The original Academy was set-up in 2001, in accordance with the criteria required as laid down by UEFA, which stated that all League of Wales clubs must operate a Youth Academy, with long term objectives, raising the standards of coach education & ‘Grass Roots’ training facilities.

The then Chairman of CTFC, appointed people with known experience in local youth football to achieve the high standards needed to meet the strict criteria, which would be regulated by the FAW Trust.

Over the following three seasons, the Academy was so successful at meeting the UEFA standards, that the FAW used the Academy set-up as the flag ship that all LOW clubs should follow, in addition to which, the FAW applied to UEFA for an increased slice of the Champions League money, that is used throughout Europe to fund the Youth Academy system.

During the same three year period, a new Chairman took over CTFC & it soon became apparent the original Academy & its group of increasingly qualified staff, were not high on the Chairman’s priorities.

The decision was taken, by the Academy administration, to cut all links with CTFC & continue to run as an independent non-profit making registered charity. One of the problems with the UEFA criteria stipulated that the LOW Academies were not allowed to play games against Academies outside the Principality & that all players would be signed exclusively to the relevant LOW Academy. This system had major effects on the scouting network that has been in operation for several years, set up by professional league clubs over the boarder. Players such as Ryan Giggs, Mark Hughes, Ian Rush & Micheal Owen would not have been allowed to join clubs from outside Wales, unless their families moved out of the country, under the new criteria.

Since the Academy no longer had ties with CTFC, many of our talented players have signed for professional clubs, giving them the maximum opportunity to progress through the football coaching system, as far as their individual skills & personality will allow. We recruit players from a wide area of North West Wales, from Conwy, Colwyn Bay, down to Llyn & Eifionydd areas, from the age of 9, through to the under 15’s.

We will maintain our efforts to be seen as a progressive organisation, giving our players & coaching staff, every opportunity to achieve their dreams of playing/coaching at the highest possible level.