Key Points
- Barry Owen is the new first-team manager for CPD Y Rhyl 1879.
- Owen succeeds Paul Moore, who had left the club before his appointment.
- Liam Groves joins Owen as assistant manager, coming in from Mold Alexandra.
- Both will start in their new posts on Sunday, November 1.
- This appointment comes after a selection process whereby Rhyl looked at 35 applications.
- Owen managed Mold Alexandra, St Asaph City, and Llanrwst United in the past.
- Rhyl said that Owen was the standout candidate after going through a “thorough selection process.”
- Mold Alexandra are currently third in the JD Cymru North league.
- Owen led Mold Alexandra to the last 16 of the JD Welsh Cup in 2024-25.
- Owen and Groves take up their duties after the club’s away match against Mold Alexandra on Saturday.
- Adam Roche, the managing director, praised Owen’s ambition, planning, and winning attitude.
Wales (Wales Times) October 29, 2026 — CPD Y Rhyl 1879 have confirmed the appointment of Barry Owen as the club’s new first-team manager, following the departure of Paul Moore. Owen will be joined at the Hops & Barley Community Stadium by assistant manager Liam Groves, with both officially taking up their roles on Sunday, November 1.
As reported by the Rhyl Journal, the Lilywhites said Owen was chosen after a “thorough selection process”, during which he emerged as a “standout candidate”. The club said his experience at the relevant level, understanding of North Wales football and ambition made him the right person to lead CPD Y Rhyl 1879 into what it described as its “next chapter”.
Owen arrives from Mold Alexandra, where he had been first-team manager. He will be joined by Groves, who served as his assistant at Mold. Their move to Rhyl comes immediately after Rhyl’s away fixture against Mold Alexandra on Saturday, with the new management team beginning work the following day.
Why Did Rhyl Choose Barry Owen?
The club pointed to Owen’s recent work at Mold Alexandra as a central reason for his appointment. According to CPD Y Rhyl 1879’s statement, Mold Alexandra are currently sitting third in the JD Cymru North.
The club also highlighted Owen’s record in cup competition. As reported by the Rhyl Journal, Rhyl said Owen guided Mold Alexandra to the last 16 of the JD Welsh Cup during the 2024-25 season.
In its announcement, the club said: “The club believes Owen’s experience at this level, understanding of North Wales football and ambition make him the right person to lead CPD Y Rhyl 1879 into its next chapter.”
Owen’s prior managerial roles include spells at Mold Alexandra, uk/local/st-asaph/">St Asaph City and Llanrwst United. The club did not provide further details of his records at those clubs in its announcement.
What Did Barry Owen Say About The Role?
Owen said his discussions with Rhyl managing director Adam Roche convinced him that the club’s direction matched his own ambitions. As reported by the Rhyl Journal, Owen said: “Once Adam (Roche, managing director) and I spoke and met in person, it was clear that the club’s vision and ambition matched my own.”
He added: “I’m immensely proud to be given this opportunity to manage one of the biggest clubs in Welsh football and I will do my absolute best to deliver.”
Owen also thanked Mold Alexandra for their support during the process. He said: “I’d like to place on record my thanks to everyone connected with Mold Alexandra for their support and for making it a smooth process. I wish them all the best moving forward.”
What Did Adam Roche Say About The Appointment?
Rhyl managing director Adam Roche said the club had considered a large number of candidates before selecting Owen. As reported by the Rhyl Journal, Roche said Rhyl had reviewed 35 applications and spoken with “some highly respected and hugely experienced managers”.
Roche said Owen’s ambition for Rhyl “really stood out”. He added that Owen’s “winning mentality immediately caught my attention”, but said it was the manager’s passion, vision and planning that impressed him most.
“I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Barry to Rhyl,” Roche said.
“I firmly believe we’ve appointed someone who shares our ambition, understands what this club means to the town, its supporters, the wider community and has the drive and determination to help us achieve something special.”
Roche described the appointment as “another important step” in the club’s journey. He said there was “so much to be excited about at CPD Y Rhyl 1879, both on and off the pitch”.
He added:
“I genuinely believe our players, everyone connected with the club, and our fantastic supporters will be excited by what lies ahead. The future is bright, the ambition is real, and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”
The club concluded its announcement by welcoming Owen and wishing him success as he takes charge of the Lilywhites.
When Will The New Management Team Start?
Owen and Groves will officially begin their roles on Sunday, November 1. Their start follows Rhyl’s away match against Mold Alexandra on Saturday.
That timing means Owen will face his former club in Rhyl’s final fixture before formally taking charge. The club did not state whether Owen or Groves would have any involvement in team preparation for that match.
What Happens After Paul Moore’s Departure?
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 confirmed that Owen’s appointment follows the departure of Paul Moore. The club’s announcement did not provide further details about the circumstances or timing of Moore’s exit.
The appointment of Owen and Groves now provides Rhyl with a new management structure ahead of their next period of fixtures. The club has positioned the change as part of a wider plan for its development on and off the pitch.
Background Of The Development
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 play at the Hops & Barley Community Stadium and are known as the Lilywhites. The club described itself in its announcement as “one of the biggest clubs in Welsh football”, a phrase also used by Owen when discussing his appointment.
Owen arrives with recent managerial experience in North Wales football. Before joining Rhyl, he managed Mold Alexandra, St Asaph City and Llanrwst United. His most recent role at Mold Alexandra included a third-place position in the JD Cymru North and a run to the JD Welsh Cup last 16 in 2024-25.
Rhyl’s search for a new manager attracted 35 applications, according to managing director Adam Roche. The club said it spoke with several experienced candidates before appointing Owen and Groves.
Prediction: How Could This Affect Rhyl Supporters?
For Rhyl supporters, the appointment could bring a clearer sense of direction after the change in the dugout. Owen’s experience in North Wales football and his recent results with Mold Alexandra may give fans reason to expect a manager familiar with the local football environment.
The arrival of Owen and Groves together could also provide continuity in coaching methods, having worked as manager and assistant at Mold Alexandra. Their official start after the Mold Alexandra fixture means supporters will likely begin assessing the new management team’s influence from Rhyl’s subsequent matches.
For players, the new appointment may create immediate competition for places and a change in training or tactical expectations. The club has emphasised ambition and planning, suggesting that the new management team will be expected to build on Rhyl’s off-field progress as well as improve results on the pitch.
