Where are they now? Connah’s Quay Nomads’ European play-off winners
Andy Morrison was appointed manager of Connah’s Quay Nomads in November 2015 with the club in the relegation zone.
The former Manchester City defender turned the Nomads’ season around, finishing fourth in the Cymru Premier and earning a place in the European play-offs.
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After defeating Carmarthen Town 2-0 in the semi-final, the Nomads faced Airbus UK Broughton for a place in Europe.
A late winner from Wes Baynes secured a 1-0 victory for Connah’s Quay Nomads, as the club qualified for European competition for the first time in their history.
In a post-match interview with Sgorio, Andy Morrison said that “We’re going to build a massive force here at Connah’s Quay and everyone’s going to know about us in years to come.”
It proved to be the case, as the Nomads’ manager led the club to the Cymru Premier title this season, earning qualification for next season’s Champions League in the process.
As the Nomads were crowned champions last week, we take a look at the side that overcame Airbus UK Broughton in the 2016 European play-off final.
Jon Rushton
Between the sticks for Andy Morrison’s side in the final was Jon Rushton.
The goalkeeper was instrumental in the play-off, saving Liam Thomas’ penalty in the semi-final and keeping a clean sheet in both games.
Rushton left The Nomads to join Prestatyn Town in August 2019.
John Disney
Defender John Disney joined the Nomads in January 2016, just four months prior to the club’s play-off success.
Disney’s arrival played a part in the Nomads’ rise from the relegation zone to a fourth place Cymru Premier finish.
Despite leaving the club in May 2017, Disney rejoined Connah’s Quay Nomads in June 2018, after spells with Altrincham Town and Bala Town, and is now a Cymru Premier winner.
Paul Linwood
Centre-half Paul Linwood brought a wealth of experience to Deeside, having played for the likes of Tranmere Rovers, Wrexham, Chester, Grimsby Town and Fleetwood Town.
Linwood played his part in a Nomads defence that kept two clean sheets on the way to European play-off success.
The defender left the club at the end of the 2015-16 season, and later had spells at Ramsbottom United and Trafford.
Jamie Crowther
Another who left the Nomads shortly after winning the European play-offs was Jamie Crowther.
Having featured thirty times in the 2015-2016 season, Crowther left Deeside to join Bala, but signed for Altrincham Town promptly after.
Crowther now plays for Carmarthen Town, having also had spells with Aberystwyth and Airbus UK Broughton since leaving the Nomads.
George Horan
Centre-back George Horan was a key part in Andy Morrison’s side’s play-off success and has since remained a paramount figure at the Deeside Stadium.
Horan has played his part in the Nomads’ title-winning side this season, keeping more clean sheets than any other Cymru Premier side.
The Nomads’ captain could lead his side in the first Champions League game in the club’s history, as Andy Morrison’s side have secured European football for next season.
Callum Morris
Another who is still with the club, Callum Morris, like George Horan, has also been a key part in the Nomads’ recent success.
Morris scored twice away at Kilmarnock in the Europa League earlier this season in what is arguably the club’s most famous result.
The midfielder has also been a regular feature in this season’s Cymru Premier campaign.
Leslie Davies
A familiar name to Cymru Premier fans, Les Davies was the Nomads’ striker as they won the European play-offs.
Davies is mostly known for his eight year spell at Bangor City, where he won the Cymru Premier in 2011.
After leaving the Nomads in 2017, Davies had spells at Bala Town, Bangor City, Llandudno, Aberystwyth Town and now plays for phoenix club Bangor 1876.
Nick Rushton
Formerly of Wrexham, Nick Rushton certainly played his part in the play-off campaign.
The attacker netted the first in the 2-0 semi-final win over Carmarthen Town and was dangerous throughout the final.
Rushton now plays for fellow Cymru Premier club Newtown, after leaving Connah’s Quay Nomads in 2017.
Sean Smith
Connah’s Quay Nomads’ left-back in the final was Sean Smith, who was in his second spell at the club, having also had a loan spell from Wrexham in the 2013-2014 season.
Smith featured regularly at the Deeside Stadium for the two seasons that followed, before departing the club in 2018.
The left-back is now in his second season at Bala Town, having joined the Lakesiders from Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Nathan Woolfe
Another European play-off winner who is still contracted to the club is Nathan Woolfe.
Woolfe was in his first season at the club when the Nomads qualified for Europe for the first time in the club’s history.
After finding regular game-time hard to come by in recent seasons, Woolfe has had two loan spells at Airbus UK Broughton.
Wes Baynes
The Nomads’ play-off hero, Wes Baynes’ contribution to the club’s European qualification was significant.
Baynes not only scored in the semi-final to overcome Carmarthen Town, but also netted the winner in the final with just ten minutes left.
The right-back departed the Deeside Stadium in 2017 and has since played for Airbus UK Broughton, Llandudno and Aberystwyth Town.
Kevin McIntyre
In similar vein to George Horan, Paul Linwood and Les Davies, Kevin McIntyre brought a wealth of invaluable experience to Connah’s Quay Nomads’ squad.
The Liverpool-born midfielder had previously played for the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Macclesfield Town, Chester City and Shrewsbury Town, before joining the Nomads in 2014.
McIntyre left the club at the end of the 2015-2016 season and has since retired.
Ashley Ruane
Striker Ashley Ruane came on as a substitute for Andy Morrison’s men in the final with just twenty minutes left to play.
After achieving European play-off success, Ruane spent a further season at the Deeside Stadium, before joining Cefn Druids in 2016.
Ruane has since played for Aberystwyth Town and Bangor City.
Sean Miller
Having joined the club in 2014, Sean Miller made a good start to his Nomads career, as he was named Player’s Player and Supporters Player of the Season, along with the Cymru Premier’s Young Player of the Season at the end of his first year.
In the European qualification clinching season, Miller featured 27 times, but was released by the club at the end of the season.
The winger now plays for Curzon Ashton in the Vanarama National League North.
Chris Churchman
After joining the Nomads in 2016, Chris Churchman’s stay at the Deeside Stadium turned out to be a short one.
Formerly of Stockport County and Macclesfield Town, the midfielder left Connah’s Quay Nomads at the end the 2015-2016 season.
Churchman now plays for Bamber Bridge in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.
Ben Nash
Young defender Ben Nash was an unused substitute in the European play-off final.
In the seasons that followed, Nash had loan spells at Gresford and Denbigh, before joining the latter permanently in 2017.
Nash spent the last two seasons at Rhyl, before the club recently dissolved.
Thomas Bibby
Another young player on the Nomads’ bench was Thomas Bibby.
Bibby has since left the club and is now in the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals squad.
Jordan Manley
An unused substitute in the final, Jordan Manley provided cover for goalkeeper Jon Rushton.
Manley is now a physiotherapist for the NHS, having also played for University of Central Lancashire.
(Featured Image: NCM Media)
