THREE former Rhyl FC Academy players have all joined newly promoted JD Cymru Premier side Flint Town United.

Former Lilywhites’ boss Niall McGuinness has made some significant reinforcements to his squad in recent weeks, and he moved quickly to acquire the services of Ben Lockley, Mason Blackwell-Jones and Harry Lockley for the upcoming campaign.

Both came through the Lilies’ Academy system into a first-term environment last season, and they will ow get the chance to further their development at the top of the Welsh pyramid.

All three players became free agents when Rhyl formally began winding up proceedings after failing to find the £175,000 needed to stay afloat until May 2021.

This also saw their thriving youth set-up disbanded as a result, but the newly former CPD Y Rhyl 1879 does hold out hope of rebuilding the Academy as they progress through the pyramid.

McGuinness also added another former Rhyl player to his squad in the form of Ben Burrows.

The versatile youngster can play in either defence or midfield and spent the majority of the 2018/19 campaign at Gresford Athletic in the Huws Gray Alliance, making 23 appearances for Steve Halliwell’s men before his move to Belle Vue.

Prior to his move to the Ancients, Burrows was a member of the Wrexham Academy system and produced a series of impressive displays for both their youth and reserve sides.

He was on the fringes of the first team squad before he eventual release in 2017.