Midfielder Gareth Caughter a boost for buoyant Holyhead Hotspur

Jan 7 2009 by Dave Jones, Holyhead and Anglesey Mail

AN experienced midfielder with over 100 Welsh Premier League appearances to his credit will strengthen Holyhead Hotspur’s Cymru Alliance title credentials in 2009.

Gareth Caughter, 28, spent four seasons at Porthmadog before joining Airbus UK Broughton in September 2007. He has featured in 161 WPL matches and netted 15 goals.

“He’s a good signing for the club and our manager Campbell Harrison has got a few more in the pipeline,” said Hotspur press officer Gareth Davies.

To add to the goalkeeping competition at the New Oval Stadium, Elliott Smith has returned from a loan spell at Bangor City to challenge current Holyhead number one Liam Shanahan.

Davies added: “The club is determined to push for promotion to the Welsh Premier; hopefully we’ll get there next season as the following season the league is set for reorganisation (in 2010/11 the league could be split into two divisions with only an elite Super 10 eligible to challenge for Europe).

“We know it will be difficult; there’s not just Llangefni and Bala to think about but also Flint and even Buckley, there’s a few fish to fry yet.

“But we believe we’ve got the quality to stay up there. The club is blossoming on all levels; we’ve got one of the best youth set-ups in North Wales and our reserves, under Emlyn Manley Williams and Neil Bell, are having their best season in years in the Gwynedd League.

“This shows the strength of the club and the fact the first and second teams are working more together this season is bearing fruit.

“I think our recent home game against Llangefni was a definitive time in the club’s history. The place was packed and there was a real sense of ‘we go forward from here’.”

This Saturday, with neither Llangefni or Bala in league action, Hotspur can tighten the squeeze on the top two with victory at Denbigh Town.

“Denbigh are a good side; it’s a very competitive league this season,” added Davies. “Drop your guard against anyone and teams will punish you.”

Holyhead’s impressive and spacious new-look clubhouse is available for hire. For details contact chairman Alan Hinchcliffe on (01407) 763943 or Richard Parry on 762904.