Pen Pics

Gregory Strong (Player Manager)

Weight: 13st 0lbs

Height: 6' 2"

DOB: 05/09/1975  

Nationality: English

Born: Bolton

Former Clubs: Droylsden, Bolton, Northwich Victoria, Halifax Town, Dundee FC, Livingston FC, Wigan Atheltic, Motherwell, Hull City, Cheltenham Town, Scunthorpe Town, Blackpool, Bury, Macclesfield Town.

Representative Honours: England School-boy and Youth International.

Joined Club: 22/07/2008

 

Greg Strong signed for Rhyl in July 2008 after a spell at Droylsden FC whom he joined in January 2008 from Northwich Victoria. The former England schoolboy and youth international, started his career with Wigan in 1992. He then moved to Bolton, but after failing to establish himself in the first team he moved north of the border to play for Motherwell. He returned to England in 2002 when he was signed up by Hull City and also had loan spells with Cheltenham Town, Scunthorpe United, Bury and Macclesfield Town before moving north again to sign for Livingston in 2005. He joined Dundee in August 2006 after being freed by Livingston but was released in late 2006. In March 2007, he was signed by Halifax and scored on his debut after just four minutes, but was released by the club at the end of the season, joining Northwich.

Gary Powell (Assistant Coach) Date of Birth: 2nd April 1969

Gary Powell has worn the colours of no fewer than 13 clubs during his illustrious playing career. With six of those teams from the football league. Gary has won a Championship medal with the lilywhites in 2003/04 and TNS. And has performed for Bangor City, Flint Town United and Conwy United in the Welsh Premier. Gary has played over 200 games for Rhyl FC and scored 45 goals, and at the start of the 2008/2009 season, it was announced that Gary would be assistant coach to Allan Bickerstaff following the departure of John Hulse' number two Paul Rowlands. Gary has not yet retired from playing, and has made the occasional sub appearance and despite his age, he remains one of the fittest players around the club.

GOAL KEEPERS

Name: James Coates (on-loan)

Weight: 12st 5lbs 

Height: 6' 0"

DOB: 22/02/1985

Nationality: English

Born: Manchester 

Former Clubs: Northwich Victoria, Vauxhall Motors,Mansfield Town, Moor Green, Altrincham, Leigh RMI, Worcester City,TNS. 

Joined club: 31/08/2009

Rhyl signed goalkeeper James Coates on the August transfer deadline day in 2009. The former Northwich Victoria 'keeper joined on loan until January and he will compete with Paul Pritchard for the Number 1 shirt at Belle Vue. He made his debut in the Loosemores Cup against Prestatyn Town on 1st September 2009 at Belle Vue. Coates joined Northwich from Vauxhall Motors in August and is a former Mansfield Town stopper who was on the bench for their 2002 play-off final at the Millennium Stadium against Huddersfield Town. Coates' other previous clubs include Moor Green, Altrincham, Leigh RMI and Worcester City. He has won caps for Wales at Under 17, Under 19 and Under 21 levels and in the 2004/05 season, Coates was a TNS player and was also involved with the Wales Under 21 squad, although he didn't make a League appearance for the Saints.

Name: Paul Pritchard

Weight: 11st 7lbs

Height: 5' 11"

DOB: 26/05/1984

Nationality: Welsh

Born: TBC

Former Clubs: Connahs Quay, Caernarfon Town, Holyhead Hotspur, Glantraeth, Llangefni Town, Llanfairpwll

Caps: Wales Semi Professional (1)

Representative Honours: Wales U.18, Represented Anglesey in World Island Games

Joined Club: 11/08/2008

Paul signed for the lilywhites in August 2008 from Connah's Quay Nomads, despite interest from Airbus UK, who would have guaranteed him first team football. Paul, who joined aged 24, has developed into one of the Welsh Premier's finest keepers in recent years despite playing in struggling sides. After spells at Anglesey clubs Holyhead Hotspur, Glantraeth, Llangefni Town and Llanfairpwll, Pritchard joined Caernarfon Town in 2004/05 and went on to make 68 appearances for the Canaries until he joined Connah's Quay Nomads last season. He went on to feature in 32 league matches for Nomads to bring his total League outings to 100 exactly. A former Wales Under-18 international, he has represented Anglesey in the World Island Games and earned a late call-up to the Welsh Semi-Professional squad in May 2008, featuring briefly in the Four Nations Tournament against Gibraltar at Rhyl.

DEFENDERS

Name: George Horan

Weight: 13st 8lbs

Height: 6' 1"

DOB: 18/02/1982

Nationality: English

Born: Chester

Former Clubs: Connah's Quay Nomads, Bangor City

Honours: Club Captain

Joined Club: 04/06/2005

 

George is a very experienced defender playing with Connah's Quay Nomads for many years. He usually wears the club Captains armband, and has proved to be a key signing by former manager John Hulse. During the summer of 2008 central defender George signed a new contract at Belle Vue securing his future after interest from fellow Welsh Premier outfit TNS was rebuffed by the player.

Name: Martyn Naylor

Weight: 11st 0lbs

Height: 5' 9"

DOB: 02/08/1977

Nationality: English

Born: Walsall

Former Clubs: Bilston, Greenock Morton, Telford, Shrewsbury, Hereford

Joined club: 06.06.09

Former TNS wing-back Martyn joined the lilywhites in the summer of 2009 after he was released by Blue Square North club AFC Telford. 31-year-old Martyn joined TNS in 2002/3 after playing for Bilston, Greenock Morton, Telford, Shrewsbury, Telford and Hereford and scored 13 goals from 101 Welsh Premier appearances over six seasons. He also made five starting appearances in European competitions including both legs of the 2005 ties against Liverpool, and scored from a free-kick in the Saints' 2-1 defeat away to Ventspils in Latvia. Released by TNS at the end of 2005/6, he returned for the new season on non-contract terms and spent two more years with the club, before being released again in April 2008, joining AFC Telford once again. But, after making 28 first team appearances he lost his place through injury and was released from the New Bucks Head at the end of the campaign.

Name: Shaun Dowling

Weight: 11st 5lbs 

Height: 5' 10"

DOB: 09/09/1990

Nationality: English

Born: Whiston, Merseyside

Former Clubs: Liverpool, Chester City

Shaun was new player/manager Greg Strong's first signing in the summer of 2009. Shaun was previously a YTS trainee at Chester City, but was released in the summer before appearing in the lilywhites pre-season. Versitile Shaun can play anywhere along defence or midfield. He was previously a trainee at Liverpool for two years and also represented Knowsley Schoolboys, Merseyside Schoolboys and the Liverpool County FA.

Shaun is a natural right footer but has a very good left and also boasts a secret weapon in his long throw-in.

Name: Phil Doran

Weight: 11st 5lbs

Height: 5' 8"

DOB: 30/11/1988

Nationality: English

Born: Liverpool

Former Clubs: Witton Albion, GAP Connahs Quay, Caernarfon Town, Wrexham, Blackpool.

Joined club: 31.08.09

Phil Doran was an August 2009 Transfer Deadline Day signing for Greg Strong at Rhyl from Witton Albion. The versatile left sided defender or midfielder has previous Welsh Premier League experience and played 26 games in 2008/09 for Gap Connah's Quay, as well as two appearances at Caernarfon Town. He is twin brother of Welshpool's Peter and played with his twin at both the Deeside Stadium and the Oval, where he started his League career. The Liverpudlian joined Caernarfon in August 2007 from Blackpool, having also be on trial at Wrexham and Barrow. He made his League and Cofis' debut in August 2007 against Port Talbot Town, when the Canaries won 3-1. He made his Nomads debut in a 2-1 defeat at home to Aberystwyth Town in August 2008, but had to wait for his Rhyl debut until mid September due to work commitments. New Manager Greg Strong decribed Doran as "a quality player who can play in a number of positions and will be a tremendous asset to the squad."

MIDFIELDERS

 

Name: Mark Connolly

Weight: 12st 6lbs

Height: 5' 8"

DOB: 02/07/1984

Nationality: English

Born: Liverpool

Former Clubs: Bangor City, TNS FC, Mallaby FC

Representative Honurs: British Universities Team

Joined Club: 04/06/2005

   

Another youngster that joined at the close season of 2004/2005, and another from Bangor City. Mark only made 7 appearances for Bangor in the Welsh Premier during 2003/04 but John Hulse was obviously impressed with him. Mark had a very successful season in 2007/08 scoring 7 league goals from midfield. Conno has also become the lilywhites free-kick specialist after scoring plenty of key goals in spectacular fashion from long range.

Mark signed a fresh contract for season 2008/09 after former Rhyl striker and Bradford Park Avenue manager Dave Cameron showed interest in taking the combative midfielder away from Belle Vue. Conno decided to stay and has become a firm favourite amongst the lilywhites fan base.

 

Name: Greg Stones

Weight: 13st 1lbs

Height: 6' 4"

DOB: 04/05/1982

Nationality: English

Born: Birkenhead

Former Clubs: TNS FC, Cammell Lairds FC, Stafford Rangers, Poulton Vics

Joined Club: 25/01/2005

 

John Hulse originally signed Stones back in 2004 from West Cheshire side Poulton Vics FC. He went on to play 58 games for the lilywhites scoring 5 goals. Greg can operate in central defence or midfield and his excellent displays for the lilywhites soon attracted the interest of TNS manager Ken McKenna. Stones secured a full time professional contract at TNS in season 2006 and went on to play 22 games scoring 4 goals for the current league champions. He left the New Saints at the end of 2006/7 for a trial with Crewe Alexandra, later signing for Stafford Rangers and then Cammell Laird, before a surprise return to Belle Vue in January transfer window.

Name: Gareth Owen

Weight: 11st 4lbs

Height: 5' 9"

DOB: 21/10/1971

Nationality: English

Born: Chester

Former Clubs: Airbus UK Broughton, Connah's Quay Nomads, Wrexham, Doncaster Rovers

Joined Club: 04/07/2008

Former Airbus UK Broughton player/manager signed in July 2008. Connah's Quay born and bred, Gareth joined Wrexham FC as a trainee, signing professional in July 1990. He spent 11 years as a professional at the Racecourse before being released at the end of the 2000/1 season, he then joined Doncaster Rovers. Gareht won eight Under-21 and one 'B' international caps for Wales and returned to his home town club in the summer of 2003 after helping Rovers back into the Football League. Appointed player/manager of Airbus UK in the 2005 close season.

Name: Luke Holden (Currently on-loan to Charlton Athletic)

Weight: 11st 1lbs

Height: -

DOB: 24/11/88

Nationality: English

Born: Liverpool

Former Clubs: Liverpool FC Youth and Tranmere Rovers FC Trainee, Cammel Lairds FC.

Joined Club: 05/01/2009

Luke joined the Lilywhites in the January Transfer Window in 2009 as Allan Bickerstaff looked to strengthen his title challenging squad. A left-sided forward/midfielder who was a Liverpool youth and Tranmere Rovers trainee, before impressing in pre-season games and signing for TNS in August 2007. Luke went on to play 32 games of TNS, scoring 8 goals. He was then released in April 2008 before brief spells with Cammell Lairds FC and Bradford Park Avenue FC.

Name: John Leah

Weight: 11st 4lbs

Height: 5' 9"

DOB: 03/04/1978

Nationality: English

Born: Shrewsbury

Former Clubs: Darlington, Newtown AFC

Joined Club: 08/06/09

John was signed in the summer of 2009 after being released by The New Saints FC, he spent eight continuous seasons with the Saints. A product of the club's youth system, made his debut for Llansantffraid in August 1996, but moved on to Darlington, for whom he made seven Football League appearances, and Newtown, rejoining Saints in November 2001. Stylish midfielder who is excellent with or without the ball, and can adapt between midfield and upfront with ease, also excels in going forward with link-up play a speciality. Season 2003/4 badly interrupted by a long term stomach injury. Suffered another long term injury in 2004/5 when he fractured a cheekbone against Caernarfon, but returned to skipper the side to the league and cup double. John was voted as the Principality Welsh Premier League Player of the Season in 2006/07 after a fine year for the Saints, when they won the League and Premier Cup Double. He played 35 times, scoring six goals in the campaign. Pertinently, he was also voted as the Saints Supporters' Player of the Year in the same year.

Name: Paul Smith

Weight: 12st 0lbs

Height: 5' 10"

DOB: 17/11/1991

Nationality: English

Born: Liverpool

Former Clubs: Chester

Joined Club: 01/09/09

Paul Smith joined Rhyl from Chester City on August transfer deadline day in 2009. The midfielder was a product of Chester's youth policy, and he made his debut in the Football League as a 17-year old substitute against Rochdale on February 3rd 2009. He went on to make four further substitute appearances for the club during their relegation season from Football League Two. He is an energetic and highly regarded player, who was recommended to Rhyl by former player Simon Davies. Smith was immediately added to the Lilywhites' squad to feature in the Loosemores Cup tie against Prestatyn Town the following evening.

Name: Chris Williams

Weight: tba

Height: tba

DOB: tba

Nationality: tba

Born: tba

Former Clubs: tba

Joined Club: tba

Name: Tyrone Kirk

Weight: 11st 1lbs

Height: 5' 8"

DOB: 02/01/1986

Nationality: English

Born: Scunthorpe

Former Clubs: Macclesfield Town, Stamford AFC, Scunthorpe.

Joined Club: 21/08/2009

Rhyl Manager Greg Strong captured the loan signing of Tyrone Kirk from Macclesfield Town in August 2009. He made his debut in the 2-0 League win over Port Talbot Town at Belle Vue on 29th August 2009. The skilful and tricky winger only joined the Silkmen in early August, but was allowed to join the Welsh Premier Champions on a loan deal to gain more experience. Kirk was the National Award Winner in the Nike Freestyle Soccer Tournament in 2003, having begun his career at Manchester City and as a trainee at Scunthorpe. In 2008/09 season, he starred for Stamford AFC in the Unibond First Division, where he scored eight goals and was named Player of the Year. His form attracted the attention of Sheffield United and Boston, before the Silkmen offered him the chance of League Football at Moss Rose. He made his Macs' debut in the Carling Cup against Leicester City in a 2-0 defeat, but was replaced at half-time.

FORWARDS 

Name: Matthew Williams

Weight: 11st 3lbs

Height: 5' 10"

DOB: 05/11/1982

Nationality: Welsh

Born: St Asaph 

Former Clubs: Manchester United (Youth), Burton Albion, Tamworth, Notts County

Caps:

Joined: 22/07/2008

Matthew Williams signed for Rhyl during pre-season 2008. Matthew began his football career in 2003 with Manchester United as a trainee, and played in the youth team along with the likes of Darren Fletcher, Kieran Richardson and Phil Bardsley. Williams however failed to force his way into the first-team, before being released in March, 2004 after less than one season with the club. Matthew then joined Notts County in 2004 where he spent two seasons. It didn't take Matthew long to become a fixture in the first-team making 26 appearances (13 starts and 13 substitute appearances) and scored just one goal. Matthew then joined Conference club Tamworth on loan in Jan 2006 for the remainder of the 2005/06 season, he went on to make a total of eight appearances and scored five goals during the loan spell, before injury put an end to his season. Despite an impressive time on loan at Tamworth Williams was not offered a new contract by Notts County and was released. Williams decided to re-sign with Tamworth on a one-year permanent contract for the 2006/07 season, during the season Matthew played as a winger and as a striker, and made a total of 31 appearances and scored five goals. Question marks had been raised over the future of Williams following Tamworth's relegation from the Nationwide Conference, although Matthew had always stated that despite the clubs relegation, he wanted to sign another contract for the 2007/08 season. Williams joined local rivals Burton Albion in a loan deal on March 21, 2008

Name: Lee Hunt

Weight: 13st 1lbs

Height: 5' 11"

DOB: 05/06/1981

Nationality: English

Born: Liverpool 

Former Clubs: Helsby FC, Bangor City, Barrow AFC.

Joined: 19.06.09

Lee left Belle Vue at the end of the 2007/08 season to join Conference club, Barrow. He previously joined Rhyl in the 2003/04 season and scored 113 goals in 164 competitive games for the club. Rhyl re-signed Hunt after his release by Barrow for season 2009/10.

 

 

 

 

Principality Welsh Premier League Champions 2008/09

Welcome to www.thelilywhites.co.uk - The unofficial Rhyl FC fans website.

Photo montage by Rob Downes.

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