From Brisbane to the Huws Gray Alliance, to full time football and making international history, Jack Lewis of Prestatyn Town boasts a formidable footballing career record so far. He spoke to Clwb Pel Droed on his hopes for the Seasider’s season and why he’s enjoying life in the Alliance.
Top of the league and still unbeaten, Prestatyn look set for a title and promotion challenge this season. Lewis notes the good start for his side so far;
“I think we have had a brilliant start to the season – we have been scoring plenty of goals and keeping it tight at the back. We have drawn our last two games but there has been plenty of positives to take out of them.”
But Lewis hasn’t always played in Wales, revealing how some savvy self-marketing helped bag himself a place playing football in Brisbane, Australia.
“Before I went to Australia I knew was going to be staying in Brisbane for the most amount of time so just had a quick look online at the teams in the local league and sent off a few emails with some personal highlights from Sgorio. Luckily I had a few teams get back to me and I signed for Queensland Lions.”
Reflecting on his time there, Lewis acknowledges some differences with the welsh game.
“The football in Australia is great. It’s very technical and not many long balls – the pitches and each clubs set-ups were amazing as well. Just a bit hot!”
Lewis’ impressive career also involved full time status at Neath AFC, and despite the club’s untimely demise, he looks back on it fondly.
“Neath was an unbelievable experience. Every young lad’s dream to play professionally so I loved it. Unfortunately it all went a bit pear shaped when the club stopped paying the players but I still really enjoyed it. We had a very good team and some top lads.”
With a title challenge already on the way, Lewis has his eyes on the prize along with all of his Prestatyn teammates.
“As a team we want to win as much as we can so winning the league and cup in the Cymru Alliance is the goal, and to get as far as possible in the Welsh Cup.”
When asked about his career highlight, Lewis reveals his part in Welsh football history as an U23 international.
“The highlight of my career was playing for Wales’s u23s in Estonia and winning – we were the first Welsh team at that level to win a game.”
Life in the Huws Gray Alliance can be volatile, but Lewis acknowledges his fan’s faith over some turbulent years for Prestatyn who have gone from Europe and a Welsh Cup win to relegation back into the HGA.
“The fans at Prestatyn are brilliant even through our last couple of years where we have struggled a bit, they have stayed very loyal and the support we get home and away is fantastic.”
Signing off, Lewis lets us know local geography is not over his head with a favourite chant covering a very obscure reference between Rhyl and Prestatyn townsfolk.
“My favourite chant is the one they sing to Rhyl fans because of all the shops moving from Rhyl town to Prestatyn town to theme of Pink Floyd – Another Brick in the Wall.
I know all the Prestatyn lads have a little giggle at that.”
Jack Lewis and Prestatyn Town are next in action on Saturday 29 October when they travel to Gresford for league action.
Stay up to date with the result from that game and all feeder league fixtures right here at Y Clwb Pel Droed and following @YClwbPelDroed
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