RHYL'S GREATEST ALL-TIME WELSH PREMIER X1

RHYL FC'S GREATEST ALL-TIME WELSH PREMIER X1

RHYL are about to embark on their 15th season in the Welsh Premier League.
In that time the club has won the championship once, the League Cup and Welsh Cup twice and qualified for Europe five years in succession.
Over the past 14 seasons a total of 283 players have registered to play for the Lilywhites in the LoW/WPL (not all of them actually featured in a match). Some of them were excellent, many good, numerous average and a few probably totally useless.
So, what is Rhyl's all-time best Welsh Premier X1? It's a subject very much open to debate but here is Lilywhites Online's verdict....
Bear in mind, this selection is not necessarily based on achievement but the writer's belief that if some players had stayed at the club or been given a chance they could have been as successful as their counterparts.
As well as the best X1 I've chosen six substitutes (cheating I know, but it's my game!).

1 LEE KENDALL (2007-)
(31 WPL appearances)
Proved in his first season at Rhyl what a fantastic keeper he is. The fact the Lilywhites had the meanest defence in the WPL was in no small part down to him.
2 MARK CONNOLLY (2005-)
(77 full apps, 14 goals)
Contentious choice at right wing-back maybe but no-one else for me stood out in the right-back position over the past 14 years. His ability at set pieces and superb engine would really benefit the side too.
3 STUART GRAVES (2000/01 & 2002/08)
(144 full apps, 4 goals)
In my book Rhyl's best left-sided player in WPL history. Ultra-consistent and another who could bomb forward in the wing-back role.
4 MICHAEL JACKSON (2001-04)
(49 full apps, 4 goals)
Jacko was a top class defender who featured in the club's finest WPL achievements. Uncompromising in the air and good on the deck, he went on to play for TNS and faced Liverpool in the Champions League.
5 TIMMY EDWARDS (1994-96, 96-97, 97-98, 2002-07)
(226 full apps, 26 goals)
A Belle Vue legend in every sense of the word. The kingpin of John Hulse's trophy winning sides, lifted every one of the seven cups won by the Liverpudlian boss between 2004-06. Record WPL appearance maker for Rhyl.
6 STEVE WALTERS (2002-04)
(53 full apps, 8 goals)
Will always rate as John Hulse's finest signing for me. Midfield genius who was the fulcrum of the 2003/04 treble-winning side. Now player-manager at Rhos Aelwyd, but at his peak made almost 150 appearances for Crewe Alexandra.
7 MARC LIMBERT (2002-06)
(74 full apps, 15 goals)
The magician of the 2003/04 side. His right foot was like a magic wand and he scored arguably the greatest goal ever at Belle Vue against Aberystwyth that season. Now at Bangor and won the Welsh Cup with them last season.
8 RICKY EVANS (2005-06)
(13 full apps, 0 goals)
Very controversial choice I hear you say, but in the very short time he was at Rhyl I was hugely impressed with his passing ability, vision and penchant for controlling a game. Had he been able to stay on the right side of the law could have been talked about in the same glowing terms as Walters. Wasted in the Cymru Alliance with Gap Queens Park last season, different class.
9 JUSTIN PERRY (2001-02)
(4 apps, 5 goals)
Justin who? Lee Williams brought this outstanding front man to Belle Vue in 2001. He played in four matches, scored five goals and in no time TNS snapped him up. Perry was a fantastic talent, had he stayed Rhyl could have started picking up the trophies before Hulse's golden era.
10 LEE HUNT (2003-08)
(115 full apps, 74 goals)
Rhyl's top scorer for past four seasons, joined Barrow this summer. Hunt was a great all-round striker and never gave less than 100% - sometimes he gave too much and had a poor disciplinary record as a result, but will always be a Belle Vue hero.
11 LEE TRUNDLE (2000-01)
(17 full apps, 15 goals)
Joined Rhyl during Brian Kettle's short stay and was the real deal from day one. Netted 15 goals in 17 starts but after bagging a hat-trick against a full-strength Wrexham in a 4-1 friendly victory Brian Flynn snapped him up within days in a five-figure deal. Trundle has since played for Swansea and came within an ace of reaching the Premiership with Bristol City. One of most revered talents outside the top flight.
SUBS:
ANDY MORAN (2001-08 - 148 full apps, 99 goals): Rhyl's record WPL scorer but never quite hit the heights of his 47-goal 2003/04 season thereafter.
JOHN DURNIN (2001-02 - 10 full apps, 4 goals): Ex-Liverpool schemer who went back into the Football League after a brilliant short spell at Belle Vue.
GEORGE HORAN (2005-): Captain fantastic over past three seasons, recently signed new deal. Colossus in the air and on the ground.
CRAIG JONES (2007-): Was the outstanding success story of last season with his speed and goalscoring ability earning him Welsh semi-pro caps.
CONALL MURTAGH (2006-07 - 23 full apps): Northern Ireland Under-21 international recruited by Wrexham after great first season with Rhyl. Midfield maestro, much missed.
ALLAN JONES (1997-98 & 2001-02 - 2 full apps): Another choice you may be perplexed with, but local lad Allan had a magical right foot, scoring some fantastic free-kick goals for the Reserves. Given his chance I am sure he could have been a star.
WORST EVER PLAYERS?
Not too keen on listing them. Did so before when assessing John Hulse's signings and I feel it's unfair on the players involved, so I'll give it a miss.

* What is your greatest Rhyl WPL X1? Feel free to send your comments, they are always very much appreciated.

RHYL'S TOP 10 WPL APPEARANCE MAKERS (substitute appearances in brackets; * = still a Rhyl player)
1 Timmy Edwards 226 (3)
2 * Gareth Wilson 219 (32)
3 James Brewerton 183 (23)
4 Mark Powell 151 (21)
5 Andy Moran 148 (17)
6 Stuart Graves 144 (18)
7 Lee Hunt 115 (5)
8 Paul Smith 110
9 Scott Millington 106 (66)
10 Gary Curtis 102

RHYL'S TOP 10 WPL GOALSCORERS
1 Andy Moran 99
2 Lee Hunt 74
3 Danny Barton 41
4 Tim Steel 34
5 * Gary Powell 28
6 Tim Edwards 26
7 Chris McGinn 25
8 * Gareth Wilson 22
9 Scott Millington 16
10 Lee Trundle/Marc Limbert 15