Conwy United F.C.

Conwy United

Full name	Conwy United Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Musselmen
Founded	1977
Ground	Y Morfa Conwy (Capacity: 2,500)
Chairman	Paul Hughes
Manager	Paul Moroney
League	Cymru Alliance
2010-11	Welsh Alliance League, 1st
Home colours Away colours

Y Morfa, viewed from Conwy Mountain

Conwy United F.C. are a Welsh amateur football club based in Conwy, playing in the Cymru Alliance league.

Club history

Following the demise of Borough United in 1967, Welsh representatives in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963/64, there was a void of Welsh League clubs in the Conwy area. Historically there has always been football in the area, and especially a Conwy team, stretching back to the 1870s. Then in 1977 Conwy Town and Conwy Royal British Legion, both of whom played in the Vale of Conwy League, amalgamated to form Conwy United.

The club was duly elected tio the Welsh League (North) that later became the Welsh Alliance League. In 1981/82 the club won the Welsh Intermediate Cup (now called the FAW Welsh Trophy) and the club also won the Welsh Alliance League title in 1984/85 and 1985/86. In 1990 the club became founder members of the Cymru Alliance League and finished in the top seven both seasons that they were members.

Then in 1992 the club became founder members of the League of Wales. The club finished a creditable 7th place in its first season and in 1995/96 finished in 3rd place under the guidance of John Hulse, with Kenny McKenna setting a club scoring record of 49 goals in a season. The club qualified for the 1996 UEFA Intertoto Cup and played Charleroi (Belgium) and SV Ried (Austria) at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, and travelled to Zaglebie Lubin (Poland) and Silkeborg (Denmark). Despite not progressing past the group stage, the club gave a good account of itself especially with a 0-0 draw against Charleroi and losing to a late goal against SV Ried.

In the following three seasons the club reached the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup twice, and also qualified for the FAW Premier Cup twice, most notably holding Swansea City to 0-0 draw at the Vetch Field. However the financial burden had began to take its toll on the club and in 2000 were relegated.

The club decided not to progress to the Cymru Alliance and instead accepted an invitation to join the Welsh Alliance League. In its second season the club was League runners-up and Cookson Cup runners-up. The following two seasons were very difficult both on and off the field but the return of Nigel Roberts as manager kept the club up and the 2004-05 season started tremendously well with the club sitting at the top of the League. However, tragedy struck when Nigel Roberts was killed in a road accident, but the team showed great strength and character to keep fighting. The league slipped just out of reach but under the guidance of Danny McGoona reached the final of the Cookson Cup again, only to lose out 4-3 to Bethesda in one of the most dramatic finals for years. The emergence of young players at the club has seen many progress to the first team.

Last season Barry Jones returned as Manager with Keith Tansley and one of the youngest Conwy sides ever finally clinched the Cookson Cup. An extra time penalty from Matty Bennett won the trophy against rivals Llandudno Junction at Maesdu. In the league the club finished sixth while playing some attractive football. This season Paul Moroney takes over as Manager with Barry Jones and Keith Tansley remaining at the club. With the foundations set down last season the club aim to build on the young squad and hopefully challenge for honours. The club has also resurrected a Reserve side managed by Denley Smith and hopefully the progression of young talent will hold the club in good stead for the future.

Past players for the club who have gone on to the Football League include Neville Southall, Carl Dale and Kevin Ellison.

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player DF Chris Quinn DF Mark Orme DF Darren Evans DF Rob King DF Sam Sinkinson DF Olly Walters DF Gavin Roberts DF Steve Warburton DF Dean Roberts MF Jamie Jones

No. Position Player MF Kieran Williams MF Ian Pattinson MF Ricky Jones MF Joe Williams MF Mike Williams MF Darren Jones MF Ben Hughes MF Dan Roberts FW Toby Jones FW Callum Vernon FW Paul Cassidy FW Connor Tierney FW Matty Bennett FW Dean Hughes FW Aled Stapleton

Staff

• Secretary: Mike Beech

External links

• Official Website