WHEN Niall McGuinness was informed that Flint Town United had been promoted to the Cymru Premier for the first time in 22 years it was justification for years of dedication and endeavour.

McGuinness famously became the youngest top-flight manager in Europe when he was appointed Rhyl boss in early 2016, but his time at his hometown club turned sour and he resigned after 20 months in charge.

“I was 24 turning 25 when I got my first job, but then we got relegated and I resigned,” said McGuinness. “When that happens there is criticism and I could have packed it in and gone back to youth team football.”

But McGuinness isn’t one for shying away from a challenge and within two months of resigning from Belle Vue he had been appointed Flint Town United manager.

Poignantly, McGuinness told the press: “Flint Town United is a big football club with a great youth structure and passionate people looking to push the club in the right direction with the ultimate aim being to become a WPL team.”

And after 22 years of second-tier football, McGuinness delivered after the Silkmen were promoted as Cymru North runners-up with champions Prestatyn Town failing to be granted a domestic licence.

“It shows the type of character I am that I wanted to get back into another job quickly at Flint,” continued McGuinness. “When I first spoke to the chairman Darryl Williams I told him that I would give my all from the minute I started to the minute I finished.

“Being fully committed is massive, especially if you want to try and win promotion to the Cymru Premier.

“We were a long way off winning promotion when I first came, but it shows what can be achieved when a group of people with the same ambition work together.”

While McGuinness is the figurehead of the Silkmen, there are plenty of people behind the scenes - and on the pitch - who deserve huge amounts of credit.

“I’m made up for the chairman and all the hard-working volunteers, the fans and the players,” added McGuinness. “We’ve only got four players who have been at the club for the whole time I’ve been here.

“Everyone who has played for the club deserves credit for their input, and I’m delighted for Aden (Shannon) and Johnny (Hill), who have been brilliant since I arrived.”

The good news didn’t stop there as Callum Bratley agreed a new deal with the Silkmen, who also confirmed that key quartet John Danby, Mark Cadwallader, Brandon Burrows and Nathan Brown are also onboard for next season.

Fierce rivals Holywell Town were also celebrating after their promotion back to the Cymru North was confirmed.

John Haseldin’s Wellmen returned to the second-tier after just one season.

Haseldin said: “Its been the toughest 18 months that I’ve experienced in football and feel this is just rewards for all the hard-work the players, coaches and myself have put in.

“I couldn’t be prouder of everyone involved and I look forward to more good times.”