Flint Town United appoint former Tranmere Rovers and Newport County man as new first-team manager
Danny Holmes has taken on the second job of his managerial career. (Pic by Sam Eaden/FAW)
Flint Town United have appointed former Vauxhall Motors boss Danny Holmes as their new first-team manager as they look to turn around a difficult start to the Cymru Premier season.
Holmes succeeds Lee Fowler, whose departure from the Essity Stadium was confirmed earlier this week after four years in charge.
The appointment marks the start of a new era for the Silkmen, who currently sit second from bottom of the Cymru Premier table with just two points from their opening 10 matches.
Holmes arrives with significant experience of Welsh football, both as a player and coach, and will be tasked with guiding Flint away from trouble.
Holmes arrives after successful spell with Vauxhall Motors
The new Flint boss spent his most recent spell in management with Vauxhall Motors, where he helped the club avoid relegation from the Northern Premier League West during his first season.
He then led Motors into the play-offs during his first full campaign in charge.
Vauxhall reached the NPL West play-off semi-final in 2024/25 before suffering defeat to eventual promoted side Hednesford Town.
They followed that up with a seventh-place finish in the recently concluded campaign, ending the season just three points outside the top five.
Despite being out of work since June, Holmes has remained active and continued to prepare for his next opportunity.
He has spent the intervening months session planning, developing ideas, studying matches and working on set pieces, while reflecting on his previous experience in management. Now, he gets the chance to put those ideas into practice at Flint.
A decorated playing career in Welsh football
Holmes brings considerable playing experience to the role, having won the Cymru Premier on three occasions.
Two of those titles came during a hugely successful spell with Connah’s Quay Nomads, where he became a mainstay in the starting XI after making his debut in 2018.
He made 141 competitive starts for the Nomads over five years and was part of the side which reached the Irn-Bru Cup final.
Holmes also helped the club secure back-to-back Cymru Premier and Nathaniel MG Cup titles during his time at Deeside Stadium.
His career also includes spells with a number of clubs in the English Football League and National League, including Tranmere Rovers, Newport County, York City and AFC Fylde.
He made 153 appearances for Tranmere between 2007 and 2015, including 98 appearances in League One and 71 in League Two.
That experience at both the professional and semi-professional levels will now be brought to bear on Flint’s bid to climb the Cymru Premier table.
Holmes’ first five Flint Town United fixtures
Holmes’ first matches in charge will provide an immediate test, with Flint facing a mixture of league opposition and local challenges over the opening weeks of his tenure.
His first five fixtures are:
- September 26: Ammanford (home)
- October 3: Haverfordwest County (away)
- October 10: Colwyn Bay (home)
- October 23: Trefelin (away)
- October 30: Holywell Town (home)
The new manager will therefore have little time to settle into the job, with Flint’s position near the bottom of the Cymru Premier making points an immediate priority.
After four years under Fowler, Holmes now takes charge with the club looking for a change in fortunes and a route away from the relegation battle.
