CONWY Borough are back in the Huws Gray Alliance after a one-year absence after one of the most memorable campaigns in the club’s history.

The Tangerines picked up a sensational treble in Gareth Thomas’ first season in charge, picking up the Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division One crown, the Cookson Cup and FAW Trophy after a stunning end to the campaign which resulted in promotion to the second tier.

Many did expect Boro’ to make an instant return to the HGA and although Llangefni Town pushed them all the way, they coped with the favourites tag superbly well given the bullseye on their back throughout the season.

Things promise to be a lot tougher this time around in what is going to be another pulsating campaign in the ultra-competitive division, but this is a squad that has plenty of talent with experience of plying their trade in the HGA to great effect, something that will stand them in good stead going forward.

The Boro’ boss has also made some shrewd signings that have significantly strengthened the squad, with the arrival of Llandudno legend Lee Thomas bolstering a formidable forward line that already includes the prolific duo of Dean Seager and Corrig McGonigle.

Midfielders Tom Creamer and Leigh Craven will be counted on to provide the ammunition given their vision and the overall impact they can have on a football match at any given opportunity, with Cory Williams another that could play a huge contributing role in any success that comes their way providing he stays away from the injury problems that hampered him through the second half of the previous campaign.

It will be interesting to see how this squad reacts to the inevitable troubled periods of the season that normally befall a newly promoted side trying to find their feet, but as last term proved Thomas has built a good unity and camaraderie within the set-up that eventually got them over the line to reach their pre-season objectives.

They are going to be a tough nut to crack, of that there is no doubt, and their form at Y Morfa is going to be key especially during the difficult periods of the season.

Key man: Corrig McGonigle

After years of running riot in the Welsh Alliance, McGonigle will finally get a prolonged stint in the second tier of the Welsh pyramid to further enhance his reputation as one of the brightest young finishers anywhere in the region.

He has a fantastic eye for goal and is ruthless when presented with an opportunity, but he is going to be facing a huge step up in terms of the quality of centre halves he will come across throughout the season, meaning his 40-plus goal total achieved last season is unrealistic.

Nevertheless, McGonigle looks more than ready for the challenge that lies ahead for him and his team and it would be a surprise if the Boro’ talisman did not give a very good account of himself.

Player to watch: Brendun Hogan

Thomas’ heart must have been in his mouth when the talented full-back went down with an injury during pre-season, but thankfully the knock is not too severe, and Hogan is sure to play a huge part during the upcoming campaign.

He has a fantastic engine and is willing to get forward at every opportunity, and this will be a useful outlet when his team is under pressure at stages during the season.

The standard of forward player in the HGA this year is absolutely frightening, and Hogan will be at the top of his game on a consistent basis to give his squad the best possible chance of re-establishing themselves, but there is no doubting his ability and he has already shown he is more than capable of performing on the big stage.

Verdict:

This is a big club that deserves to be playing in the second tier, but it is now up to them all as a unit to pull together and express themselves sufficiently so that they are looking up the table rather than over their shoulders.

They have the players at their disposal to make this possible, and the Tangerines have all the tools in their locker to emerge as one of the surprise packages of the season providing they hit the ground running.

Prediction: 11th (Huws Gray Alliance)

First five fixtures: Aug 11: Guilsfield (H). Aug 18: Airbus Broughton (A). Aug 22: Holyhead Hotspur (H). Aug 25: Buckley Town (A). Aug 31: Denbigh Town (H).