Clint Jones

Flint Mountain

We continue our series where we interview Flintshire-based clubs that compete within the Welsh football pyramid to see how they are performing during their respective 2023-24 season. In this blog, we interviewed the third-tier club and stars of this season’s Welsh Cup Flint Mountain.

Club Information

Introduction

Flint Mountain Football Club / Clwb Pêl-droed Mynydd-y-Fflint is a North East Welsh club that represents the Flintshire village of Flint Mountain / Mynydd-y-Fflint in the north-central part of the county. The village of approximately 2,000 inhabitants is naturally situated uphill from Flint, between the castle town and the village of Northop, with the A5119 road running through Flint Mountain and connecting it with both Flint to the north and the A55 Expressway to the south of the village.

The Flint Mountain team.
[IMAGE: Flint Mountain Website]

Flint Mountain are one of the newer names in Flintshire football having been founded as recently as 2009. For most of the club’s history, they played within the North East Wales League system, whilst also experiencing a nomadic existence. The club initially played at a number of pitches in and around Flint and the local area, before settling at Northop Hall Pavilion in nearby Northop Hall, the original home of Northop Hall Ladies team and is CPD Yr Wyddgrug‘s home for the 2023-24 season onwards. The 2018-19 season was one of Flint Mountain’s most successful in its short history, claiming the North East Wales League title and the North East Wales FA (NEWFA) Horace Wynne Cup, as part of a quadruple-winning season. It also saw them achieve their first promotion by moving into the Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) football system.

Prior to the 2019-20 season commencing, Flint Mountain announced they would be moving home once more, from the Northop Hall Pavilion to Halkyn United’s old pitch, Pant Newydd. This was because the ground was Welsh National League Division One league standard, and was vacant after both Halkyn United and the proposed phoenix side of Halkyn Mountain had failed to start the season. As a result of the relocation, the team changed its name to Halkyn & Flint Mountain to acknowledge its move to Pentre Halkyn and played there for three seasons, firstly competing in the WNL Division One before switching to the North East Wales Football League (NEWFL) Premier Division following the reorganisation of the Welsh football pyramid in the summer of 2020. However, at the end of the 2021-22 season, the side decided to move grounds once again, with Mountain returning back to their spiritual home of Flint to groundshare with Flint Town United at their Cae-y-Castell ground (known by the sponsored name of the Essity Stadium). This was in order to obtain a third-tier licence and be able to earn promotion from the North East Wales League Premier Division and into the Ardal Leagues. As a result of their move back to Flint, the club reverted back to its original name, and amended its badge, for the start of the 2022-23 season.

Flint Mountain currently plays in the Ardal North West League, a third-tier regional league in the Welsh football pyramid which theoretically covers the northwestern region of Wales, although realistically covers the whole of the North Wales coastline. They earned promotion to the league in 2022 after finishing as runners-up in the NEWFL Premier Division, eight points behind league champions Greenfield. In their first season competing in the third tier, Flint Mountain were one of the stories of the season when they surprisingly concluded their league campaign in fourth position in the table, and at one point, looked as if they were challenging for a second consecutive promotion.

Location of Flint Mountain’s ground in Flintshire.

Recent Form

DateCompetitionOpposition (h/a)Result
6th JanArdal North CupLlanrwst United (a)1-1
[5-3p]
16th DecFAW TrophyCPD Y Rhyl 1879 (a)2-3
9th DecWelsh CupSouth Gower (h)2-1
25th NovFAW TrophyCPD Pwllheli (a)4-0
11th NovWelsh CupCanton FC (h)2-1
The last five matches of Flint Mountain (as of 21st January 2024)

At the time of writing, Flint Mountain were situated in 11th position in the sixteen-team Ardal North West League, albeit having played considerably fewer games than the teams around and above them. From their nine league games played, they had achieved five wins, two draws, and two defeats to accumulate seventeen points in their league campaign.

The 2023-24 Ardal North West table (as of the 21st January 2024).
[IMAGE: Non-League Matters]

On initial viewing, it looks as if last season’s fourth-placed team is having a sluggish league campaign, however, if you consider that their schedule has been affected by competing in numerous cup competitions, and thus they have played as much as eight fewer games than other teams in the league, they are positioned in a somewhat false position in the Ardal North West league currently. Flint Mountain started their league season perfectly with two opening victories in early August against Llay Welfare and league challengers Y Rhyl 1879, with the latter result being an especially impressive 4-1 away win. However, the following five fixtures in the second half of August and throughout September were especially tough as they only managed one victory (5-2 against Saltney Town) and two draws versus Llangefni Town and Nantlle Vale. Flint Mountain achieved a fourth win in October when they beat Bethesda Athletic 2-1, and a fifth against Holyhead Hotspur with a 4-1 scoreline at home in early November. The goals coming Tom Ruffer, Calyn Spencer, Mike Hayes, and substitute Rowan Brooks. However, because of their cup commitments, their 4th November fixture has been Mountain’s last league game they have played up to the time of writing.

Flint Mountain are currently in the quarter-finals of the Ardal North League Cup after having beaten Llannefydd 3-1 in the first round and (just recently) Llanrwst United on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the second round. Substitute Sam Henry seemingly scored an 85th-minute winner but a converted Rwsters penalty deep into injury time sent the game into spotkicks, of which Mountain reigned supreme after converting all 5 of their penalties. They are also into the last eight of the NEWFA Cup having overcome Cymru North side Buckley Town on penalties in the third round, again via a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw. They are scheduled to play Nantlle Vale at the start of March in the former cup, whilst playing fifth-tier side Plas Madoc in late March in the latter competition. The club also progressed deep into the FAW Amateur Trophy reaching the fifth round of the national cup competition. En route to the last 32, Mountain beat Rhyl Allstars 9-1 in Round 3, Pwllheli 4-0 in Round 4, before falling to Ardal NW title rivals Y Rhyl 1879 2-3 at Belle Vue. Lloyd Ellams and Tom Ruffer scored the consolation goals before Rhyl struck with two late goals in the game to snatch victory away from Flint Mountain.

However, this season has been dominated by their performances in the Welsh Cup. Their campaign started in late August when they defeated North Wales Coast East Premier Division side Kinmel Bay 9-0 in the second qualifying round of Wales’ premier cup competition. In the first round they defeated Rhyl-based NFA 3-0 away from home, before achieving a ‘cupset’ in the second round by beating Cymru North highfliers and local rivals Holywell Town 3-1 at Cae-y-Castell with Rob Hughes scoring a brace and Lloyd Ellams getting the third. Next up was Ardal South West side Canton FC, and Mountain came from a goal down to win the Cardiff-based side 2-1 with Rob Hughes on the scoresheet again with Aaron Simpson scoring the decider in the middle of the second half. Into the fourth round and last 16 of the competition, Flint Mountain squared off against another Ardal SW side, this time in the form of South Gower. At their temporary ‘home’ of The New Saints’ Park Hall ground, strikes from Mike Hayes and Rob Hughes again ensured a nervy, yet successful 2-1 victory to send the third-tier side into the quarter-finals of the cup. Flint Mountain have a monumental task in the last eight as they are scheduled to face Cymru Premier side, and the 2017 Welsh Cup winners, Bala Town in mid-February with the Flintshire-based side traveling down to Maes Tegid.

Questions to Flint Mountain

Q. Firstly, how do you think this season has gone for Flint Mountain in the Ardal North West League so far?

So far the season has been very good. We are doing well in all the domestic cups but unfortunately, that’s cost us progressing in the league. Hopefully, now we can go out and have a bit of run and get some momentum going in the league and push on for promotion.

The location of the 16 clubs in North Wales competing in the 2023-24 Ardal NW league.

Q. What has been the best performance or result from the club so far this season?

There have been some very good performances up to date. Beating Y Rhyl 1879 away in our second game of the season [winning 4-1] is up there but it was also nice to beat our Flintshire rivals Holywell Town in the Welsh Cup [winning 3-1 in the second round] who are a very good side.

Q. Who do you think have been the standout players so far, and is there anyone who you think the readers should keep an eye on this season?

That’s a tough one to be honest as most players have been excellent and all are buying into what we want and expect. Joe Holt has come in from England and been exceptional, not just in games, but he has set standards on and off the pitch. Simmo (Aaron Simpson) is unbelievable and we are very lucky to have him in our squad.

Ieuan Hewitt, our captain, has also been in great form and is someone who also leads by example, but as said previously, we could probably praise every player in their own right at the moment.

Q. What are the club’s aims for this season, and likewise, what are the long-term aims for the club?

Promotion is key and has been from the start.

We will keep enjoying the cup runs but we have to get down the ‘bread and butter‘ and start climbing the league table. There is a long way to go and, as you have seen lately, there are still many twists to go.

We are an ambitious club and most definitely a club on the up who have had some success in the past and it’s important we keep that going and keep progressing on and off the pitch. The club is run by proper ambitious footballing people which is always good for any club.

The 2022-23 Ardal North West table.
[IMAGE: Wikipedia]

Q. Obviously, Flint Mountain are enjoying a monumental run in the Welsh Cup this season – what do you think have been the key moments during the run, and how is the club feeling for the upcoming match against Bala Town?

The Welsh Cup is such a prestigious competition and is always the one you want to do well in. Every game there has been a good buzz around the place knowing we are capable of having a good run in the cup which has proved right. We fully deserve to be in the quarter-finals and it’s fantastic for the club to be shown live on TV [on Sgorio] for the first time in its history. It will be a special day and we will be going into the game believing we can beat Bala. They are a very good side but it’s cup football so who knows?

Q. The club has some of the best and unique shirt designs in the Welsh leagues this season – how did that all come about and has it helped increase the exposure of the club?

The 2023-24 shirts worn by Flint Mountain and created by Arrow Sportswear – home (left), away (centre), and third (right) shirts.
[IMAGES: Arrow Sportswear]

Having previously been with several different teamwear partners, we were sent a concept kit design by Arrow Sportswear and were immediately blown away. After an initial conversation, we quickly decided that they were a perfect fit for us and we are extremely happy. The unique designs and quality of the products have definitely been a hit with the team and our fanbase whilst helping to raise our profile with purchases as far away as the USA!

Q. Flint Mountain currently shares an excellent ground with both Flint Town United & Connah’s Quay Nomads – are there any advantages or difficulties with such an arrangement and are the club looking into finding their own ground in the future?

The club is very privileged to play at the Essity Stadium. Not only are the facilities excellent but it is a proper football stadium with a great atmosphere on a match day. We see ourselves remaining there long-term, but we will always review our long-term plans.

The Essity Stadium / Cae-y-Castell before the 3G surface was installed.

Q. Finally, if someone was considering coming to the Cae-y-Castell to watch or follow the team for the first time, what do you think is the club’s greatest asset to encourage them to return?

The match day atmosphere is unique at Flint Mountain games with excellent facilities for fans. The exciting attacking football that we play is a real draw that sees people attending regularly. Our fanbase is increasing every season and we really value the support we receive from them.

A massive thank you to the Ardal North West side Flint Mountain for answering our questions on their 2023-24 season so far and their future goals. We wish all sections of the club the very best of luck for the rest of the season, the whole of 2024, and the seasons ahead! Remember you can find Flint Mountain’s social media accounts in the links towards the top of the blogpage.

If you have any comments, suggestions, reactions, or even your own answers to the above questions, please write them in the comments box below. Likewise, you can either email us at the94thmin@gmail.com or send a message at @The94thMin on Twitter/X.

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