Colwyn Bay secure JD Cymru North title

Colwyn Bay sealed the JD Cymru North title with a 1-0 win away at Penrhyncoch on the final day of the season.

It has been an incredible campaign from the Seagulls, who will bounce straight back to the JD Cymru Premier following relegation a year ago.

Having appointed Mike Wilde as their new manager last summer, Bay were beaten 4-0 at home by Bangor 1876 on the opening day but remarkably that would prove to be their only league defeat of the entire campaign.

The Seagulls have gone 29 games unbeaten since then, winning 26 of those, as they have gone head-to-head with Airbus UK Broughton for the title. Wilde’s men ultimately finish three points ahead of the Wingmakers, which could be put down to a thrilling 6-3 win over their rivals in September.

Craig Lindfield – who played for Airbus last season – netted a hat-trick in that game and finishes as Bay’s top scorer in the league with 20 goals. Dan Atkins is not far behind with 16, including six in the final five games of the season to help secure the title.

Bay have also had the best defence in the JD Cymru North, conceding just 22 goals in 30 matches, with goalkeeper Rhys Williams keeping the most clean sheets in the division (14) supported by the likes of Sol Forde, Sam Hart and Lewis Sirrell.

“It’s been fantastic,” manager Mike Wilde said. “Everyone from supporters, board members and ultimately the players. 29 games ago we got beat at home, but to just put performances in week after week like they have done, with their belief and the way they’ve listened to information, it’s thoroughly deserved.”

“This football club deserves to be in the Cymru Premier and I’m so happy that we’ve been able to get back there this season,” captain Sam Hart added. “Fair play to Airbus, they led the way for a long time and that brought the best out of us, but finally today we’ve got over the line so I’m absolutely made up.”