Connah’s Quay Nomads confirm appointment of experienced former EFL player Billy Paynter as their new first team manager.
He comes in the replace Neil Gibson, who parted ways with the Welsh outfit in a spell that began in August 2022.
Connah’s Quay Nomads finished the 2023/24 season sitting 2nd with 59 points from 32 games played, a fair bit behind the unstoppable TNS who had 92 points and went the season unbeaten, compared to the 9 defeats for the Nomads.
Connah’s Quay Nomads did win the Welsh Cup (their second Welsh Cup win), defeating The New Saints 2–1 in the final. They qualified for the Conference League based on league position, the spot for winning the cup was passed to the third-placed team of the 2023–24 Cymru Premier, but lost in the Conference League First Qualifying Round 2-1 on aggregate to Slovenian club Bravo.
Connah’s Quay picked up a draw and a defeat in their first team games of the 2024/25 season, before Paynter came in a got their first win, currently 7th in the table.
Delighted and excited to be give the opportunity to manage @the_nomads and work with a fantastic group both on and off the pitch. pic.twitter.com/x1DQCeztwX
— Billy Paynter (@Paynts13) August 24, 2024
CLUB STATEMENT:
Following an impressive interview with the Connah’s Quay Nomads board, the UEFA A Licensed former Port Vale, Leeds United and Swindon Town player emerged as the standout candidate for the role.
As a player, Liverpool-born Paynter made over 500 senior appearances with the majority of them coming in the English Football League, scoring 131 goals – starting his career at Part Vale where he would make 144 appearances over a six year spell at the club before going on to make over 120 appearances for Swindon Town.
Paynter’s playing career would also see spells at Southend United, Leeds United, Bradford City, Brighton and Hove Albion, Sheffield United and Doncaster Rovers where he would earn the Yorkshire-based side primotion to the Championship in the 2012/13 season.
Following his playing career, Paynter would go on to coach at Everton’s Academy before returning to Port Vale as the Academy’s Professional Development Phase Lead Coach in October 2020. Paynter would oversee the first team for a brief spell during the Covid pandemic and was kept on as Assistant to new Manager Darrell Clarke before gaining promotion via the play-offs before leaving the club in May 2022.
Paynter’s first role as a Manager saw him take over the role at Runcorn Linnets in the Northern Premier League Division One West following the sacking of Dave Wild – Paynter would guide the team to second place in his only full season as Manager competing against the likes of Macclesfield Town and Radcliffe before stepping down from the role in May this year.
Chairman Gary Dewhurst commented: “The last time we conducted a formal recruitment process for a Manager/Head Coach, we appointed a guy called Andy Morrison and to say that went well is quite an understatement.
We received 25 applications from Wales, England and Europe, shortlisting six, who we interviewed this past week. The standard was incredibly high, a testament to the respect and esteem the club has gained in the last 10 years.
Billy really impressed us with his hunger and positive attitude, alongside his knowledge of players who he feels he can bring in to strengthen what is already a strong squad.
The Nomads are currently in a transitional period, losing the likes of Harry Franklin, Jordan Davies, Josh Williams, Mike Wilde and Andy Firth among others, however, we have made some excellent signings thus far and are confident we can add a few quality players to the squad before the closing of the transfer window.
Welsh football is on a high with TNS’ recent performance in Europe and this is a great opportunity for players and coaches to get involved.
Connah’s Quay Nomads have enjoyed tremendous success over the last 10 years and I will do my best to ensure this is maintained.
We will be advertising for Assistant Coaches next week and this will include potential player/coaches, looking to transition.
I must end by thanking Jay Catton, Leighton Sumner and Jordan Parry for stepping in to stabilise the club over the last 10 days alongside Kyle Taylor and Anthony Gomez who have also been brilliant.”
🗣️🎙️@Paynts13 gives his thoughts after The Nomads’ 1-0 victory over Flint Town United in Bank Holiday Monday’s Flintshire Derby pic.twitter.com/U5axvfdF1s
— Connah’s Quay Nomads FC (@the_nomads) August 26, 2024
And the Paynter era began with derby day delight, beating Flint Town United 1-0, Rhys Hughes scoring the only goal of the game.
Interviewer: Billy, first game in charge and a 1-0 victory. You must be pleased with that?
Billy: As a new manager coming in. That’s what you want, a win. Clean sheet. And I think that the dressing room afterwards was buzzing with the result.
Interviewer: Were you really happy with the amount of possession that we had in the second half, especially?
Billy: Yeah. Again, were very concerned in possession. Could have been more clinical in the final third to ease that pressure towards the end where Flint had, you know, a couple of chances themselves, so it causes a bit of panic. But with the group that we’ve got, were very composed. On our part, it could have been more than one, but, you know, a few tweaks here and there. But apart from that, as a manager, that’s all you can ask for, a win.
Interviewer: In terms of Reece Hughes getting his first goal for the club, you must be pleased for him as well. He was stepping past the man very regularly in midfield there and looked like he could have maybe scored one or two more, maybe.
Billy: Really pleased with him. I’ve noticed, coming in and I’ve noticed, watching a couple of times through the academy, he’s got that ability, great quality to receive on the back foot and drive. I will be putting more pressure on him to get goals, but the time of the run to get into that box. Great work for Luca down the line and a great pullback and it was all about time and composure. Finish. Great stuff.
Line Ups:
Flint Town United – J. Flint, B. Beaumont (H. Peagram 71), M. Burke, I. Lambert, H. Owen (c), I. Lee, J. Phillips, B. Hughes, F. Yonsian, B. Wynne, (G. Maire 80) J. Jones.
Unused Subs – L. Murphy (GK), H. Cartwright, L. Sumner, B. Hoban
Connah’s Quay Nomads – G. Ratcliffe, J. Disney. C. Marriott, D. Poole, B. Nash, K. Edwards, J. Kenny (A. Williams 60), N. Edwards, T. Berry (L. Hogan 60), R. Hughes, F. Mwandwe
Unused Subs – R. Berry (GK), D. Roberts, B. Maher, J. Pownall, H. Scott
Here’s how fans reacted as Connah’s Quay Nomads confirm the appointment of experienced former EFL player Billy Paynter as manager…
@DazEvans11: Top appointment 👏🏽 good luck @Paynts13 👍🏽
@joannej1970: Brilliant appointment will do well
@DW7secondtonone: @DW7secondtonone great appointment he’s responsible for Port Vale youngsters Dippepa, Walter’s, Shorrock and more and he did an unbelievable job at Runcorn.
@Jones_KellyL: 💛 Love Billy! Great appointment! Good Luck Billy xx
@janmoey: top fella and even better appointment #topgaffa
@CongletonFC: All the best of luck Billy 🐻
@TJBVideography: Great manager, great club!
@_DanSquire: Bold appointment – Interesting to see how this goes
@CQNFans: BILLY PAYNTERS RED AND WHITE ARMY
@PBY88: What an appointment. All the best @Paynts13 👏🏻💙
PAYNTER’S CAREER:
Youth career1994–2000 – Port Vale
Senior career2000–2006 – Port Vale – 158 games (34 goals)2005–2006 → Hull City – 23 games (3 goals)2006–2007 – Southend United – 11 games (1 goal)2007 → Bradford City (loan) – 15 games (4 goals)2007–2010 – Swindon Town – 139 games (51 goals)2010–2012 – Leeds United – 28 games (3 goals)2011–2012 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) – 10 games (0 goals)2012–2014 – Doncaster Rovers – 52 games (14 goals)2014 → Sheffield United (loan) – 13 games (0 goals)2014–2015 – Carlisle United – 21 games (2 goals)2015–2017 – Hartlepool United – 61 games (19 goals)2017 – Warrington TownTotal – 530 games (131 goals)
International career2006 – Football League England U21
Managerial career2023–2024 – Runcorn Linnets2024– Connah’s Quay
