PICTURE by Wynne Evans shows Matty Jones, Kevin Jones and Liam Roberts with the Benllech Car Boot Trophy.
CONTINUING this series which proved popular with AFE’s readers after the first instalment which focused on Bryngwran Bulls’ 2018/19 Anglesey League winning team.
This time around, the spotlight is on Kevin Jones’ Arriva Bangor team who secured a cup double in their first season in Saturday league football upon joining the Anglesey League in 2017/18.
They won the Elias Cup (3-2 on pens after a 2-2 draw with Bodorgan) and the Benllech Car Boot Trophy (6-4 v Caergybi).
Here’s a look at what some of that squad are up to these days …
Dion Lewis
A top shot-stopper who was one of the best goalkeeper’s in the division that particular season.
Stayed with the club in 2018/19 but moved onto Gwynedd League champions Menai Tigers in the 2019/10 season, who he had previously played for in the past.
Has re-signed with Aaron Rowlands’ side for the new season ahead.
Mutsu Oyama
Named in my Anglesey League Team of the Season for 2017/18, Oyama was quality throughout that campaign.
The Japanese full-back’s work rate, speed and desire down the flank was unrivalled at times and he was a huge part of the Busmen’s success that season.
He has since completed his studies at Bangor University and returned home to Japan. Sorely missed by all at Arriva I’m sure!
Stephen Edwards
54 years old in that season but yet was one of the best defenders in the league too.
A tough and experienced centre back, Edwards has been highly-reliable for Arriva since they joined the Anglesey League in 2017 and rarely been out of the starting eleven.
He’s certainly a great example to all the younger players out there and has once again re-signed with Arriva for the new season.
Mathew Williams
On his day, was the best defender in the division in 2017/18 and in the following season too.
For a centre back, he was very very quick but also loved a good challenge and knew just where to be position-wise.
After a year out of the game, he’s now back with Arriva ahead of the new season whenever that may be able to start.
Chris Dawson
A former Llandegfan Antelope player who was a solid option for this talent-packed Arriva squad as he could play comfortably anywhere across the back line.
Played for the club again in 2018/19 before retiring from the game the season after.
Kyle Jones
Mostly deployed as a full-back in the Arriva team, although could also play as a goalkeeper too as he proved on quite a few occasions.
After winning the double with Arriva that season, Jones went on to play as the goalkeeper for Llanfairfechan Reserves where he has remained ever since.
Josh Royds
Had a season to remember this particular year.
The midfielder/attacker helped the Busmen reach the Car Boot Cup final with two goals in the 6-4 semi-final win over high-flying Bryngwran Bulls that year and set them on their way to picking up their second piece of silverware for the season.
In 2018/19, Royds departed for a new challenge with Ogwen Tigers (who had won the Anglesey League as Mynydd Tigers i 2017/18) in the Gwynedd League. A year later, he signed for my Llandegfan side and has now moved on to Llanfairpwll ahead of the new season.
Now a good friend of mine, he’s someone who I’ve got a lot of time for and is a talented footballer who, at 25 years old, still has a lot to give.
Kieron Davies
A criminally underrated player in this Arriva team, especially in the 2017/18 season when he managed 15 goals for Kevin Jones’ side.
Davies is a player who can, and very much has, played nearly everywhere on the pitch and always gives 110% no matter where he’s put in that starting eleven.
He’s remained with Arriva since that season and is still there now.
Liam Jones
Didn’t play as often as some of the others in that season, but when he did you could always see that he had talent.
The skilful midfielder/attacker spent 2018/19 with Arriva too before departing for Bethesda Athletic where he made several appearances in the Gwynedd League.
He has now signed for Llandegfan ahead of the 20/21 campaign.
Jay Williams
A solid, solid midfielder who has always been someone who’s A) very hard to get passed and B) controls the midfield very well.
After a great season in 2017/18, Williams was again instrumental in 2018/19 when Arriva would add the Benllech Car Boot Trophy to their collection for a second time after beating Bryngwran Bulls 3-2 (AET) in the final.
The former Amlwch Town man then moved on to Glantraeth in the Gwynedd League in 2019/20 and is still there now.
Kieran Fritter
Another underrated player in the Arriva squad who could play in defence and midfield.
Since leaving Arriva Bangor midway through 2018, he’s been a very influential player for Llandegfan. In 2018/19, he captained the side on several occasions and picked up the Player of the Season award alongside goalkeeper Duane Hunt.
Last season, he scored three goals for the club, including a sensational late free kick equaliser in the dramatic 4-4 draw at Holyhead Town Reserves in September 2019.
He has once again re-signed with Llandeg for 2020/21.
Liam Roberts
A real leader in the Arriva team who was another grafter in the midfield for Kevin Jones’ side.
Like many others in the team, Roberts was on top form in 2017/18 and was instrumental for the club again the season after with his presence in the middle of the park.
In 2019/20, a new challenge awaited him with Valley but he has now returned to the Busmen ahead of the new campaign.
Scott Hughes
The forward has been something of a one man army for Arriva at times over their three seasons in the Anglesey League, scoring 46 goals in 2017/18, 60 goals in 2018/19 and 41 goals in 2019/20.
Undoubtedly one of the best finishers in the division, Hughes just has that knack of being able to get in behind the defence with his quick feet, as well as creating great space and chances for himself.
He has now moved on to tier four side Glantraeth ahead of the new season and so it will be interesting to see if he will relish the chance to step up a division.
Andy Clarke
Vastly experienced forward who had smashed in a combined 176 goals for the Beaumaris Town, Glantraeth, Bethesda and Maes-Y-Bryn before arriving at Menai Tigers at the star of 2017/18.
After notching up 7 goals for the Tigers in the Gwynedd League, Clrake moved to Arriva midway through the season and hit a further 17 goals to add to his tally, taking his total since 2010 to exactly 200 goals at the end of that season.
Since then, he has scored 31 goals for Glantraeth in the Gwynedd League in 2018/19, as well as two more on his debut for Arriva last season and a further seven goals upon moving to Bethesda Athletic.
He is now back at Glantraeth ahead of next season.
Darren Thomas
A true loyal servant to the club over the years and a much-loved character too.
‘The Dazzler’s’ chances to play may have been limited but he’s a lovely lad who’s highly-committed to Kevin Jones and co and remains at the club to this day.
Sammie Williams
Like many others in the squad, could play in a number of different positions, but was mainly a winger in 2017/18. Highlight of his season came when he scored in the Benllech Car Boot trophy final.
Last season, Williams was a back-up goalkeeper to Chris Griffiths and played very well whenever he had the chance to step up in net.
Ahead of the 2020/21 campaign,he has signed for Dale Moffat’s Caergybi side.
Matty Jones
Club captain since the Sunday League days and very well-respected at the club. Scorer of many great goals down the years too and is fantastic with the ball at his feet both for creating chances for team-mates and running and creating space for himself too.
Has remained with Arriva to this day and re-signed again for next season.
Danial Ogwen Jones
Scorer of some big goals for the Busmen in 2017/18. Scored in the Car Boot Trophy semi final win over Bryngwran Bulls and also scored a brace in the final when they beat Caergybi 6-4 in a thriller.
A tall and talented forward, who plays rugby as well as football, he remained with the club last season and will again play for them when the new season starts.
Gavin Pritchard
Scored the equalising goal as Arriva came from 2-0 down to 2-2 and force the Elias Cup final v Bodorgan into Extra Time and eventually penalties, where they won 3-2. Also popped up with some other goals along the way in that season and was amore than useful player.
Currently not playing for anyone as far as I’m aware.
Kevin Jones (Manager)
Mr Arriva himself and the man who established the club as a Sunday League side many years ago.
Three trophies in three seasons in the Anglesey League tells you everything you need to know about both Kev and Arriva as a whole.
I’m sure that he and new coaching assistants Paul Feaver and Darren Jones will enjoy another great season with a fresh-looking squad come the start of the new campaign.
HOW the cup finals of 2017/18 unfolded for Arriva Bangor …
May 2018 – Benllech Car Boot Trophy
- Goals from Luke Winter and Gerwyn Williams give Bodorgan a 2-0 lead over Arriva at half time.
- Andy Clarke pulls one back through a penalty
- Gavin Pritchard strikes to make it 2–2
- Extra Time follows but a third goal doesn’t happen for either side
- Penalties ensue and Arriva win 3-2 on spot-kicks.
May 2018 – Elias Cup final
- Goals from Danial Ogwen Jones (2), Kieron Davies and Liam Roberts put Arriva 4-1 up at half time, with Gary Jo Owen scoring for Cybi.
- Caergybi score 3 second half goals through Owen again twice and his brother Liam Patrick Williams once
- BUT goals from Sammie Williams and Scott Hughes secure a second cup in the space of a month for Arriva
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