‘Very highly’ – Player who trained with Everton this summer gets glowing verdict after transfer
Lee Fowler has made Flint Town United a place where players released from professional academies can flourish. (Pic by James Baylis/FAW)
Charlie Wilson has joined Flint Town United after leaving Norwich City – with the manager saying the former Everton youngster made an immediate impression in training.
Flint Town United have completed the signing of former Everton and Norwich City youngster Charlie Wilson ahead of the Cymru Premier derby with Connah’s Quay Nomads.
The 21-year-old arrives at the Essity Stadium after spending three years with Norwich City, where he predominantly featured for the Canaries’ Under-21 side.
Wilson originally joined Norwich from Everton in 2023, having made 26 appearances for the Toffees’ Under-18 side across the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons.
Everton training helped Wilson stay fit ahead of Flint move
During his time at Everton, Wilson played under Paul Tait and club legend Leighton Baines, and has spent the past five weeks training with the Premier League club to maintain his fitness following his departure from Norwich.
The defender has now opted to continue his career in the Cymru Premier with Flint, with manager Lee Fowler revealing that the club had received glowing reports from the Toffees about both his ability and character.
“Charlie came in to training, and it was clear that, with his profile leaving Norwich in the summer, he could really be a good fit for us,” the Flint boss said in an Instagram post.
“He has been training with Everton to keep fit over the last five weeks. One of the coaches, who I played with, spoke very highly of his character and equally as a player, which we saw last week.
“I’m disappointed that his clearance never came through in time for Penybont; it has now been done ahead of the derby game.”
Wilson will therefore be available for Flint’s meeting with Connah’s Quay, having completed the necessary clearance.
His arrival represents another addition to a Flint squad that has undergone significant change during the summer transfer window.
Flint expect one more signing before deadline
Flint have already seen eight players leave the club this summer, including Ben Wynne, who joined Southport.
Darren Stephenson, Alec Mudimu and Evan Smith have also departed, joining Cymru Premier rivals Connah’s Quay Nomads, Holywell Town and Airbus UK Broughton respectively.
The departures have prompted a major rebuild, with Flint turning to both the English non-league scene and familiar faces from the Welsh pyramid.
Former Bala Town striker Joe Malkin has arrived, reuniting with Lassana Mendes, while former Wrexham defender Harry Dean has also joined.
Isaac Modi has made the move from Radcliffe, while former Blackpool defender Harrison McGahey has arrived from The New Saints.
Flint have also recruited Tunde Owolabi from Hyde United, Ben Woods from Stafford and Temi Ajibola from Irish side Finn Harps. And the club are not finished yet.
With the Cymru Premier transfer deadline approaching at 11 pm on Tuesday, September 1, Flint are expecting to complete one more deal.
“We are expecting one more signing,” the manager added.
“We have agreed and signed the deal, but we are awaiting international clearance again.”
The club will now hope that the necessary paperwork is completed in time for the final addition to join Wilson and Flint’s other summer recruits as they look to push on in the Cymru Premier this season.
Flint head into derby still waiting for first victory
The point against Penybont ended a difficult opening run for Flint Town United, but Lee Fowler’s side remain without a win after their first five league games.
Flint had looked set to suffer another defeat when Tom Mehew gave the visitors the lead, but Lassana Mendes produced a late equaliser a minute before the end of normal time to earn his side a share of the spoils.
It brought some relief after four successive defeats against Llandudno, Barry Town United, Cambrian United and Briton Ferry Llansawel.
Attention now turns to Monday afternoon’s local derby against Connah’s Quay Nomads, with Wilson in contention to make his senior debut for the club.
The former Norwich City youngster could hardly ask for a more demanding introduction to life in the Cymru Premier, with Flint looking to claim their first three points of the campaign against their local rivals.
