Men’s U19s Lift Development North Title

The fantastic 2025/26 season across Connah’s Quay Nomads continued as our Men’s Steven Gerrard Academy U19s lifted the FAW Development North title on Sunday afternoon.

This marks the fifth time our Development squad have been crowned champions of the division, with the first coming back in 2012/13 under the guidance of current Technical Director Jay Catton and the late, great Jamie Wynne.

This year, the lads have excelled in their development, with the club’s scholarship and partner with the Steven Gerrard Academy allowing the group to balance pitch-based, S&C and extra analysis sessions alongside their academic studies.

Our Men’s U19s have been led by Anthony Weaver, who grew up in Connah’s Quay and has coached in the club’s academy for 14 years. Weaver’s side secured the title in an emphatic 6-1 win over Caernarfon Town at the beginning of April and lifted the trophy this past Sunday after a thrilling 4-4 draw with The New Saints at The Poppies 3G.

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Captain Joe Bennett, who had the honour of lifting the title on Sunday afternoon, shared his thoughts on how much this special moment meant to him and the group.

Bennett, 18, has been at the Nomads for almost four years and has progressed from our U15s squad all the way up to our Men’s First Team, where he has made three senior appearances this season, two of which have come in the JD Cymru Premier.

"Winning this league means everything to the lads, the coaches and staff at the club,” said Bennett. “It is what we have worked towards the whole year. Through a very demanding pre-season, a long season of training and games, finally lifting that trophy is a massive achievement for all of us.

"As the captain, I take huge pride in this as it shows how much of a tight-knit group we are on and off the pitch as well as the togetherness we have built.

"We are buzzing with the achievement and all our focus switches straight to the National Final now. We know there is still more to come from us and we will continue to push ourselves every training session while also not looking too far ahead and staying humble. The standard has to stay high and we are all determined to finish the season with another achievement of reaching Europe.

A chance for European football
The Nomads won the Development North title by six points and finished with an outstanding 72% win rate.

However, the hard work is not done just yet as there is a great chance for the lads to perform on the European stage.

We will face Cardiff Met, who won the FAW Development South title, in a Play-Off Final to determine National champions. A date, kick-off time and venue for this fixture will be confirmed on our social media channels in due course.

The winners of that match will participate in the UEFA Youth League later in the year in a two-legged tie against another team from Europe. If we are successful, it would be an historic debut in the competition for us and would carry on a busy summer for the club, with our Men’s First Team also entering the UEFA Conference League First Qualifying Round.

We have had success in the National Play-Off Final before as we defeated Briton Ferry Llansawel on penalties in the 2022/23 campaign, but it was not until the season after where the UEFA Youth League expanded, allowing domestic youth champions of all member associations to enjoy a European adventure.

Our title-winning Men’s U19s will continue to train and prepare themselves properly in the coming weeks ahead of this exciting play-off.

Senior opportunities
This success continues to highlight the strength of the club’s pathway, with young players progressing from the academy environment into senior football while competing for silverware at development level.

There have been several breakout stars from our Men’s U19s who have showcased their talent in senior domestic competitions for the Nomads this season.

Bennett, along with Conor Partridge, James Hughes, Ryley Berry and Jack Waterhouse have all made competitive appearances in the JD Cymru Premier and Nathaniel MG Cup for us this season.

Partridge made his first senior start in our 1-1 draw against Colwyn Bay on the JD Cymru Premier final day, while Berry became the fifth-youngest player in history to start for the Nomads when he featured in our 1-1 draw with Barry Town United in March.

All of these opportunities are not a token gesture, but are instead credit to each player’s ability and commitment. There have been deserved opportunities for each youngster handed out by First Team manager John Disney and his staff, who have continued to showcase the quality in our Category A academy programme and have trusted matchday squads with an average of 21 and under to compete in the Welsh top-flight.

U19s Head Coach Anthony Weaver said: “The lads are focused on their development. Success can look different in development football, yes results matter, but we are preparing these lads to play at the highest level of football they are capable of.”

Bennett added: “l am really proud of the progress we have made as a group and we are grateful for the opportunities the staff give us. They have improved us all massively as people as well as players which has been vital to our success this season. The title is a reflection of that, and we’re all hungry to keep building on it.”

We congratulate all players within our Men’s Steven Gerrard Academy U19s on their FAW Development North title, along with staff members Weaver, Matt Griffiths, Andy Butler, James Duff and Hayleigh Busby.  Let’s hope the lads can triumph in the National Play-Off Final!

Date Published: Tuesday, 21st April, 2026 - 10:35am by Adam Angerer