Caernarfon Town F.C.

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Caernarfon Town

Full name

Caernarfon Town Football Club
Clwb Pêl Droed Tref Caernarfon

Nickname(s)

The Canaries

Founded

1876

Ground

The Oval, Caernarfon
(Capacity 3,400 (252 seated))

Manager

Steve O'Shaughnessy

League

Welsh Premier League

2007-08

Welsh Premier League, 14th





Home colours





Away colours

Caernarfon Town F.C. is a football team, playing in the Welsh Premier League. The club are nicknamed The Canaries because of their yellow and green strip. They play at The Oval, Caernarfon, Gwynedd.

1 History
- 1.1 The early years
- 1.2 Caernarfon Town
2 Current squad
3 See also
4 External links
5 References

[edit] History

[edit] The early years

The first known football club in the town of Caernarfon was Caernarvon Athletic, formed in 1876 and playing at various locations in the town before settling at the club's present ground, The Oval, in 1888.

Athletic went out of existence in 1893 but a new club, Caernarvon Ironopolis, was formed two years later reaching the semi finals of the Welsh Cup in 1900^[1] and 1902^[2] before disbanding following a dispute with the North Wales Coast League in 1903. Former players of the 'Nops' formed two new clubs, Caernarvon Colts and Caernarvon Royal Welch Fusiliers which came together in 1906 to form Caernarvon United.

After the Great War, United players came together to reform Caernarvon Athletic and the club enjoyed great success in the North Wales League as well as a famous victory over Darlington in the first round of the FA Cup in 1929.^[3] In 1930 the Club went into liquidation and, despite resurfacing a few years later, it soon disappeared again.

[edit] Caernarfon Town

In 1937 a group of football fans formed Caernarfon Town and, following many successful seasons in the Welsh League (North), the club was granted permission by the Football Association of Wales to apply for membership of the Lancashire Combination in 1980. The Canaries won the Championship in 1981 before the league merged with the Cheshire County League to form the North West Counties Football League. In 1985 Caernarfon Town were runners up in the First Division of the North West Counties League and were elected to the Northern Premier League. The 1986/87 season saw the Canaries enjoy their best ever season when, under manager, John King, they defeated Stockport County and York City in the FA Cup, before going out to Second Division Barnsley following a third round replay.^[4] Caernarfon finished third in the Northern Premier League for consecutive seasons, arguably their best ever standing.

In 1995, the Caernarfon Town board of directors voted to join the recently-formed League of Wales. In 1999/2000 the Canaries were relegated but they bounced straight back winning the Cymru Alliance the following season. They have followed their return to the top flight with seasons of under-achievement, under-investment and a sense of resigned fatalism.

[edit] Current squad

Paul Pritchard

Bangor born goalkeeper who was drafted into The Canaries line up at the start of the 2005 season. Paul has Cymru Alliance experience with Holyhead Hotspur, Glnatraeth and Llanfair PG. (Dob: 26-05-1984)

Ben Heald

Goalkeeper signed from LlanfairPG where he progressed from the club's reserves. Ben has represented Anglesey in the Island games and remains on Cymru Alliance forms with his "old" club. (Dob: 30-12-1982)

Ian Owen

Competitive defender who has impressed at right back for The Canaries this season. Bangor born Ian has previously played for Anglesey rivals LlanfairPG and Llangefni in the Cymru Alliance. (Dob: 12-12-1987)

Mark Harris

Former Wrexham youngster who joined The Canaries in January 2007, Mark has also played for Liverpool youth sides. (Dob: 05-12-1986)

Mark Evans

Powerful Chester born and former Wrexham defender who has Unibond experience with North Wales coast rivals Colwyn Bay. (Dob: 16-089-1982)

Ritchie Owen

Composed left footer who gained Welsh Premiership experience with Bangor City before enjoying a lengthy spell with Porthmadog. Bangor born Ritchie, who moved to The Oval in March 2006, has also played for Glantraeth and Cemaes Bay. (Dob: 01-09-1980)

Lee Bamber

Experienced defender whose previous clubs include Maghull. (Dob: 18-01-1973)

James Glendenning

Tall centreback who signed from Vauxhall in February 2007. James has played for a host of clubs including Droylsden, Altricham, St Helens and Kendall Town. More locally he has also appeared for Colwyn Bay in the Unibond First Division. (Dob: 14-11-1978)

Eifion Jones

A former liverpool apprentice Bangor born Eifion Jones followed in his father Hywyn's footsteps when he signed for Bangor from Blackpool in July 2002. Eifion is a towering centre half but typical of his footballing background is composed on the ball and dangerous in attacking set plays. Gained English Football League experience under manager Steve McMahon at Bloomfield Road and moved to The Oval from Farrar Road in October 2005. A former Wales Under 21 International. (Dob: 28-09-1980)

Tommy Harrison

A tall left footed defender who joined The Canaries from Connahs Quay Nomads in December 2006. Liverpool born Tommy's previous clubs include Bangor City, Denbigh Town and Allerton. (Dob: 20-08-1982)

Jon Newell

Brave and wholehearted defender who joined Caernarfon from local rivals Bangor City in November 2006. Jon previously played for Welsh Alliance side Llanrug United. (Dob: 09-04-1980)

Chris Jones

Former Leeds United youngster who has also played for [[A.F.C. Bournemouth|Bournemouth, Limerick and most recently coast rivals Colwyn Bay. A Welsh Under 19 and 20 International, Chris can play in midfield or attack. (Dob: 09-10-1985)

Kieran Quinn

Liverpool born midfielder or fullback who was on the Wrexham academy before joining Caernarfon Town during the summer of 2006. (Dob: 01-09-1980)

Mark Thomas

Hard working midfielder who made 15 Welsh Premiership appearances for Bangor City, joined The Town from Cymru Alliance side Glantraeth shortly after the arrival of new manager Steve O'Shaughnessy. Bangor born Mark has also played for Rhayader Town and Cemaes Bay. (Dob: 21-10-1978)

Leyton Maxwell

Leyton began his career as an academy player at Liverpool and signed professional forms in July 1999, scoring on his only first team appearance against Hull City in the Worthington Cup two months later. A first team shirt at Anfield proved elusive and the St Asaph born schemer moved to Cardiff City in July 2001 after a season long loan spell at Stockport County. Leyton made a total of 38 League appearances for Cardiff before playing once for Swansea City and then Mansfield Town. His English League record shows 58 appearances plus another 15 in various cups, scoring 3 League goals plus one in the cup matches. He has played WP matches for Barry, Rhyl, Carmarthen and Bangor City. He also played 14 times for the Wales U21 team. (Dob: 03-10-1979)

Gerard Maloney

Liverpool born midfielder who joined the club from Runcorn Halton during the 2005-06 season. (Dob: 22-05-1980)

Craig Roberts

Pacey striker who joined Caernarfon from Glantraeth during the 2005-06 season. Craig has Welsh Premier experience with his "home town" side Bangor City. (Dob: 13-07-1983)

Darren Wright

Former Chester City and Droylsden striker who joined Caernarfon following the appointment of new manager Steve O'Shaughnessy in Novevember 2006. Darren has a reputation as a consistent goalscorer and will hope to build on that following his move from coast rivals Colwyn Bay. (Dob: 07-09-1979)

Paul Addo

A Liverpool based striker, Paul signed for Caernarfon from Vauxhall in February 2007. Paul has also played for Liverpool based Kingsley United at youth level and for Southport reserves. (Dob: 21-03-1985)

John Rowley

Bangor born but Bontnewydd based striker who played for Llanberis before joining Llangefni in the Cymru Alliance. Has earned a reputation as a consistent goalscorer in his short time in the CA. Signed Welsh Premiership forms for Caernarfon in December 2005. (Dob: 17-05-1981)