GAP Connah S Quay FC are in focus this week with a profile covering their history, current form, and management. The club, which finished second in the Cymru Premier last season, is preparing for a key away match against leaders The New Saints on October 31st.
The club's origins trace back to 1946, according to a profile published by Haverfordwest County AFC. It began as Connah's Quay Juniors before adopting the Nomads name five years later. Early success came in the Welsh Amateur Cup, which they won three times during the 1950s after moving into the Welsh League North.
Founder membership of the Cymru Alliance in 1990 and the League of Wales in 1992 followed. Their most recent promotion to the top flight came in the 2012-13 season. This paved the way for historic European adventures, including a first-ever aggregate victory over Norwegian side Stabæk.
Haverfordwest County AFC's preview notes the Nomads have won their last five league games. This run began after an opening-day 2-1 defeat to Caernarfon Town. Victories over Holywell, Trefelin, Ammanford, Cambrian United, and a 3-1 Bank Holiday Monday win against Flint Town United have propelled them up the table.
That form has them sitting third, behind Barry Town United and The New Saints. They are the joint-highest scorers in the league alongside Barry with 17 goals. Last season, the team ended in second place with 58 points from 32 games, scoring 61 goals and conceding 38.
John Disney is in his second season as head coach, a role he stepped into after a long playing career with the club. The Irishman first joined the Nomads in January 2016 and made over 310 appearances across two spells, captaining the side from 2023. His first season in charge saw the club secure another second-place finish.
Disney has won 23 of his 44 games as manager, averaging 1.82 points per game. He was a fans' favourite as a player and featured in the club's inaugural European campaign, albeit memorably receiving a red card while warming down on the sidelines during a match against Stabæk.
Recent years have brought significant success for the Deeside club. They won back-to-back Cymru Premier titles in 2019-20 and 2020-21. The 2023-24 campaign saw them finish second and lift the Welsh Cup for only the second time in their history, defeating champions The New Saints in the final.
They returned to the final the following season but lost 2-1 to TNS. Adopting a hybrid model at the start of last season, they again finished second to qualify for Europe. Their continental campaign ended with a narrow 3-2 aggregate defeat to Kosovan side Ballkani. The full standings from last season show they finished 22 points behind the champions.
James Jones is in his first season as club captain, taking over the armband this summer. The defender began his career with The New Saints before spells in England with Altrincham, Barrow, and Chester. He made more than 185 appearances for Altrincham across two stints and also experienced League Two football with Barrow. Fans can view the complete squad list online. The team's next challenge is that away trip to face The New Saints, who currently sit first, on the last day of October.
