DISMANTLING OF TITLE SQUAD
CRITICS of Rhyl's recent performances might wish to consider just how many top quality players have left the club since the end of last season.
Former captain George Horan, who joined Conference North club Droylsden this week, was the 15th member of the Lilywhites' Welsh Premier League title-winning squad to depart Belle Vue in the past nine months.
The only players who won 2008/09 championship medals now still at the club are player-manager Greg Strong, Mark Connolly, Matthew Williams, Gareth Owen and keeper Paul Pritchard.
That means 75% of the squad which won the title have moved on.
DEPARTURES
1 Craig Jones
First of title-winning squad to leave, joining TNS in May 2009 where he has made a massive impact.
2 Jamie Reed
Departed soon after Jones to try his luck in USA Major League soccer. Later signed for Bangor City where he is in fantastic form.
3 Josh Johnson
Left Lilies end of May 2009. Later joined Cefn Druids, then returned to his native Trinidad, but now back in North Wales playing for Airbus.
4 Michael Jones
Ex-Wrexham keeper filled in during Lee Kendall's lengthy suspension. Was released by champions same day as Johnson.
5 Carl Owen
Underrated striker said farewell to Rhyl in June 2009 and joined the Airbus revolution.
6 Gareth Wilson
Long-serving Willo switched to Prestatyn Town last June and has proved an inspiration at Bastion Road.
7 Paul O'Neill
A baffling departure given his consistency in a Rhyl shirt, O'Neill was also snapped up by Prestatyn.
8 Chris Roberts
Was allowed to leave Belle Vue and sign for Bangor City last June. City wouldn't swap him for the world.
9 Danny Williams
Midfield general reluctantly left Rhyl last July to join Conference North club Droylsden. Now at Bala Town.
10 Lee Kendall
Left Rhyl at start of August 2009 and became Port Talbot's new keeper the next day.
11 Luke Sherbon
Gifted midfielder rejoined Aberystwyth Town last August.
12 Neil Roberts
Played just one game this season before leaving in Belle Vue in September to coach at Manchester City.
13 Luke Holden
Went out on loan to Charlton Athletic last September, but was released after making just one substitute appearance for Addicks. Joined Wrexham on loan last month.
14 Greg Stones
Signed for Colwyn Bay in January window as he was unable to accept Rhyl's terms for rest of the season.
15 George Horan
Last season's title winning captain departed for same reason as Stones, signing for Droylsden this week.
The 2008/09 squad was built to win the title, but there was to be no sustainability, just a quick glory fix before the following summer brought a reduced budget and subsequent mass exodus.
Was it all worth it, considering the difficulties the club has found itself in this season after losing its main backer?
Any club which had lost so many class players, and not had the resources to bring in an adequate number of replacements, would surely find it a struggle.
At least 10, if not more, of those 15 who left would benefit Rhyl at the moment.
Taking all that into account, plus the fact he has also lost striker Lee Hunt and midfielder Paul Smith recently, it makes the job Greg Strong has done in keeping Rhyl in the top three of the Welsh Premier and still in two cups all the more commendable.
It is too early to judge all of Strong's signings, the time to do that will be at the end of the season.
Certainly Tyrone Kirk and Chris Williams have produced some exciting performances, although they at times lack consistency.
Shaun Dowling shows bags of promise in defence, Phil Doran has really impressed with some wholehearted displays, while the aforementioned Smith was also looking the part before his enforced departure.
John Leah, Martyn Naylor and the recently departed Hunt were brought on board before Strong took over, while the additions in the January transfer window have only just arrived at the club with some having played just one game and others awaiting their debut.
Whatever problems have emerged this season Greg Strong has remained positive and full of belief. His job is a very difficult one and he deserves support from all quarters.
The vast majority of the fans, certainly the diehards who have seen the good times and the bad at Belle Vue, are behind the manager.
Unity is what is needed and the bond between the fans and the team remains strong. That's what is keeping Rhyl FC alive at the moment.
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Dave Jones - For all the latest news from Rhyl Football Club, including match reports, news, views and features log on to Lilywhites On-Line hosted by Visitor sports editor Dave Jones.
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Nice piece Dave - quality writing and very illuminating. Glad that you've pulling the threads together as the squad we had showed that it was second to none. But there is no use crying over the ifs and buts as the squad we've got now and their manager will, I'm sure, try their hardest to get us into Europe, at least!
It's now that all Rhyl supporters need to get behind the team and show that we are the best supporters in the WPL bar none!!!
Yet again Mr. Jones a splendid article, as with you i've got to know Greg through articles for the Programme, I've never had any doubts about what he has or will do. Even with all the speculation surrounding the club, I've not changed my views of Rhyl F C, I help do what I can, speaking of which, there will be a donations bucket near the entrance for those who wish to help.
Thanks
Dave asks the question "Was it worth it" ? I say "Yes" ! Those memories and that history can never be taken away, and Neil Roberts took the football seen at BV to a new level.
However, if the question is "Were there mistakes made" then that also is true. Last season, the well-paid playing squad was 3 players or so too big. Had that ã1000 per week been saved throughout the season, it would have at least been enough to have seen us thro March and April this season and not lose Stones, Horan and Hunt and therefore be more likely to have won Euro money to take the club forward into the next season.