Connah’s Quay bolster front line with three signings as Wilde returns
Michael Wilde of Connahs Quay in action. Connahs Quay v FC Alashkert in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round at Park Avenue on the 7th July 2021. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Connah’s Quay Nomads have added a midfielder and two strikers to their front line with the additions of Callum Bratley, Joe Malkin, and Mike Wilde.
Bratley and Wilde make the move from Deeside rivals Flint Town United, whilst Malkin has joined from Nantwich Town in the English non-league.
Bratley had been with Flint for the past three seasons and was a prominent first-team member.
The 26-year-old made 84 appearances in total having played in both the Cymru North and the Cymru Premier, scoring 19 goals and earning two assists.
“Callum is a great addition to our squad and I look forward to working with him,” said Harrison after the arrival of Bratley.
“He can play in 3-4 different positions which are going to be key this season with reducing our squad size. Callum is a great athlete, a good ball carrier, and is very comfortable in possession.”
After a season away, Wilde has returned to the club that he enjoyed a successful spell at, scoring 73 goals in 154 competitive matches.
Wilde won the league twice, the Welsh Cup and the Nathaniel MG Cup after joining in June 2016.
In his last season at the club, he won the Player of the Year Award, before making a shock move to the Silkmen.
Wilde scored 14 goals in 22 league matches for Flint last season and 18 in total.
Craig Harrison commented; “It’s great to have Micheal back – we go back a long way and he is in the top 5 all-time strikers in Welsh Premier League history and is a proven goalscorer year in-year out and has been for over 10 years.
He fits straight back into the club; style, expectation, demands, players, staff, and supporters. He is great in the dressing room and as I previously mentioned, I have personally worked with him for the best part of 10 years in different roles and different clubs.”
Joining Wilde on the front line is Joe Malkin, who after four years with Nantwich, is moving on for a new challenge.
He is the son of Chris Malkin, who was a legend at Tranmere Rovers, whilst he also played at Millwall and Blackpool.
Malkin scored 27 goals in 98 appearances for Nantwich with his best season being 2019/20 with 14 goals before the season was cut short by the pandemic.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Joe – he is a good young talent with great potential,” said Harrison on his arrival.
“He’s quick, athletic, powerful, and can score goals whilst playing as a lone striker as a two or anywhere across front three.”
