Players, staff and club officials from across the JD Cymru Leagues gathered at the Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff on Saturday evening for the FAW National League Awards, in association with Morgans Consult.
The night was a chance to celebrate all of the hard work that has put in been across the 2022/23 campaign and the successes that have been achieved.
Recap all of the award winners below.
JD Cymru Premier Player of the Season – Declan McManus (The New Saints)
The JD Cymru Premier’s golden boot winner for the second year in a row, Declan McManus ended the season on 29 league goals – a tally which included two hat-tricks. The Scot has established himself as one of the most clinical finishers that the top-flight has ever seen.
JD Cymru North Player of the Season – Tom McCready (Colwyn Bay)
Colwyn Bay skipper Tom McCready has led by example, becoming a combative influence at the base of the midfield and also chipping in with 11 league goals. It is no surprise that out of the three league games that Colwyn Bay dropped points in this season, McCready did not play in two of them.
JD Cymru South Player of the Season – Kayne Mclaggon (Barry Town United)
Having been a consistent scorer in the JD Cymru Premier, there was no doubt that Kayne Mclaggon would hit the ground running in the second tier. But to end the campaign with a staggering 34 goals in 27 games, including four hat-tricks, surpassed even the highest of expectations.
JD Cymru Premier Manager of the Season – Rhys Griffiths (Penybont)
A 2-1 comeback win over Newtown on the final day of the season secured third place for Rhys Griffiths’ Penybont side – confirming their highest ever finish in the JD Cymru Premier and a spot in European competition for the first time in their history.
JD Cymru North Manager of the Season – Steve Evans (Colwyn Bay)
JD Cymru Premier football awaits for Colwyn Bay next season after an incredible campaign under the guidance of Steve Evans. The Seagulls scored 101 goals, lost just one league game and won 25 consecutive league matches between August and March on their way to the title.
JD Cymru South Manager of the Season – Lee Kendall (Barry Town United)
It is never easy following a club figurehead, but Lee Kendall has overseen a smooth and successful transition at Barry Town United after replacing Gavin Chesterfield in November. The Linnets did not lose any of their 19 league games under his watch and won the title by 16 points.
JD Cymru Premier Young Player of the Season – Ryan Reynolds (Penybont)
His Hollywood namesake may have been making headlines in north Wales, but Penybont’s Ryan Reynolds was a consistently impressive performer in the south. The 22-year-old’s versatility was key in Bont qualifying for Europe, as he played across the midfield and in defence.
JD Cymru North Young Player of the Season – Dan Atkins (Prestatyn Town)
It has been an impressive debut season at Prestatyn Town for 21-year-old Dan Atkins, who finished as the joint top scorer in the JD Cymru North with 22 goals in 28 appearances. Four braces in the space of five games at the back end of 2022 was particularly impressive.
JD Cymru South Young Player of the Season – Noah Daley (Carmarthen Town)
After starting the season five goals in his first three games, it was clear that Noah Daley was set for a special year. The 21-year-old entertained Carmarthen Town’s fans with his electric and clinical displays across the frontline, finishing the campaign with 19 goals.
Special Recognition Award – Kevin ‘Bones’ Jenkins
Kevin Jenkins’ passing in January was a heart-breaking loss for the Welsh football community and this award was presented in tribute to ‘Bones’. He played key roles at both Aberystwyth Town and Penrhyncoch across men’s, women’s and youth teams and the impact that his passion and dedication had on players was immeasurable.
JD Cymru Premier Golden Boot – Declan McManus (The New Saints)
Despite missing almost two months of the season through injury, Declan McManus still hit a remarkable 29 goals in just 25 games to finish as top scorer in the top-flight for the second year in a row.
JD Cymru North Golden Boot – Dan Atkins (Prestatyn Town) and Dave Forbes (Holywell Town)
Dan Atkins’ four-goal haul on the final day of the season against Cefn Druids saw him draw level at the top of the scoring charts with Dave Forbes, who bagged a hat-trick on the final day himself. The pair finished on 22 league goals for the campaign.
JD Cymru South Golden Boot – Kayne Mclaggon (Barry Town United)
Kayne Mclaggon’s 34 league goals totalled 44% of the Barry Town United’s tally – no player made a higher percentage contribution to their side in the final third. The forward should be champing at the bit to return to the JD Cymru Premier.
JD Cymru Premier Golden Glove – Connor Roberts (The New Saints)
Having established himself as The New Saints’ first choice goalkeeper following Paul Harrison’s retirement, Connor Roberts went on to play every minute in the league in 2022/23 – keeping 19 clean sheets in the process.
JD Cymru North Golden Glove – Keighan Jones (Holywell Town)
Holywell Town may not have won promotion, but they did finish with the best defensive record in the JD Cymru North. Keighan Jones played all 30 matches and kept 17 clean sheets, while conceding just 22 goals.
JD Cymru South Golden Glove– Scott Coughlan (Llanelli Town) and Mike Lewis (Barry Town United)
The top two teams in the JD Cymru South were indebted to their goalkeepers on the most occasions, as Mike Lewis and Scott Coughlan both kept 10 clean sheets across the campaign.
