Barry Town United are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper George Ratcliffe ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The 24-year-old shot-stopper rejoins the club after a standout season with Connah’s Quay Nomads, where he kept 10 clean sheets in 30 Cymru Premier appearances – firmly establishing himself as one of the league’s most consistent goalkeepers.
“George is someone we’ve admired for a long time,” said Steve Jenkins, Head of Football at Barry Town United. “His shot-stopping ability, command of the box, and presence in the dressing room are exactly what we need heading into the new season.”
Speaking on his return, George shared his excitement about rejoining the club that helped launch his senior career.
“I can’t wait to put the Barry Town shirt on, so happy to be here and I’m buzzing to get going”
Town fans may remember George’s previous stint with us in the 2019/2020 season where he made 14 appearances, keeping 4 clean sheets. He was also part of the matchday squad for our European game vs Cliftonville.
Barry Town’s retained players list for the upcoming 2025-2026 Cymru Premier season is as follows
Retained: Mikey George Callum Sainty Will Richards Rhys Schwank Robbie Wilmott Ieuan Owen Ben Margetson Owen Cuddihy Ellis Williams Ollie Hulbert Ryan Kavanagh Eliot Richards
Returning for Pre season: Drew Perrett Callum Huggins
Departing: Liam Armstrong Luc Rees Josh Yorwerth Aiden Lewis Kayne McLaggon Sam Snaith Harrison Bright
We appreciate the effort and commitment from of all those players who are departing us.
The squad returns to training at the end of June and new signings will be announced in due course.
You can see the lads in action in our upcoming pre-season friendlies:
Sam Durrant’s 90th minute goal sealed a 2-0 victory for Connah’s Quay as Phase 2 of the Cymru Premier heats up.
Andy Legg made one change as his side looked to make it six games unbeaten, January signing Owen Cuddihy replaced Michael George in the starting lineup, earning his first start or the club.
The Town started the game brightly, Ollie Hulbert saw his effort bounce off the crossbar in the fourth minute, teammate Evan Press did well to keep the ball alive at the byline and found the unmarked forward at the edge of the box.
In the 31st minute Robbie Willmott’s whipped corner kick threatened the Nomads, but it was well cleared by Kai Edwards to stop the Town taking the advantage.
Both sides found it difficult to settle into the match with minimal efforts on goal until the visitor’s opener, in the 41st minute Declan Poole made space on the right edge of the box and found unmarked teammate Noah Edwards, who slotted the ball past Liam Armstrong.
Dan Roberts was cautioned for a strong challenge on Ryan Kavanagh as tempers started to flair between both sets of players, moments later Callum Sainty was forced to come off the pitch with a non-contact injury, who received a flood of applause as he headed to the dressing room.
Kayne McLaggon saw his chance go narrowly wide of the post in the 55th minute, he managed to wriggle his way into the box from the right wing, at a tight angle his effort found the side netting to his frustration.
In the 63rd minute, Connah’s Quay looked to build on their lead through Max Woodcock, quick team play ended with his strike fizzing past the post. Minutes later, an identical shot hit the woodwork, causing chaos in the box, with Barry just managing to the clear the danger.
Armstrong was called into action in the 72nd minute, following a fast break, Sam Durrant’s was fed through by Rhys Hughes, his right footed attempt was blocked by the body of Armstrong to keep the Town in the match.
Barry upped the intensity in a bid to level the score but a brilliant double save by George Ratcliffe, with ten minutes left to play, denied the striking partnership of Ieuan Owen and Ollie Hulbert from close range to keep their lead untouched.
With seconds left to play the Town almost halved the deficit, Owen found space up the right wing and charged forward with the ball, supported by Hulbert, who Owen found with a cute pass, his first time strike was blocked by Ben Nash to seal a vital win for the visitors and prevent a last-minute comeback by the Town.
Barry Town turns their attention to Briton Ferry Llansawel with a trip away on Friday the 7th March, 7:45pm kick off.
Barry Town United can confirm the permanent transfer of Keenan Patten to Newport County for an undisclosed fee.
Keenan, a fan favourite, joined the club in 2023, making 50 appearances and scoring 11 goals.
Stephen Jenkins, Head of Football, commented: “It’s been a pleasure having Keenan with us over the past 18 months. He’s earned this opportunity to return to full-time football, and we wish him all the best in his future career.”
Keenan Patten (Image courtesy of Perry Dobbins Photography)
Jonny Barrett, Director, added: “Keenan fully deserves the chance to play full time football again. He has handled this whole process with great professionalism. We’re a club that supports our players and when our financial requests were met this was the right decision. We’d like to thank Huw Jenkins and Newport County for the way they’ve managed the transfer.”
Keenan, it’s been a pleasure having you here. We look forward to following your journey in the EFL.
Barry Town 3 – 1 Flint Town | Cymru Premier | Play-off Conference Saturday 1 February, 2025
A Keenan Patten brace inspired back-to-back wins for Barry as they keep their 100% record and remain top of the play-off table.
The first half saw a trio of goals as both sides traded blows in an entertaining encounter. Keenan Patten broke the deadlock two minutes into the game with a smart finish. Flint Towns’ Izaack Lambert replied from close range as Callum Sainty restored the lead with a back post tap in.
But an emphatic second half display rounded off by Patten’s second of the match rightfully earned the Town all three points.
Barry remained unchanged after last week’s 2 -1 win away at Aberystwyth, Ryan Kavanagh earned his third successive start as duo Ollie Hulbert and Kayne McLaggon led the line.
To break the deadlock a silky team move involving Michael George, Robbie Willmott and Ollie Hulbert down the right wing ended with Patten’s confident left footed finish, which he guided past Jack Flint and gave the Town a dream start.
Soon after Armstrong was met by a flurry of chances as Flint looked to restore the scoreline. Striker Elliot Reeves forced a stop with his low drilled attempt and Joshua Jones’ looping header gave Armstrong an easy claim.
After both teams settled into the game Ollie Hulbert was sent marauding forward running onto a Willmott pass, supported by Patten, who squared the ball across the edge of the area and found Ryan Kavanagh, with his right foot he almost doubled the hosts lead but his strike blazed narrowly over the crossbar.
Flint Towns leveller came in the 24th minute, a Jake Philips long throw-in caused chaos for the Town, Armstrong dropped the ball on his own goal line and in the frame of Lambert, who struck the ball into the net to make it 1-1.
Barry replied minutes later, Willmott swung his corner towards the head of Will Richards, who’s guided attempt struck the underside of the bar, in true poachers fashion Sainty was waiting to pounce on the rebound and gave the hosts the advantage once more.
With minutes left of the first interval Hulbert nearly doubled the lead, George played through Hulbert who cut inside from the right and fired towards goal, to his frustration, his shot was sent high over the bar with the score remaining 2-1 going into half time.
Barry didn’t step off the gas in the second half and came back out fierce in the press. Moments after the restart Kavanagh’s found himself on the right edge of the box, his tantalising cross needed all but a touch to find the net but there was no teammate in sight. In the 52nd minute Hulbert displayed a fine bit of skill to get free from his man, but his effort was dived on by Flint.
Sainty almost got a second, another dangerous corner from Willmott caused a scramble in the box where the ball fell to Barry’s no.4, who sent the ball high over the woodwork. At this point Barry was in total control of the affair, creating sustained attacks and gave Flint very little going forward.
The hosts continued to threaten down the right channel, Willmott played a delicate ball through to George, at the byline he floated the ball towards the unmarked Patten at the back post, on the half volley his first time strike agonisingly curled away from goal.
Seconds later Patten bagged his brace, Evan Press drove the ball up the left side, putting Lambert to the floor in the process, his whipped cross was spilt by Flint into Patten’s path who smashed the ball home wheeling away with delight.
Jones almost gave the visitors a lifeline at the death, teammate Isaac Lee found him open in the box, but his volleyed strike fizzed just wide of the post. Barry held on until the final whistle as they pick up successive wins with a trip to Newtown up next Saturday.
Steve Jenkins becomes new Head of Football and First Team Coach, Andy Legg appointed as new Head Coach
Barry Town United can now confirm a change to their on field management structure. Steve Jenkins will move into the Head of Football and first team coach role.
As a result of this change we are pleased to announce that Andy Legg will become our new Head Coach.
Former Welsh International Andy brings much experience to the club with over 700 games played during his career as well as management stints at both Llanelli and Bangor.
We’re looking forward to being back at Jenner Park tomorrow and welcoming Andy to the club.
The Town take on Flint Town United at Jenner Park, Saturday 1 February in a 2:30pm kick off.
Kavanagh is the Town’s 7th signing of a busy summer
The Town is delighted to announce the signing of Ryan Kavanagh. 21 year old Ryan joins from his boyhood club Cardiff City where he played his football from the age of 7.
A dynamic midfielder, Ryan will compliment hugely the skill set of midfielders already at the club and we’re excited to see him in a Barry Town shirt.
Ryan’s home and away shirt are now available to sponsor.
Willmott becomes Steve Jenkins’ 6th summer signing
Barry Town United is delighted to announce the signing of Robbie Willmott subject to International Clearance.
A Versatile midfielder Robbie will be well known for his time at EFL neighbours Newport County where he spent 9 seasons making a staggering 292 appearances.
The 34 year old was a huge part of the Exiles incredible run to the Emirates FA Cup fifth round during the 2018-2019 season where he scored important goals and created assists against Leicester City, Middlesbrough and Manchester City.
Willmott started his career in the academies of Buntingford Town and Cambridge United. In 2007, at the age of 17, he made his debut for the U’s in the then-Conference Premier.
Over five seasons and two spells – with two seasons and 67 appearances at Luton Town in between – he made 139 appearances for Cambridge.
Robbie’s home and away shirt are both now available for sponsorship.
