Rhys Healey believes his spell with Cymru Premier League champions Connah’s Quay Nomads helped to shape him into the footballer he is today.
On Tuesday, Connah’s Quay Nomads were crowned Cymru Premier League champions by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), following the FAW's decision to end their domestic football season due to Coronavirus pandemic.
Healey joined the Nomads as a 15-year-old in 2010, making his debut during the 2011/12 campaign. He played 10 times that season, scoring three goals and helping the Flintshire outfit win the Cymru Alliance League.
His good form continued during Connah's Quay's first season back in the Welsh Premier League match as he scored 12 goals in the first 19 games, catching the eye of a number of clubs including Cardiff City who would sign him in January 2013.
“After I moved to Wales, I had a period out of football,” Healey, who grew up in Manchester, told Red Dot earlier this season.
“I managed to find a club in Connah’s Quay Nomads. They helped me move into the professional environment and, from there, I signed for Cardiff City. If I look back, my journey has helped to shape me and make me who I am.
“[My spell at Connah’s Quay Nomads] helped me a lot. A lot of my teammates there were 35-year-old ex-professionals while I was 15, just starting out.
“I still follow Connah’s Quay Nomads and I still speak to their Academy director. They are a lot better now than when I was there!
“I’m proud to say that I’ve come from there as they helped me on my path to living my dream as a professional footballer.”
