

10 more top signings of the summer so far

Following last week’s selection, here are some more prize captures

- JAMIE ROBERTS (Holyhead Hotspur to Glantraeth) KEVIN LLOYD (Caernarfon Town to Llanrug United) NATHAN PEATE (Gresford Athletic to Llandudno) ALED REECE (FC Nomads to Denbigh Town) GARY O’TOOLE (Flint Town United) DAMIAN KETLEY (Holyhead Hotspur to Prestat

Aged only 18, Roberts made a great impression for Holyhead Hotspur in the Huws Gray Alliance last season and is expected to shine again with Glantraeth in Welsh Alliance Division One.

A midfielder with natural talent in abundance and a proven goalscorer, Malltraeth lad Roberts began with Glantraeth Juniors and has represente­d Wales at youth and college level. He was also with the Gap Connah’s Quay Academy for three years.

Glantraeth chairman Gareth Evans says: “He has been so involved with the club and the players for several years and a great supporter, and it is brilliant he has now decided to sign for us.”

Lloyd has returned to the club where he became a cult hero in 2013/14 when his two goals helped Llanrug United beat Chirk AAA in the FAW Trophy Final.

Last season saw the striker form part of a Caernarfon Town squad which landed the Huws Gray Alliance League title and cup double.

He has decided to rejoin ‘Rug due to changing work demands restrictin­g the level of commitment he could give to the Canaries.

Centre-back Peate has excelled at Huws Gray Alliance level for Gresford, Flint Town United and Denbigh Town, but now comes a new challenge at Welsh Premier outfit Llandudno.

The 24-year-old came on as a second-half substitute for Tudno in the Europa League against IFK Göteborg in the home leg at Bangor and looked really impressive.

Peate will add to the keen competitio­n for places in the CRAIG ROBERTS (Glantraeth to Llangefni Town)

Llangefni will be looking for plenty of goals this season as they aim to win promotion, and in Roberts they have signed one of the most dependable strikers at Welsh Alliance level.

Roberts joins Cefni from neighbours Glantraeth, where he was top marksman in 2014/15.

He was also a member of the Glantraeth squad that won the Cymru Alliance League and Cup double in 2006.

The 33-year-old has played in the Welsh Premier League for Bangor City, featured in the Huws Gray Alliance for Porthmadog and won Welsh Alliance honours at

Bethesda Athletic.

Young forward Reece joins Denbigh Town from FC Nomads, who he helped win the Welsh National League Premier Division title last season, scoring more than 40 goals.

Reece emerged through the Gap Connah’s Quay academy. A prolific marksman, he deserves the chance to play at Huws Gray Alliance level.

While O’Toole has a decent past goalscorin­g record in the Welsh Premier League, his finest achievemen­ts have come in the Huws Gray Alliance.

In both 2011 and 2012, the 29-year-old striker won the HGA Golden Boot while at Gap Connah’s Quay.

Flint will be hoping O’Toole produces the magic for them this season.

Silkmen manager Aden Shannon said: “Gary is a real fox-in-the-box type of goalscorer, something we sorely missed last season.

“Kyle Smyth did fantastica­lly well in his first season with us, but we were lacking a strike partner for him who could also chip in with a decent number of goals.

“So I’m delighted we’ve landed Gary, who has a tremendous ability to sniff out any half chances in and around the box.”

Ketley, 24, was Hotspur’s top scorer in the Huws Gray Alliance last season with 10 goals, two of those coming in a 4-2 victory over Prestatyn.

The talented front-man was previously with Colwyn Bay, where he shone for the reserves and reached the first-team squad, and Mold Alexandra.

Prestatyn manager Neil Gibson said: “I’m pleased to have signed Damian as he is someone we have been looking at for a while now.

“He did well in the Huws Gray Alliance last season and will add some competitio­n to our striking options. He will give us that little something different that we have not currently got.” Signing someone of ‘Johnno’s’ stature will only add to Caernarfon’s already considerab­le defensive strength this season.

After winning three Welsh Cups and a Welsh Premier League title with Bangor City, the 28-year-old was part of the Llandudno squad which reached Europe at the end of their first WPL season last term.

In search of more regular first-team football, he has joined a Canaries outfit hellbent on lifting the Huws Gray Alliance crown again and gaining promotion to the top-flight.

It may take a while to get used to spelling his surname, but this young centre-back looks to have the class to settle into Bangor’s first team pretty quickly.

After an impressive debut in the pre-season 1-1 draw with Wrexham, City boss Neville Powell moved quickly to sign the Manchester-based talent.

Last season he helped Irlam secure promotion to the North West Counties Premier Division as runners-up in the Division One. He was awarded the accolade of NWCFL Division One Player of the Season for 2015/16 and was given a trial by Crewe Alexandra.

 ??  ?? Craig Roberts (main) and (top to bottom) Jacques Kpohomouh, Michael Johnston and Gary O’Toole
Craig Roberts (main) and (top to bottom) Jacques Kpohomouh, Michael Johnston and Gary O’Toole
 ??  ?? Damian Ketley
Damian Ketley

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