Alex Darlington and Sam Phillips swap Cefn Druids for Aberystwyth Town

Sam Phillips, Owen Orford, and Alex Darlington have become Aberystwyth Town’s first new signings ahead of the new season.

Darlington joins from Cefn Druids, bringing more than a decade of experience of the Cymru Premier to Park Avenue.

After spending time in Wrexham’s academy, Darlington joined The New Saints in 2008. During his decade at TNS, Darlington scored 94 goals in 234 league appearances and won seven league titles, four Welsh cups, and five league cups.

The striker joined Bangor in 2018, and since then has had spells at Airbus UK Broughton, Mosta in Molta and more recently at Cefn Druids.

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Also joining from Cefn Druids is winger Sam Phillips. During his sole season at The Rock, Phillips made 20 appearances and registered two assists. The 22-year-old started his footballing journey at Wolves, where he spent 10 years at their academy before leaving in 2017.

After brief spells at FC Haughmond and IFK Östersund, Phillips joined Newtown in 2018, making 28 league appearances during his two years at the club. Phillips is also a former Wales U17 international, having played alongside the likes of Ethan Ampadu, Matt Smith, and Rabbi Matondo in 2015.

Speaking to Aber’s website, Phillips said; “Aber have always been a club held in high regard by others within the league and once I heard of the interest it was a no-brainer.

“Antonio Corbisiero was instrumental in my decision to join as everything about the way he coaches and the way his team plays suits me perfectly, so I know he’ll get the best out of me along with the rest of the team.”

Owen Orford joins the Seasiders having most recently been a part of Forest Green Rovers’ under-18 side. Primarily a right-back, Orford spent six years at Cardiff’s academy, before joining Forest Green on a two-year scholarship in 2018. Orford left Rovers after his scholarship came to an end in 2020, and has been unattached since.

The arrival of the trio follows the news that Jamie Veale, Harry Franklin, Lee Jenkins, Mathew Jones, Jack Thorn, Rhys Davies, Steffan Davies, Jack Rimmer, and Richard Ricketts have all signed on for next season.

Meanwhile, Marc Williams, Aber’s captain last term, has signed for Llandudno, whilst the experienced Jamie Reed and Ian Kearney have both joined Prestatyn.

Geoff Kellaway and Harri Horwood have both been signed by Penrhyncoch, and midfielder Gwion Owen has joined Colwyn Bay. Aber will also have to make do without goalkeeper Connor Roberts, who has returned to TNS after spending two consecutive seasons on loan at Park Avenue.

(Featured Image: John Smith/FAW)