Experienced Lilywhites defender leaves for Flint reunion

Former Rhyl centre-back Stefan Halewood has returned to Huws Gray Alliance side Flint Town United.

The defender, who is still a popular figure at the club, becomes United’s second signing of the summer following the capture of Carl Rogers.

He is set to once again link up with former manager Paul Davies, who has now taken the role of Director of Football at Cae-y-Castell, and says the 29-year-old turned down several comparatively lucrative offers to seal a return.

Davies told the club’s official website:

“I know for certain he had offers from two Welsh Premier clubs which financially would have been hugely attractive to him. But as he says, he always knew he would one day return, and hopefully the timing is perfect for both parties as he will help us push for promotion.

“We are getting not just one of the best centre-halves in Welsh football but someone who is a leader both on and off the pitch.”

Halewood first left the club in 2011 to join Rhyl, spending four years at Belle Vue before moving to Australia in 2015.

He was an integral part of the triumphant Rhyl side that won the Huws Gray Alliance in 2013, and returned to the Lilywhites last year.

But the lure of coming back to the club where he first started his career clearly proved too much for the central-back, who added:

“It was tough leaving initially, because of the excellent relations I had with everyone involved at Flint.

“This club deserves to be pushing for promotion so I’m looking forward to getting back involved and working with the new management and players, to mount a serious title challenge.”

(Featured Image: Rhyl FC)