Welsh Prem Special: Llandudno FC.

Club name: Mbi Llandudno FC
Founded: 1988

Ground: Maesdu Park (1,013 capacity)

Manager: Alan Morgan

The 2015/16 Welsh Premier League season threw up some surprises during the course of the year of which perhaps the biggest one of all was seeing newcomers Llandudno FC finish third in the league and earning themselves a two legged Europa League qualifier match against IFK Goteborg of Sweden (although they eventually lost 7-1).

It was a remarkable feat, especially for a side that had just been promoted from the Cymru Alliance league the season before and we’re playing their first season in the top flight of Welsh football.

Of course it’s hard for any team to truly compete with the mighty New Saints, who are the only full time professional side in the league, as they’ve dominated the league year on year out since Bangor City’s unfortunate decline into tough times.

But it seems as though the rise of Llandudno may have given the dominant force of TNS something to think about for the 2016/17 season and hopefully we’ll see other teams challenge for the title eventually as it would be refreshing to see a new club lift the trophy.

Captain Tom Dix in action last season.

The club was founded in 1988 and originally played their matches at the council field, they moved to Maesdu in 1991, after their old pitch was destroyed in order to build an Asda and they have been there ever since. They’ve come on leaps and bounds financially since then, adding floodlights and seated areas to their home ground and meeting the standards that are required for WPL football.

Furthermore, in August of 2014, Wales national football team manager Chris Coleman visited Maesdu Park to officially open Llandudno’s new £420,000 3G pitch.

Captain Tom Dix was instrumental in the heart of the midfield last season as he proved to be a key player in most of Llandudno’s games. However, striker Marc Williams was the stand out individual for the club last season, scoring 16 goals in 32 league games, earning himself the WPL player of the season award in the process. The former Wrexham and Chester man will be looking to continue his sparkling form this season as the weight of expectation on his shoulders will be even greater after experienced striker Jamie Reed recently departed the club and returned to Bangor City.

Williams was superb last season!

The club will be looking to build on what they achieved last season and have even managed to bring in  some decent looking new names ahead of the 16/17 campaign as striker John Owen, defender Nathan Peate and Goalkeeper Patrik Rutter have all signed on the dotted line at Maesdu.

The opening two games of the 2016/17 season have seen Llandudno draw 0-0 against Rhyl and lose 5-0 to champions TNS. They will be looking to get their first 3 points of the season when they face Aberystwyth next weekend. Best of luck to them!