It has been said that not since Charles’ investiture as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1969 has the imagination of the North Wales town been captured in such colourful fashion as by the giant-killing F.A. Cup exploits of John King’s Multipart League side.
After battling their way through the qualifying rounds and tough encounters against the likes of Marine — who themselves recorded a famous F.A. Cup victory over Barnsley in the 1975-76 season — and Chester-le-Street, Caernarfon reached the first round proper for the first time since 1929.
In front of a packed Oval they beat Fourth Division Stockport County 1-0 and then held Third Division York City to a goalless draw.
Then came their greatest triumph. A 2-1 win in the replay at Bootham Crescent, courtesy of goals by British Rail engineer Austin Salmon and plumber Steve Craven, saw them join the giant- killer ranks and had manager King proclaiming:
“It’s a reputation we’re all very, very proud of.
“With the squad of players we have managed to bring together, there’s no reason we can’t keep it going against Barnsley.”
That squad to which he refers has a generous sprinkling of experience, as the following details show.
Goalkeeper Russel Hughes was signed early this season as a stand-in for the injured Neil McAdam and is now the regular number one choice. He was previously with Tranmere Rovers and South Liverpool.
Normally in front of him is one of the most experienced players in non-league football, 37- years-old Ken Jones, who made nearly 1,000 appearances for Northwich Victoria following his signing from Ellesmere Port in 1968. He was captain of the Northwich team which beat Bangor City at Wembley to win the F.A. Trophy in 1984. The driving force behind the team, he has also had a spell with West Bromwich Albion.
A knee ligament injury threatened to keep him out of Saturday’s clash at The Oval, but that was one game he was determined not to miss, and he took his usual place in the line-up.
Huw Williams did miss that first game, because of suspension, thus robbing Caernarfon of a stalwart central defender. A strong, reliable player, he is a product of the Welsh League side, having previously spent three years with Wrex ham.
Because of the uncertainty over Jones and the absence of Williams, manager King had the services of former West Brom, Orient and
Cambridge United striker Joe Mayo, standing by. Mayo recently bought a hotel at nearby Criccieth, and, at the age of 35, came out of retirement just before Christmas.
Glyn Griftiths is another product of local football. A skilful back, he has given Caernarfon good service, both in the first team and reserves. He was previously with Wrexham and Pwllheli.
Strong and resilient, David Higgins was signed from South Liverpool, and before that he spent a period with Tranmere Rovers, for whom he made 28 Football League appearances.
Talented full-back Robyn Jones now lives in London, but his skills are called upon by manager John King to fill a defensive role in times of crisis, as indeed, he did on Saturday.
Dave Wignall is an accomplished midfield player who made 41 League appearances for Doncaster Rovers, so is certainly no stranger to this part of the world. His other clubs include Gainsborough Trinity, Colchester United,
Preston North End and Rhyl, from whom he joined Caernarfon last season.
A skilful midfield player, Dave Martindale was on the books of Liverpool as an apprentice at the age of 16, and for two years was a regular member of their Central League side, but in the end he became one of the many youngsters who have suffered from the intense competition at Anfield. Now in his second spell with Caernarfon, he has also played with Southport and South Liverpool.
Club captain Phil Wilson is a very experienced player in midfield. Thirty-three-years-old, he is another former Northwich Victoria veteran who has played in three F.A. Trophy finals at Wembley. Manager King’s first signing, he has also played with Blackburn, Runcorn, Mossley and Tranmere Rovers. A physical education teacher, he has earned a reputation as a hard tackler.
Bobby Tynan is one of John King’s most recent signings. Another player with a good deal of Football League experience, he is a powerful midfield dynamo who had a spell with Tranmere Rovers and Blackpool.
On his day, Steve Craven looks Football League material. Signed to complete manager John King’s rebuilding of the side, he is another player of wide experience and has already scored in the region of 20 goals this season. He made 114 League appearances with Tranmere Rovers and 29 with Crewe, and he has also played for Altrincham and Northwich Victoria.
Although only 20-years-old, Ray Woods is another player with a wealth of experience with Tranmere Rovers in League football, and also with Northwich, Runcorn and Bangor in non- league. He is a dynamic winger, with terrific pace.
At 14 stone and six foot, Jamaica-born Austin Salmon is a handful for any defence. Another prolific scorer, he has also been with Cong leton, Witton, Winsford, and Whitchurch and Nantwich. He works for British Rail at Crewe.
The attacking line-up is completed by Ian Cockbain, a former Lancashire County cricketer, who was signed by manager John King from Ellesmere Port and Neston.
Also in the squad is utility player Stuart Clynch, a 19-year-old who has also played with Northwich and Runcorn. He is a youngster who shows a lot of skill and promise.