Conwy Borough FC is a club steeped in rich heritage, built on decades of footballing tradition and community spirit along the North Wales coast. The roots of football in the town stretch back to the 1870s, though it wasn’t until the late 20th century that Conwy firmly established itself on the Welsh football map. In 1977, two local clubs, Conwy Town and Conwy Royal British Legion, merged to form Conwy United, determined to provide the region with a competitive and sustainable football presence.
The club was accepted into the Welsh League (North), now known as the Welsh Alliance League, and made an immediate impression. In 1982, they captured their first major trophy by winning the Welsh Intermediate Cup, now called the FAW Trophy, with a 1–0 victory over Blaenau Ffestiniog. This early success laid the foundation for more silverware. Conwy United went on to win back-to-back Welsh Alliance League titles in 1984–85 and 1985–86, cementing their place as one of the strongest teams in North Wales.
The 1990s ushered in a new era as Conwy joined the newly formed Cymru Alliance. After two impressive seasons in the top half of the table, the club was selected as one of the founding members of the League of Wales (now known as the Cymru Premier) in 1992. It was here that the club reached new heights. Their inaugural season saw a strong 7th-place finish, and just a few years later, Conwy secured third place in the 1995–96 campaign under manager John Hulse. That same season, striker Kenny McKenna stunned defences across the country with a remarkable 49-goal haul.
This third-place finish propelled the club into Europe, earning a place in the 1996 UEFA Intertoto Cup. Representing Conwy on the continental stage, they earned a commendable 0–0 draw away at Belgian side Sporting Charleroi. Although they didn’t progress beyond the group stage, it was a remarkable achievement for a club of its size and remains a cherished chapter in its history. Domestically, the team also reached two Welsh Cup semi-finals and qualified for the FAW Premier Cup, where they famously held Swansea City to a goalless draw at the Vetch Field.
Despite the glory years, financial pressures soon took their toll. As the costs of operating in the top flight rose, Conwy United made the difficult decision to voluntarily leave the League of Wales in 2000, opting to return to the more sustainable Welsh Alliance League. Over the next decade, the club experienced a period of rebuilding. A few near misses in league and cup competitions followed, including a runners-up finish in the league and a dramatic 4–3 Cookson Cup final defeat to Bethesda in 2004–05. The club was dealt a personal tragedy that same season with the sudden passing of manager Nigel Roberts, whose leadership had left a lasting impact on the players and supporters.
In 2009, a new chapter began under Barry Jones and Keith Tansley. With a fresh, youthful squad, Conwy United lifted the Cookson Cup in 2010 after a dramatic extra-time victory over local rivals Llandudno Junction. This success reignited the club’s ambition. In the 2010–11 season, under manager Paul Moroney, they went on to win the Welsh Alliance Division One title and earned promotion back to the Cymru Alliance. Although they lost the FAW Trophy final in heartbreaking fashion after conceding twice in stoppage time, the campaign was a turning point. Their reputation for fair play was recognised with a Fair Play League title, and rising star Toby Jones finished as top scorer before moving on to join Neath.
The club’s momentum continued as they embraced change both on and off the pitch. In April 2012, the Football Association of Wales approved a name change from Conwy United to Conwy Borough FC, ushering in a new era of identity and ambition. Chris Herbert was appointed manager in May 2012 and quickly made an impact. In his first season, the club finished third in the Cymru Alliance and won the league cup against Caersws after a dramatic penalty shootout. After Herbert’s departure, former Wrexham and Shrewsbury defender Darren Moss took the reins as player-manager. Moss guided the team to a second-place finish in 2013–14 before stepping down in November 2014. Managerial changes followed, with Aden Shannon briefly in charge during a difficult 2015–16 season.
Off the pitch, Conwy Borough focused on building long-term infrastructure. The club invested in facility upgrades, including improved floodlighting and the opening of the Y Morfa Venue clubhouse in 2014, turning it into one of the premier community football sites in North Wales. Emphasis was also placed on youth development, with the introduction of a full youth academy system and multiple teams competing across age groups. These initiatives laid the groundwork for future success.
After a challenging season in the Cymru Alliance, the club was relegated in 2017. Yet this setback led to a stunning revival. Under manager Gareth Thomas, Conwy Borough enjoyed a historic 2017–18 season, achieving a remarkable treble. They won the Welsh Alliance League, Cookson Cup, and FAW Trophy, dominating the competition and reasserting their status as one of the region’s top sides. This success earned them promotion back to the second tier.
In the 2018–19 and 2019–20 campaigns in the newly restructured Cymru North, the club finished 11th both seasons. Corrig McGonigle’s 24 league goals in 2019–20 were a particular highlight, showcasing the continued strength of Conwy’s attacking tradition. As the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, the club remained active behind the scenes, maintaining community ties and preparing for a fresh push.
Conwy Borough continued expanding its community footprint in the years that followed. A partnership was formed in 2023 with Achieve More Training and Ysgol Aberconwy to launch a pre-apprenticeship programme in sports coaching. This initiative not only reinforced the club’s dedication to player development but also emphasized its role in fostering local opportunity and education.
One of the most significant developments in recent history came in March 2025, when the club announced a merger with Llandudno Swifts. The move was designed to strengthen the region’s footballing ecosystem and pool resources for greater competitiveness. The merged first team would be known as Conwy Borough Swifts FC from the 2025–26 season onward, symbolising a fusion of tradition and forward-thinking collaboration. The new identity also aimed to unify the club’s youth and senior pathways while increasing its visibility and aspirations.
Throughout its history, Conwy Borough has consistently produced players who’ve gone on to achieve success at higher levels. Names like Carl Dale, Kevin Ellison, Neville Southall, and Chris King have all passed through the club or its predecessors. This legacy of player development continues to this day through the club’s strong academy structure and community-first philosophy.
What sets Conwy Borough apart is not only its achievements on the pitch but its deep connection with the town of Conwy itself. Generations of fans, families, and volunteers have helped shape the club’s identity as a hub of pride, resilience, and ambition. The road has been marked with triumphs and trials, yet the club’s spirit has never wavered.
As it steps into a new era under the Conwy Borough Swifts name, the club remains committed to its roots, offering high-level football, investing in the next generation, and serving as a pillar of the community. The journey from a local merger in 1977 to a respected and rebranded force in modern Welsh football tells a story of perseverance, evolution, and lasting legacy.