August 2008 Archives

RHYL 5 (Strong 18, Reed 39, N Roberts 48 & 51, Johnson 58)
LLANELLI 1 (S Jones 38)
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - AUGUST 30, 2008
WAS this Rhyl's best ever Welsh Premier performance?
The Llanelli jinx was well and truly shattered as the Lilywhites took the champions apart in front of a bumper crowd at Belle Vue which almost reached the 1,000 mark despite the game being shown live on S4C.
Peter Nicholas included returning goal machine Rhys Griffiths in his starting line-up but he, like most of the star names in the reds' ranks, were totally overshadowed by a Lilies team which produced one of the greatest attacking displays seen at Belle Vue in years.
Rhyl set the right tempo from the start and almost took a first minute lead when Greg Strong met a Gareth Owen corner but Andy Legg cleared off the line with keeper Craig Morris beaten.
In the 12th minute Owen's chip over the defence found Neil Roberts whose fierce volley was brilliantly tipped behind by Morris.
From the resulting corner George Horan headed powerfully goalwards but Legg was there again to nod off the line.
A Rhyl goal was inevitable and it arrived on 18 minutes. Strong first of all won a header from a Mark Connolly free-kick then Roberts brilliantly chested the ball down for Strong to volley home.
Llanelli were rocking as Roberts headed over after Horan and Strong combined to set him up from a Josh Johnson cross.
The Lilies went desperately close again when an Owen free-kick was headed against his own post by Stuart Jones but the ball was still going in before Steve Evans cleared off the line.
Totally against the run of play Llanelli equalised on 38 minutes.
Lee Kendall met Legg's long throw with a weak punch and Stuart Jones' header looped over Roberts and Horan, who could only help the ball into the roof of the net.
It was a travesty of justice to see a 1-1 scoreline, but Rhyl rightfully restored their lead within a minute when Craig Jones and Roberts won important headers, enabling Jamie Reed to bravely beat Morris to the ball and score for the hosts.
Just before the interval Kendall atoned for his earlier error when he made a great stop from Llanelli's best player on the day, ex-Cardiff City and Reading midfielder Jason Bowen.
Half-time: Rhyl 2 Llanelli 1.
The game was all over as a contest following a three-goal spell in 10 scintillating minutes from the Lilywhites after the turnaround.
On 48 minutes Roberts latched on a long ball forward and beat off the challenge of Stuart Jones to score with a vicious volley from the edge of the box.
Three minutes later fantastic quick passing between Jones and Owen led to the latter floating in a brilliant cross which Roberts placed into the bottom corner with a sublime header.
Belle Vue was in raptures when more slick exchanges between Jones and Roberts resulted in Reed's shot being saved but Johnson was there to snap up the rebound.
To Llanelli's credit they tried to rally, but their finishing was either awry or they could not breach the rock solid home defence where Strong and Horan were particularly awesome.
And Rhyl had the best chance to add another goal when Owen's umpteenth wonder pass released substitute Carl Owen who was clean through but denied by Morris.
This was a fabulous showing from Allan Bickerstaff's and Osian Roberts' side. The decision to play two wide men in Johnson and Jones worked a treat as Rhyl's width and pace made Llanelli's largely ageing back line look pedestrian.
Roberts was majestic up front, Owen a gem in the midfield and to a man everyone was on their game from the first whistle.
This result sends out a massive statement to the rest of the league that Rhyl are a team to be reckoned with this season.
RHYL: Kendall, Connolly (O'Neill 90), Stones, Strong, Horan, Williams, Jones (Kelly 73), G Owen, Roberts (C Owen 74), Reed, Johnson.
Attendance: 937.

NEFYN UNITED 1 (Gareth Williams 73)
RHYL RESERVES 1 (James Hay 87)
WELSH ALLIANCE LEAGUE - AUG 30, 2008
HAVING beaten Nefyn 3-0 at Belle Vue seven days earlier Rhyl Reserves had high hopes of a quick double, but a disappointing display at Cae'r Delyn this afternoon led to two dropped points.
"It was a poor performance at times today," said Rhyl manager Jon Stazicker.
"We just can't seem to click away from home at the moment. Attitudes and performances must get better otherwise we will find ourselves in a rut."
Rhyl started poorly. They were slow to react to the second ball and a great first time shot by Nefyn's Zac Allanson from long distance hit the post.
Rhyl hit back when Joe Ahern's long ball over the Nefyn defence released Mike Roose whose volley was tipped around the post by Penwaigs keeper Ian Aikman.
Scott Millington's corner into the middle of the six-yard box was missed by everyone and Tom Roberts was waiting at the back stick but headed wide.
Tom Patel shot just off target after a strong solo run and Millington's 18-yard effort was well saved by Aikman. Half-time: 0-0.
After the break Millington fired just wide before he neatly chipped Aikman, but Tom MacAuley was there to clear off the goal-line.
Nefyn gained in confidence and on 73 minutes the ball arrived in the box to Gareth Williams who sidefooted under Jamie Jones to end the deadlock.
Aikman produced another fine stop from an Adam France free header before in the 87th minute Jack Roberts whipped in a free-kick from 23 yards and James Hay headed in the equaliser.
RHYL: Jamie Jones, Joe Ahern, Tom Roberts, Adam France, Scott Millington, Tom Patel, Jack Roberts, James Hay, Keiron Evans, Sam Brewerton, Mike Roose. Subs: Gareth Hughes, Ben Bucknall, Chris Evans, Sean Morgan.

THIS story appeared on the Llanelli FC website today...

GOAL machine Rhys Griffiths returns to the fold for Saturday's televised trip to Rhyl -- but may have to make do with a place on the bench.
Llanelli captain Griffiths missed the club's opening three games after being sent off in last season's Welsh Cup final defeat to Bangor.
In his absence, Mark Jones and Mark Pritchard took turns to lead the attack as the Reds picked up comfortable victories over Bangor and Caersws.
Wedged in between was a shock 5-3 home defeat to Neath in the League Cup -- a result manager Peter Nicholas labelled a "one-off performance."
But the Reds boss has vowed to be ruthless this season as he looks to retain the Welsh Premier League title and fend off the challenges of The New Saints, Bangor and Rhyl.
Nicholas has warned his players that no-one is sure of selection, and that extends to Griffiths.
The triple Welsh Golden Boot winner could be named as a substitute for the trip to Rhyl, which is being shown live on S4C.
That would be music to the ears of the North Walians, who were sick of the sight of Griffiths last season.
During 2007-08, Llanelli faced Rhyl five times in the league, League Cup, Welsh Cup and FAW Premier Cup.
The Reds won every time with Griffiths scoring on seven occasions.
But Nicholas is keeping his cards close to his chest on Griffiths's selection.
"Obviously it's great to have Rhys available for selection, but you have to look at the lads who have played in his absence," said Nicholas.
"He is a born goalscorer and any team would love to have him in their squad.
"But I've said that I will be ruthless with selection and I'm sticking by it.
"If someone is playing well enough to keep their place in the side then it's difficult to replace them with someone who has not been available previously.
"Mark Pritchard scored twice last weekend and Mark Jones played well up in Bangor.
"So it's going to be a close decision. Rhys isn't certain to start, just like anyone in this team."
While Nicholas ponders whether Griffiths will start at Belle Vue, he also hopes midfielders Chris Holloway and Andrew Mumford recover from hamstring and shin problems picked up in the 3-0 win over Caersws last weekend.
Keeper Duncan Roberts again misses out so Craig Morris will don the gloves as he looks to secure his third clean sheet of the league campaign.
Big-spending Rhyl splashed the cash in the summer by securing the high-profile signing of former Welsh international Neil Roberts from Wrexham, along with two other former Dragons in Danny Williams and ex-Trinidad & Tobago Under-20s star Josh Johnson.
Like Llanelli, Rhyl have started the campaign with two victories, but something has to give on Saturday.
"Rhyl have ambitions of winning the title and they will definitely be in the top few spots at the end of the season," said Nicholas.
"They have made a lot of movement in the transfer market in the summer and they also have a good management team in Osian Roberts and Allan Bickerstaff.
"But this game won't win or lose us the title.
"What we have to do is just focus on this game and forget everything else."

SOURCE: http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/carmarthenshire/sport

RHYL v LLANELLI
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 5.45pm
THE jinx Llanelli has held over Rhyl has gone on too long.
Peter Nicholas' side boast a 10-match unbeaten run over the Lilywhites in all competitions.
Not since October 2004 have the Lilies registered a victory over the South Wales Reds. It was a 2-0 Welsh Premier win and the scorers were Chris Adamson and Peter Smith.
Tomorrow is surely the day Rhyl can break the hoodoo. Neither the club's new management or the several players that have arrived at Belle Vue this summer will be aware of the hex or care about it.
Llanelli are the champions and have started the season well, save for a shock League Cup defeat against Neath. Nicholas' teams are always strong and well prepared - and so they should be on full-time wages.
Rhyl have started well too. Three wins out of three, although the opposition has not been anywhere near as tough as it will be on Saturday.
C'mon the Lilywhites - here's 10 good reasons to beat the champions today...
April 27, 2008 - League Cup Final: Llanelli 2 Rhyl 0.
March 30, 2008 - Welsh Cup semi-final: Llanelli 5 Rhyl 2.
Dec 22, 2007 - Welsh Premier League: Llanelli 2 Rhyl 1.
Nov 6, 2007 - FAW Premier Cup: Llanelli 4 Rhyl 1.
Aug 25, 2007 - WPL: Rhyl 1 Llanelli 2.
April 24, 2007 - WPL: Rhyl 2 Llanelli 2.
Sep 16, 2006 - WPL: Llanelli 6 Rhyl 0.
Apr 29, 2006 - WPL: Llanelli 1 Rhyl 1.
Oct 29, 2005 - WPL: Rhyl 0 Llanelli 1.
Mar 12, 2005 - WPL: Llanelli 2 Rhyl 1.

HALKYN UNITED 1 (Francis 80)
RHYL RESERVES 4 (Brewerton 9, Millington 15, Roose 37 & 56)
WELSH ALLIANCE LEAGUE - AUG 26, 2008
A COMFORTABLE win for the Reserves at Pant Newydd tonight which should have been more emphatic.
The scoring began in the ninth minute when Tom Patel played a ball to the edge of the box for Sam Brewerton whose first time shot was drilled into the left-hand corner.
In the 15th minute the experienced Scott Millington made it 2-0 with a run and fine finish.
Brewerton had an effort well saved by Halkyn keeper Tony Gandy, but on 37 minutes a cross from Jack Roberts on the right to the back post was headed in by Mike Roose - half time 3-0.
Brewerton set up Roose for number four on 56 minutes, last season's top scorer rounding Gandy to slot in his second of the night.
Fine Gandy saves and poor finishing from Rhyl denied them further goals before Shane Francis hit a late consolation for the hosts.
RHYL: Jamie Jones, Ben Bucknall, Tom Roberts, Joe Ahern, Scott Millington, Tom Patel, Jack Roberts, James Hay, Keiron Evans, Sam Brewerton, Mike Roose. Subs: Sean Morgan, Phil Graham, Craig Hughes, Darren Ross, Chris Evans.

RHYL RESERVES 3 (Patel 35 & 84, Roose 54)
NEFYN UNITED 0
WELSH ALLIANCE LEAGUE - AUG 23, 2008
IN their first home match of the season a Rhyl side strengthened by first team squad players Gareth Wilson and Chris Roberts produced an excellent display to see off a Nefyn outfit who traditionally always make it hard for the Lilywhites at Belle Vue.
Jon Stazicker's side clicked from the start and went close early doors when a Scott Millington free-kick 25 yards out was met by Mike Roose who connected well but United keeper Ian Aikman saved superbly.
Good work by Sam Brewerton set up Keiron Evans whose shot was well blocked then Chris Roberts fired just wide from the edge of the box.
Wilson then linked nicely with Ben Bucknall whose long range strike was again well saved by the busy Aikman.
Rhyl broke the deadlock when Brewerton and Roose combined to enable new signing Tom Patel to fire home on 35 minutes.
The Lilies doubled their money in the second period when Patel laid off to Roose whose shot was too powerful for Aikman to keep out and the ball found the net with 54 minutes on the clock.
Aikman did really well to thwart another Bucknall shot before six minutes from time Patel rose majestically to head home a Millington delivery which sealed the points.
Evans volleyed over and Patel brought yet another save from Aikman before the end.
Manager Stazicker was delighted, labelling it the team's best footballing performance of his 12-month tenure.
Rhyl Reserves: Jamie Jones, Ben Bucknall, Tom Roberts, Chris Roberts, Scott Millington, Jack Roberts, Gareth Wilson, Keiron Evans, Tom Patel, Mike Roose, Sam Brewerton. Subs used: Joe Ahern, Sean Morgan, Darren Ross. Unused: Chris Evans, Craig Hughes.

CAERNARFON TOWN 0
RHYL 1 (Horan 34)
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - AUGUST 23, 2008
GEORGE Horan's 34th minute goal was enough to ensure the Lilywhites stretched their unbeaten run against Caernarfon in the Welsh Premier to 14 matches.
Three points and a clean sheet has to represent a satisfactory outcome for Allan Bickerstaff's side who hold joint leadership of the WPL at this very early stage of the campaign.
The Canaries are fielding virtually a new team this season, their Liverpool-based management trio packing the squad with numerous players from the Merseyside area.
Having lost their opener 1-0 at Caersws and then getting thrashed 7-1 at Newtown in the League Cup in midweek, the Cofis were expected to be cannon fodder for Rhyl but it did not quite work out like that.
Hero of the afternoon for the hosts was goalkeeper Craig Dunn who made a number of important saves to keep the score down.
In the fourth minute Dunn was called into action to hold a Craig Jones shot and as the game developed so Rhyl took control.
On 10 minutes a huge clearance from Lee Kendall was brilliantly brought down by Carl Owen but Dunn was equal to his low left foot drive.
In the 16th minute Dunn produced a sharp reaction stop to keep out a heading exchange between Horan and Greg Strong from a Gareth Owen corner.
Caernarfon's first serious threat emerged on 19 minutes when the much-travelled Lee Furlong linked well with Paul Addo before volleying just wide.
The deadlock was broken on 34 minutes when Gareth Owen's free-kick from outside the area was stabbed home by captain Horan at the back post.
Into the second half and the Lilies continued to create the better chances, Carl Owen heading against the bar and Jimmy Kelly clattering the woodwork from a free-kick.
Dunn did superbly to keep out a deflected Gareth Owen effort and he had to get down smartly to deny Carl Owen again. The partnership of Carl Owen and Neil Roberts up front worked well.
In the 77th minute substitute Josh Johnson beat Dunn to a long ball and looked set to find an empty net, but again the Canaries custodian excelled in managing to recover.
For all Rhyl's domination Caernarfon could have plundered a late equaliser when a Tom Grice rocket was bound for the top corner but Lee Kendall did what Lee Kendall does, produced a tremendous tip over in spite of hardly being tested otherwise in the game.
Town did have a few other attempts during the half and certainly did not roll over and lie down, but on the day they were by some distance second best.
RHYL: Kendall, Connolly, Stones, Strong, Horan (c), D Williams, G Owen, Kelly (Johnson 76), N Roberts, C Owen, Jones (Reed 70) sub not used: O'Neill.
* Match information kindly supplied by Paul Scott.

GLAN CONWY 1 (Beardmore 83)
RHYL RESERVES 0
WELSH ALLIANCE LEAGUE - AUG 20, 2008
YET again Glan Conwy proved to be Rhyl's bogey side but last night's game at Cae Ffwt could have been a different story had Jon Stazicker's team accepted their goalscoring chances.
Rhyl looked the more dangerous outfit in the first half, Joe Ahern heading a Jack Roberts free-kick over the bar in the early stages.
Roberts was then brought down on the edge of the box and Mike Roose's free-kick was well saved by the Glan goalkeeper.
Keiron Evans' left foot volley did not miss by much before the hosts threatened, Mally Tidswell firing over and Aled Stapleton forcing Paul Pritchard into a save.
It was end-to-end stuff as James Hay's 20-yarder was fumbled by the keeper who recovered before Roose could snap up the rebound, then just before the break Pritchard smartly kept out a Lee Hughes shot.
The home keeper was again in good form in the second half, thwarting a Roose effort following a fine run down the left by Sam Brewerton.
From a Keiron Evans corner Ahern somehow headed wide - a game-turning moment - then a great move involving Brewerton, Roose and Jack Roberts resulted in the ball coming to Phil Graham whose first time attempt from four yards went wide when he had a chance to take a touch.
Seven minutes from time Rhyl paid the price for their wastefulness when a miskick by keeper Pritchard fell to the opposition and the ball was worked to Chris Beardmore whose shot into the left hand corner decided the game.
Rhyl manager Stazicker said: "It was always going to be a hard game against a good Glan Conwy side but it's all about taking your chances; if we had it could have been a different story.
"It showed how much it meant to the Glan team when they celebrated at full-time as if they'd won the cup. We've not made the best of starts; we should have had three points on Saturday and I would have settled for a point tonight, but it's just one point out of six. We must be better this Saturday at home to Nefyn."
Rhyl: Paul Pritchard, Ben Bucknall, Tom Roberts, Chris Evans, Sean Morgan, Keiron Evans, Jack Roberts, James Hay, Joe Ahern, Gareth Hughes, Mike Roose. Subs: Sam Brewerton, Phil Graham, Craig Hughes, Darren Ross.

LEE KENDALL (GOALKEEPER)
Born: Newport, Jan 8, 1981
Son of the late former Tottenham and Wolves goalkeeper Mark, Lee joined Rhyl from Haverfordwest County at the start of the 2007/08 season. A Welsh Under-21 and semi-professional international, Lee began his pro career at Crystal Palace in the late 1990s before joining Cardiff City for £50,000 in December 2000. He then had a spell with Barry Town before spending five seasons at Haverfordwest, then switching ranks to the Lilywhites.
Total Welsh Premier appearances: 181; Rhyl WPL apps: 31.

CHRIS ROBERTS (DEFENDER)
Born: Wrexham, Aug 14, 1985
Joined the Lilywhites in November 2006 and has progressed into one of the finest left-sided defenders in the Welsh Premier. Chris first featured in the WPL in 2005/06 for NEWI Cefn Druids having joined them from Colwyn Bay. Has very rarely had a poor game for the Lilywhites, his ability as a solid defender and ball carrier making him worth his weight in gold.
Total WPL apps: 60 (7) Goals: 2; Rhyl WPL apps: 36 (5) Goals: 2.

GEORGE HORAN (DEFENDER)
Born: Chester, Feb 18, 1982
Very strong and experienced central defender who was with Connah's Quay Nomads for five seasons before signing for Rhyl at the start of the 2005/06 campaign. Was a member of Rhyl's Welsh Cup winning team in his first season at Belle Vue and took over as first team captain from the departing Timmy Edwards the following term.
Equally adept in the air and on the deck, Horan is the joint second highest appearance maker for the Lilies in Europe and is regularly named in Welsh Premier dream teams.
Total WPL apps: 243 (1) Goals: 20; Rhyl WPL apps: 94 (1) Goals: 6.

PAUL O'NEILL (DEFENDER)
Born: Farnworth, June 17, 1982
Paul was a pro at Macclesfield Town between 1999-2003 - fitting in a brief loan spell at Bangor City - and made 36 league appearances for the Silkmen before switching to Scottish League side Gretna in 2003-04. His career also including two loan stints with Northwich Victoria and Scarborough, Paul joined Bangor in 2004/05 and spent three seasons at Farrar Road before signing for Rhyl at the start of last term. A very versatile player, he can play anywhere across the defence.
Total WPL apps: 94 (3) Goals: 7; Rhyl WPL apps: 29 (1) Goals: 2.

GREG STRONG (DEFENDER)
Born: Bolton, September 5, 1975
Rhyl is the 17th club this much-travelled defender has played for in a distinguished career. He started out at Wigan Athletic (1992-95) before moving to Bolton Wanderers (1995-2000) where he made his Premiership debut. After loan moves to Blackpool and Stoke City, Strong signed for Scottish League club Motherwell for £150,000 in July 2000. He returned to England in 2002 to join Hull City and subsequently went out on loan to Cheltenham Town, Scunthorpe United, Bury, Boston United and Macclesfield Town before moving north of the border again to sign for Livingston in 2005. He moved on to Dundee but was released in late 2006 and dropped into non-league with Halifax, Northwich and Droylsden before committing himself to Rhyl in July 2008. Football League appearances: 89 (11) Goals: 6; Scottish League appearances: 121 (8) Goals: 5.
Total WPL apps: 0.

MARK CONNOLLY (DEFENCE/MIDFIELD)
Born: Birkenhead, July 2, 1984
Although Rhyl's Intertoto Cup hopes ended in disappointment at the hands of Bohemian in June, the shining light for the Lilywhites was midfielder Mark Connolly who scored both goals in a 4-2 home defeat at Belle Vue and had fair claim to the one the Lilies netted in Dublin too.
"Conno" has been an outstanding success for Rhyl since signing in 2005 from Bangor City. His tremendous engine, superb crossing ability and lethalness from dead-ball situations make him the Lilies' very own answer to Steven Gerrard.
Total WPL apps: 103 (23) Goals: 18. Rhyl WPL apps: 77 (11) Goals: 14.

GREG STONES (DEFENCE/MIDFIELD)
Born: Birkenhead, May 4, 1982
Stones is in his second spell at Belle Vue, having been initially brought into the Welsh Premier in 2004/05 when he signed from West Cheshire League side Poulton Vics. After two seasons under John Hulse, Greg went full-time with TNS in July 2006. He left the Saints at the end of 2006/07 for a trial with Crewe Alexandra, then played for Stafford Rangers and Cammell Laird before making a surprise return to Rhyl in January 2008. Originally signed as a defender, Stones now more often than not operates in midfield although this season he could return to the back again.
Total WPL apps: 89 (8) Goals 9. Rhyl WPL apps: 67 (3) Goals: 5.

GARETH WILSON (MIDFIELD)
Born: St Asaph, May 23, 1978
Recently signed a new one-year deal with Rhyl making this his ninth successive season at Belle Vue. Willo is set to break the club's all-time appearance record in the Welsh Premier this term. A former Wales U16 and U18 international, he won the FAW Youth Cup with Wrexham before first joining Rhyl in 1997/98. He then spent two seasons at TNS, winning the WPL title in 1999/2000, before returning to Belle Vue in 1999/2000. Is now the only remaining member of the 2003/04 treble-winning squad at the club in regular first team contention.
Total WPL apps: 252 (63) Goals 30. Rhyl WPL apps: 219 (32) Goals: 22.

GARETH OWEN (MIDFIELD)
Born: Connah's Quay, October 21, 1971
Signed professional forms for Wrexham in 1990 and went on to make 350 appearances for the Robins, netting 36 goals. He left the Racecourse in 2001 to join Doncaster Rovers. Won eight Under-21 and one B cap for Wales and returned to his home town club Connah's Quay Nomads in the summer of 2003 after helping Rovers back into the Football League. Appointed player/manager of Airbus UK in the 2005 close season, but made a surprise move to Rhyl as a player in summer 2008.
Total WPL apps: 152 (2) Goals 23. Rhyl WPL apps: 0.

JIMMY KELLY (MIDFIELD)
Born: Liverpool, Feb 14, 1973
Signed for Rhyl at the start of last season but after some outstanding early displays a knee injury ruined his campaign. Is now back as a key member of the midfield under Allan Bickerstaff. Kelly began his career as an apprentice at Wrexham, making his Football League debut in 1990/91. After 21 appearances for the Robins he moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in an exchange deal. His spell at Molineux included stints back at Wrexham and Walsall. He returned to playing in 1998 with a short stay at Bury and he has since worn the colours of several top non-league clubs including Hednesford Town, Doncaster Rovers and Chester City (both then Conference sides), Scarborough, Morecambe, Lancaster City and Droylsden, whom he helped win the Conference North title in 2006/07 season.
Total WPL/Rhyl apps: 6 Goals: 1.

DANNY WILLIAMS (MIDFIELD)
Born: Wrexham, July 12, 1979
Started his career at the age of 18 as a trainee at Liverpool. Was at Anfield between 1997-99 before joining hometown club Wrexham where he made 39 (3) appearances from 1999-2001. He was released by then manager Brian Flynn and had a loan spell at Doncaster before beginning a three-year stay at Kidderminster Harriers where he featured in 111 first team games. Loan stints at Chester and Bristol Rovers followed prior to his return to Wrexham where he spent another four years, making 121 appearances, before being released in summer 2008 and Rhyl was his next port of call. Has nine Wales under-21 caps.
Total WPL/Rhyl apps: 0.

JOSH JOHNSON (MIDFIELD)
Born: Carenage, April 16, 1981
Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Josh Johnson played for San Juan Jabloteh in his native country for six years.
He represented his nation at the FIFA U-20 world qualifying tournament in 2001 and the 2004 Olympic qualifying series in Mexico before Denis Smith signed him for Wrexham in August 2006.
Johnson featured in 35 first team games for the Robins (22 of them as substitute) before he was released in May.
Total WPL/Rhyl apps: 0.

CRAIG JONES (MIDFIELD)
Born: Chester, March 20, 1987
Wales semi-professional international who scored a hat-trick against Gibraltar this year, Craig joined Rhyl in summer 2007 from Abersytwyth Town and his pace down the right and ability to score vital goals made him an instant hit at Belle Vue. Has also played for Buckley Town and Airbus UK. Craig has to rate as one of the best signings of the John Hulse era.
Total WPL apps: 96 (14) Goals: 22. Rhyl WPL apps: 31 Goals: 8.

NEIL ROBERTS (STRIKER)
Born: Wrexham, April 7, 1978
Full Wales international Roberts signed for Wrexham in 1994 and made 75 appearances, scoring 17 goals before a big money move to Wigan Athletic in 2000. He played in 125 matches for the Latics, netting 19 times, then followed loan stints at Hull City and Bradford City before he joined Doncaster Rovers in 2004. Roberts returned to Wrexham in 2006 and spent two years at the Racecourse before being released in summer 2008. In 227 full Football League appearances he scored 56 goals. He won the last of his four Wales caps against Norway in 2004.
Total WPL apps: 0.

JAMIE REED (STRIKER)
Born: Chester, Aug 13, 1987
Promising young goal getter who while at Wrexham was loaned to Aberystwyth for half a season after previous temporary spells at Glentoran and Colwyn Bay. Returned to Racecourse in January 2008 after netting nine Welsh Premier goals and made seven substitute appearances for the Robins, but, after a further loan period at Tamworth, was released by Wrexham and signed a one-year deal at Rhyl. Looked very impressive in pre-season matches for the Lilywhites.
Total WPL apps: 19 (1) Goals: 9. Rhyl WPL apps: 0.

MATTHEW WILLIAMS (STRIKER)
Born: St Asaph, November 5, 1982
Wales Under-21 international who began his football career as a schoolboy at Manchester United where he was a regular in the reserves and also played in the youth team alongside the likes of Darren Fletcher and Kieran Richardson. After spending six years at Old Trafford, Denbigh-based Matthew joined Notts County in 2004 where he made 26 appearances, but did not have the best of luck with injuries. Spells at Tamworth and Burton Albion followed, going close to helping Nigel Clough's side reach the Football League, before he joined Rhyl in the summer.
Total WPL apps: 0.

CARL OWEN (STRIKER)
Born: Bangor, April 9, 1980
Joined Bangor City as a teenager and spent the 1997/98 season at Farrar Road before later switching to Cymru Alliance Glantraeth. Rejoined the Citizens in 2000, but found his opportunities limited and he signed for Porthmadog in 2003. He spent five seasons at Y Traeth, regularly finishing top marksman, and overall he netted 47 goals in 121 full WPL appearances for Port. Was signed by Rhyl in July 2008 and impressed in pre-season. Tall target man with a goalscorer's instinct, he is a Welsh semi-pro cap.
Total WPL apps: 128 (29) Goals: 49. Rhyl WPL apps: 0.

PAUL PRITCHARD (GOALKEEPER)
Born: May 26, 1984.
Played for top Anglesey clubs Holyhead Hotspur, Glantraeth, Llangefni Town and Llanfairpwll before joining Caernarfon Town in 2004/05. Became first choice keeper at The Oval prior to switching to Connah's Quay Nomads in 2007/08. A former Wales Under-18 international, he has represented Anglesey in the World Island Games and earned a call up to the Wales semi-pro squad in the summer. Paul was signed as cover for Lee Kendall in August 2008 but is expected to get a few run outs in the first team this season.
Total WPL apps: 100. Rhyl WPL apps: 0.

All data complete up to start of the 2008/09 season.

STRIKER Marc Lloyd Williams has been officially released by Rhyl FC today.
The Welsh Premier League's all-time record goalscorer with 278, "Jiws" joined the Lilywhites in January 2008 and netted seven league goals for the club.
This now brings the current Rhyl first team squad to 18:

GOALKEEPERS
Lee Kendall
Paul Pritchard
DEFENDERS
Paul O'Neill
Greg Stones
Greg Strong
George Horan
Chris Roberts
MIDFIELDERS
Jimmy Kelly
Gareth Owen
Josh Johnson
Craig Jones
Gareth Wilson
Danny Williams
Mark Connolly
STRIKERS
Neil Roberts
Jamie Reed
Matthew Williams
Carl Owen