Five Matches, Twelve Teams, Big Gaz and the Field of Dreams.

My last written blog took us up to our defeat at Prestatyn before Christmas and I finished it with a few words about the post-match interview I had carried out with Town manager Iwan Williams during which he’d said he was looking for an immediate reaction to the defeat by the players, beginning with the match at home to Porthmadog.

Three victories and two draws from the next five fixtures since the trip to Bastion Gardens suggests to me that the players have responded well and yet there remains a sense of disappointment amongst a handful of supporters I’ve spoken to, who seem to expect the team to coast to victory every time it takes to the field. In some ways I can’t blame them for this, especially following last season’s success, but in reality I believe that a return of eight points out of twelve and a cup tie victory over the last month has been pretty good. Prestatyn’s unbelievable run of form probably casts a false shadow of mediocrity over Caernarfon’s recent results but we remain second placed in the league and are still in two cup competitions so it can’t be as bad as some would have us believe.

Gaz Edwards.

Before looking back at those matches, it’s worth mentioning that the interview with Gareth Edwards published earlier this month has proved the most popular item I’ve posted on the blog, with over eighteen hundred views thus far. I’m sure the reason for this is Gaz’ popularity but I also suspect that a fair number of people will have taken a look in the hope of finding out how he manages to keep those teeth so white!       

Of course, the standout fixture of the past weeks was the Gwynedd Derby with Porthmadog. Matches between the sides are always fiercely competitive and in recent seasons we seem to have enjoyed an edge over our local neighbours, which continued on December 27^th. It was not the best of matches, it has to be said, and after an explosive start, proceedings tailed off for long periods. It was never short of intriguing, however, and whilst goalmouth action was at a premium, there were plenty of blood and thunder challenges from both sets of players to warm up those of us freezing on the terraces!

And, as you’ll probably already know, there were plenty in attendance, with a crowd of 1247 having paid at the turnstiles to see the friendly rivals going head to head. Matches between us always produce large crowds and in the lead up to this latest instalment I am sure that most local football enthusiasts would have predicted a decent turn-out. I don’t think there were any other matches in the vicinity on the day and so, in addition to supporters of both clubs, the crowd was swollen greatly by a large number of casual football followers turning up to escape the obligatory turkey, stuffing and cranberry sandwiches that turn up on our dinner tables during the last week of every year.

Jamie Breese celebrates his goal against Porthmadog in front of a bumber Christmas crowd.

The club’s social media platforms were full of great comments about the size of the crowd and of course this led to yet more questions being asked about the lack of interest in the Welsh Premier League. Readers of the blog will already know that I believe the top tier has become nothing more than a borefest in recent years due to the dominance of The New Saints and the baffling twelve team format that the FAW persists with.

It was recently announced that the league would remain in its current format although the particulars of the FAW Council’s vote have proved hard to obtain thus far. The governing body’s Head of Competitions Andrew Howard has suggested that I get in touch with one of the two area representatives on the Council which I have done and hopefully this may shed some light on the matter. Someone has suggested that one of the reasons the FAW wants to keep the league to twelve teams is because they fear a dilution of quality by increasing the league to sixteen but my answer to this would be that Caernarfon Town have won three out of five competitive matches against WPL teams in the past two seasons and other second tier sides have also fared well recently against supposedly superior opposition ie Holyhead, Denbigh and Holywell.

Whatever the reasons for the decision, and I still aim to find out, one thing the FAW cannot get away from is that the Cymru Alliance League is every bit as entertaining and competitive as the top tier, if not more so. Attendances in the second tier are certainly comparable to those in the WPL and whilst the Christmas derby crowd may well have been a one-off, the low numbers of people watching fixtures in the Premier League would suggest that there’s something fundamentally wrong with the flagship competition. It doesn’t seem to me that anyone is listening and whilst the powers that be may be hanging on to the coat tails of The New Saints’ record of successive victories as proof that is all is well then I must ask that whilst the champions are running riot, I wonder who, in Wales, is watching?

Danny Brookwell during the Gwynedd Derby.  

I would suggest that all those who believe the WPL has exclusive rights to quality football in this country should take a look at Danny Brookwell’s stunning goal in our Christmas victory over Porthmadog. It’s available on twitter and facebook, and there are many more of equal value from across the second tier on social media if anyone doubts how good the football is any worse than that offered by the ‘top twelve’.

The festive win over our neighbours was followed with a comfortable league cup victory over Denbigh, with the highlights being first goals for the senior side for both Jamie Roberts and Aaron Davies-Thomas. Recent signing Jamie has made a good start to his time at the Oval and there’s definitely more to come from him whilst sixteen year old striker Aaron has already started making a name for himself as a real goal poacher. Both are great prospects for the club!

The side returned to league action seven days later and the trip to Gresford proved a fruitful one, although it must be said that the hosts proved more than a handful for the Cofis in a thrilling first half. Gresford had been playing well of late, with new manager Steve Halliwell making an impressive start to his stint at the helm. They were in confident mood following an unbeaten run of five matches, four of which they’d won, and twice they took the lead before Darren Thomas led the Canaries to a 5-2 triumph. The Cofi Messi was in imperious form on the day, running through his array of trickery on his way to a hat-trick, which he completed with an obscene run past three defenders before sliding the ball into the onion bag. Rhyl manager Niall McGuinness was in attendance to run the rule over his side’s Welsh Cup opponents and I wonder how he plans to nullify  our talisman? Of course, putting a plan together is one thing, but carrying it out successfully is a much harder task.

Messi scores on his way to a hat-trick at Gresford.

We were given a very nice welcome from the club itself and I enjoyed the afternoon, despite ruining my trainers, making it the second pair in two visits to the ground that I’ve had to bin! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there will be some ‘hard standing’ all around the pitch the next time I visit!

A second Oval encounter inside a fortnight against Denbigh followed and my delight at not seeing Jonathan Hill-Dunt standing between the sticks at Gresford was quickly forgotten when I saw him in goal for the Central Park oufit! I don’t have anything against the big man but he always seems to have a blinder against Caernarfon and, rather frustratingly, he enjoyed another one with his new team as they held us to a draw.

The visitors were a much improved outfit to the one who lost so convincingly in the league cup just thirteen days previously and, whilst I don’t believe the Canaries were at their best, Denbigh played well and were full value for their share of the spoils. Caernarfon started slowly and got frustrated as the match wore on, which obviously gave their opponents confidence to play for the victory. They were two goals up and fifteen minutes away from doing just this until Jamie Breese struck a cracker to halve the deficit. Danny Brookwell pulled us level soon after and the last ten minutes were excellent, as both sides went searching for the winner. It was end to end stuff and although we probably went closest to scoring the winner, Danny Sullivan hitting the header and Kevin Lloyd seeing his netfinder ruled offside, Denbigh could just as easily have won the match, as they too went close to a decisive goal.

Thomas, Kim and Nathan. Un Clwb.

I was summoned to the Oval on the Sunday to take photos for use on a new project Town supporter Alex Philp is putting together, where supporters can pay to put their names on a personalised printed bricks to go alongside club legends at the Hendre End Stand. His son, Thomas, was there, as were Kim Broadbent and Nathan Craig so we had representatives from the Academy, and ladies and men’s sides and it was brilliant to see the one club ethos working properly on a new and exciting venture. Here’s the link where you can buy the personalised bricks:  
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caernarfon-Town-Wall-Of-Fame-brick-/302203374009?hash=item465cb989b9%3Ag%3ApG8AAOSwo4pYhM3d

Last Saturday we travelled to Penrhyncoch (or Penrhyn cock if you’re Buckley’s half-time announcer!) and, rather worryingly, the side again started slowly, taking most of the first half to warm up before reaching, and maintaining, the high tempo football they are capable of. 

I travel solo to most away matches these days and, having been to Cae Baker just once before I put my trust in the sat nav to get me there, which it did, but only after a worrying two and a bit mile rollercoaster ride up, and down, a muddy and winding country lane! For some reason, the film  Deliverance came to mind but I was at least comforted in the knowledge I was not far from the ground because the driver in front of me was Town keeper Alex Ramsay! Like me, he too seemed confused by the sat nav’s chosen route, but at least we didn’t happen across any dueling banjos!!

Kev Lloyd jumps up to head in the equaliser against Penrhyncoch.

The match itself was no classic and yet it was an enjoyable encounter, albeit another frustrating one for Cofi supporters. Having gone behind before the break I expected the players to re-appear from their half-time pep talk with the manager with renewed vigour and they certainly did, taking the game to the hosts and when Kevin Lloyd headed in the equaliser on the hour mark, I’m sure that most of us at the ground thought we were in with a real chance of victory. Such was Caernarfon’s dominance in the closing stages that I half-expected Michael Caine and Stanley Baker to appear in their red jackets, but a combination of desperate defending and excellent goalkeeping secured an unlikely point for them.

The post-match interview with Iwan was quite hard to carry out because I could see he was frustrated at the result. However, as I’ve often mentioned in the blog, he never shies away from sharing his opinion and, as a supporter, I’d much rather hear the manager giving an honest opinion than trying to gloss things over. It certainly helped listening to it on the way back home as I took part in what seemed like the famous final scene from the movie Field of Dreams, so bad was the traffic due to the endless stream of Ivor Williams trailers clogging up the road!

Before moving on, I feel I must thank the person who decided to help warm us up on a freezing afternoon by burning something in their garden whilst the match was going on. The action may have been hard to follow due to the thick smog that emanated from their efforts but at least it kept us all warm!

Next up is Saturday’s massive Welsh Cup tie with Rhyl, which is one of the club’s biggest match in recent years. As a Welsh Premier League side, the Lillywhites obviously start the match as favourites and whilst they knocked us out of the Word Cup earlier this season I am quietly confident about our prospects this time around. Iwan has a threadbare squad available for the match but they’re all quality players and can be sure of a big, and vocal following to push them on.

The television cameras will be there, the local media will be there and the Cofi Army will be there.  I can’t wait!!

Come on Town!! 

Unfinished Business. The Big Interview with Gareth Edwards.

Gareth Edwards joined Caernarfon Town during the Summer of 2014 and has been a mainstay of the first team ever since. The big centre half has been one of the side's most consistent performers over the past three seasons although, if truth be told, things did not start too well for him at the Oval! 

Gaz arrived at the club having captained Cefn Druids to the Cymru  Alliance League title the previous season and, whilst I did not know too much about him, the heady reputation he enjoyed meant that expectations were high. His first pre-season with us was not the best but, following a slow start, the big man has proved to be even better than I had heard he was! 

Strong in the tackle and incomparable in the air, Gaz is a top quality centre half and, just as importantly, a top quality person. I am really pleased that he agreed to take part in this exclusive interview for the blog and am sure you will enjoy reading about the Big Man's footballing career, from his early years right up to today, with no holds barred!  

Over to you Gaz.... 

Oval Ways: Can you tell us about your playing career up to the time you signed for Caernarfon please Gareth?

Gareth: “I started playing from an early age at Boughton Heath FC and then was selected to represent Chester Schoolboys along with playing for my school teams. I played football for my college whilst studying sport and then for my university whilst studying my degree in sports science. Following university I went to the States to coach for the MLS teams San Jose Earthquakes, and Chicago Fire. On my return I played in the West Cheshire league for Upton AA then moved into the Welsh pyramid with Buckley Town for three years, Cefn Druids for three years and I’m now in my third season at Caernarfon. ”

OW: How long were you in the States? What’s the standard like and is there really an interest in the game over there? 

Gareth: “I had an amazing time in the States, met some amazing people and was fortunate enough to see some amazing places. I first went out in 2004 to San Francisco and then spent the rest of my time in Chicago, from 2005 to 2007. There is a misconception that people in the States don't have a clue about football (soccer) but everyone I met in the game over there was just as passionate about the beautiful game as we are here and equally knowledgeable about the sport, it really is growing from strength to strength. The game over the pond is a lot more fitness orientated and what some of them lack in technical ability they certainly make up for in terms of speed, agility and endurance.”

OW: Have you always played at centre half?

"I'll leave the dribbling up field to Clive!"

Gareth: “I have always been a defender for as long as I can remember. I do like to wander up field from time to time in training and during 5-a-sides but you won't often see me dribbling up field in a game. I'll leave that to Clive (Williams)!”

OW: Who has been the biggest influence on your footballing career?

Gareth: “My biggest influences in football would have to be my parents. Like many parents they sacrificed their time, money and many, many car rides to support me. Their support throughout an early age was brilliant and it's great to see them coming up to Caernarfon to watch me still.”

OW: Which professional team do you support?

Gareth: “The team that I've supported all my life is Liverpool FC for my sins. I also follow my local team Chester City and used to watch their games home and away growing up. I've got a good feeling now that Klopp is at the helm and dare I say, it could be our year?”

OW: Who was your favourite footballer whilst growing up, and why?

Gareth: “My favourite player growing up was Paul Gascoigne. One of my earliest footballing memories was of him at the Italia 90 World Cup and his ability to turn any game on its head with one piece of skill was unbelievable. I then followed him at Lazio when Channel 4 used to show the live games on a Sunday afternoon. It's really sad to see how Gazza is at the minute and I hope he beats his demons.”

OW: Who is your favourite footballer now, and why?

Gareth: “It's difficult to choose one particular player that is my favourite. We are blessed to be born in the same generation as two greats in Messi & Ronaldo, they've taken the game to a new level. Firminho has really impressed me recently with his high pressing game, he would be a nightmare to play against!!”

OW: Who’s been your most difficult opponent over the years, and given you the most problems as a defender?

Gareth: “Ha, ha! Probably as much as it pains me to say there are a couple of lads on our team who have given me nightmares over the years. Daz Thomas on his day is unplayable, his ability to glide past you at pace with the ball is sometimes enough to make you retire. Breesy was also a handful, although a different type of player. His work rate and positional sense made him a difficult opponent, he has a real strikers instinct. There have been plenty over the years believe me!!”

OW: What would you say is your biggest strength as a footballer?

Gareth: “I want to say my speed, awareness and keen eye for goal but I think everyone would laugh me out of the Oval!! I'd have to say my aerial ability when defending has to be my strongest asset and positional sense again when defending. My ability to read the game as I've got older has improved like I think it does with most people who play the game. I used to get a few more goals than I do now, I'm not sure if that's down to the gaffers’ set pieces or the oppositions ability to block my runs better now! That's something I'm looking to improve on each week so I can help contribute to the attacking play.”

Gaz celebrates his goal at Flint this season. 

OW: Which team do you enjoy playing against the most?

Gareth: “The teams I enjoy playing against now are the ones closest to home, ha ha! No, it would be wrong for me to single any particular team out as on their day any one team in the Huws Gray Alliance can beat another. Over the years I've played in it, the league has gone from strength to strength with some quality players and managers. I've been lucky to play for some great clubs with hardworking volunteers and supporters who keep them afloat. It's a strong league and you have to respect all of the teams in it otherwise you will be in for a hiding.”

OW: How did your move to Caernarfon Town come about?

Gareth: “I'd just captained Druids to the league and NEWFA Cup double and gained promotion into the Welsh Premier. However there were issues which the management team were unable to resolve and they subsequently left the club, along with many of the players, therefore I felt the time was right for a fresh challenge.Caernarfon’s gaffer at the time, Lee Dixon. had contacted me on a few occasions asking me to come and have a look, so I did and never really looked back.”

OW: What did you know of the club before you arrived?

Gareth: “I knew a little about Caernarfon Town before I signed as I'd played in the league for a number of years. It was sad to see the demise of the club from a Welsh Premier team to dropping down the leagues and having to practically start again as such. However you started to hear rumblings that they were moving up the leagues and winning cups again and you just knew they would become a force again with the support they have, and they did!! I was privileged to get an opportunity to play in front of a fiercely loyal set of supporters who follow their home team, which was an opportunity I couldn't turn down!”

OW: Did you know Iwan before he got the managers job and what were your thoughts when he got the post?

Gareth: “Yes I knew Iwan as an opponent as we have played each other on countless occasions. In fact he once got me sent off when he was at Llandudno and I was at Buckley!! It was a provoked attack/foot stamping incident that ensured I had an early bath. I must admit I was shocked when I heard he was in the running for the job, however when hearing what he had done behind the scenes at the other clubs he had been at then it was a no brainer. The club deserves a lot of respect for bringing him in and putting their faith in a young local lad looking to make his start in management. It would have been an easier decision to go elsewhere but the club had a vision and it paid off last season.”

OW: What have been the main differences between the two managers you've played under at Caernarfon?

Gareth: “I've got respect for all the managers I've played under, it takes a great deal of time, commitment and selflessness to be a manager, especially in the lower leagues and it can often be a thankless task. Everyone has different qualities that they bring to the table. When I arrived ‘Dicko’ had been on the crest of a wave having had some great success, it was clear there was a good vibe in the changing rooms and his man management of players was superb. Iwan then came in the following season with a fresh approach and brought a lot of professionalism and energy to the club but also could relate to the players, having only just made the step into management.  It was important that the senior players amongst us helped with Iwan's transition into management which I felt we did, however he has gone on to a new level now. His application to the job and his commitment is second to none.”

OW: How enjoyable was last season for you as a player and did the side's dominance and success  surprise to you?

Gareth: “Last season was one of my best in football without doubt. When I first arrived at the club it took me a while to settle, I had missed pre-season due to my stag do and then some more due to getting married and then our honeymoon so it was a slow start. But the gaffer and the supporters stuck by me and I started to really enjoy my football, so to end 2015 being voted the Clwb Caneris supporters player of the year was a huge honour and I wondered if it was going to get better, and  thankfully it did! Last season, straight from the start, there was a feeling that something was going to happen for us after doing so well against the Welsh Premier teams in pre-season and the cups and this was coupled with the great signings the gaffer had made. We made a slow start in the league but by Christmas it felt like it was ours to lose. Thankfully we kept going and took the lot!”

OW: How did you feel when it was announced that the club had failed in its bid for the domestic licence, and therefore would miss promotion?

Gareth: “It felt a bit like Deja vu after what had happened at Druids, and for me it was two league titles and no Welsh Premier League carrot at the end of it. It was a gut wrenching feeling that you can't describe, after the time and effort the players and staff had put it all season, the highs and the lows, the travelling, the cold dark training sessions, and then to find out it was all for nothing was incredibly disappointing. We were in this little bubble of players and staff and all we were hearing was rumours, therefore when it was announced we felt cheated. I'll never forget the meeting in the clubhouse after the game shortly after it was announced, it really struck home how many people it had affected. All the supporters, volunteers and people of Caernarfon who paid their hard earned money through the turnstiles were devastated, so we were all in it together. Mistakes are mistakes, football is football, as long as the lessons are learned then I have no doubt the club will go from strength to strength. There is unfinished business at Caernarfon Town Football Club which is fuelling everything we do as players and the management.”

OW: Despite the disappointing news, the team continued to win and marched on to the double. How hard was it to keep going and how proud are you of what you achieved?

Gareth: “It was a bitter pill to swallow but it wasn't difficult. As a player you go out to win football matches no matter what the circumstances are. You have a duty to do so to your teammates and the supporters, we had a job to do. We were set targets at the beginning of the season to win the league and cup and that's what we had to do. We're in an extremely privileged position to get paid for what we do but also to have the support that we do, so it wasn't difficult for us. It just feels like a setback, it still does now, and we will get it right. The way we did it at Druids just showed the mental toughness, strength and quality we have in the squad. Now that was a memorable day!!”

OW: Cefn Druids had been our main title challengers all season and yet we beat them 7-0 at their own ground to win the league. How good a performance and victory was that Gareth, and how did it feel for you against your old team?

Gareth: “That was one of the best performances from a team I've been involved in. Given the circumstances that it was to win the league for us or Druids would be back in with a shout if we lost, there was a significant amount of pressure on us. To go to our nearest rivals and beat them 7-0 was more than we could have wished for but no less then we deserved. Getting ready to go out for the warm up all we could hear was all of our supporters in the clubhouse singing and chanting and I have no doubt that spurred us to the performance we put in. From the first minute we were at it and there was only ever going to be one winner. Obviously it has a little more meaning for me as it was my former club but that didn't come into it on the day, we had a job to do and we did it, in some style also!”

The team walking off the pitch after their 7-0 victory over Cefn Druids to clinch the Cymru Alliance League title. 

OW: You’ve had two and a half very successful seasons at the Oval thus far with many highlights to look back on but what’s been your own favourite moment at the club?

Gareth: “Having the success we have had it's very difficult to pick just one, however on a personal level to get an award by the supporters meant a lot to me so I would have to say that personally. On a team perspective winning the league by a long shot!”

OW: What have been the stand-out matches you’ve been involved in as a Caernarfon Town player?

Gareth: There are four that stand out above all the others.

Caernarfon Town 2-3 The New Saints. Welsh Cup, 2014/15 season. What a game this was, the supporters came out in droves, so much so that the wall collapsed!! A Daz Thomas wonder strike put us two up and I still maintain to this day that the break after the wall came down ruined our flow, we'd lost the momentum we had created and couldn't quite regain our stride. The support we had and the ovation they gave us in the clubhouse after the game showed that win, lose or draw the cofi army will get behind you if the effort is there. On that day we just came up short against the best team in Wales, but the 100% effort was there.

Prestatyn Town 1-2 Caernarfon Town. 2015/16. I felt that this was the turning point to our season last year and the catalyst to us going on to win the league. It was a dogged performance which showed our character, coming from behind away from home at our rivals it was an important win for us.

Cefn Druids 0-7 Caernarfon Town. 2015/16. We'd only found out a week earlier to this fixture that even if we had won the league we would not get promoted therefore to put the performance we did  was a credit to the lads. As discussed earlier this was a great day for the players, supporters and everyone associated with the club. To win the league in the fashion we did means that this game is definitely amongst my favourites!

Bangor City 0-1 Caernarfon Town. Word Cup, 2015/16. An amazing result for the players and the fans who came in their numbers. On the day we only had nine fit players with two of us carrying niggles into the game! To go to your nearest rivals, who are a league above, and win the game under the circumstances made it so much sweeter. A great performances from the lads and one for the club to remember.

OW: Having won the double last season it’s probably safe to say that most teams will have been gunning for Caernarfon Town this time around. After a stuttering start, the team’s form has improved greatly in recent weeks but can you give a reason why the team started slightly slower than expected?     

Gareth in his first season at the Oval. 

Gareth: “I think there are several factors that contributed to a slow start. There is no doubt about it that as players we hadn't hit the heights we were hitting last season both individually and collectively. When you win a league you need consistency and things to go your way at certain points in games, and I don't feel like we were getting the rub of the green, although I'm a big believer in you earning your own luck. Conceding two late goals at Denbigh knocked us back and an early defeat to Prestatyn put us on the back foot instantly. Over the past few seasons we have had an excellent defensive record, however we have been a little unsettled in that department having had several different goalkeepers, injuries to Graham Austin and Chrissy Williams, suspensions and players missing games, which haven’t helped our cause. The midfield personnel has changed significantly since we kicked off the season and up top the goals were not going in as frequently as they had been with players struggling with form. There can be no doubt about it that psychologically not gaining promotion and playing in the Welsh Premier League which we deserved affected us all and this is another factor I believe impacted on our early form. I think the management team and the players have been on a huge learning journey this season which will only make us stronger in the future. The team is much stronger now than it was when we started the season and there is the right balance between youth and experience. There is no doubt in my mind that there are exciting things to come in the future.”

You mentioned the supporters earlier and I was wondering if you had been aware of how large the club’s fanbase is before joining us? 

Gareth: “No I wasn't aware of how big it was, or how much the people of Caernarfon love their hometown club. It's more than just a football team it's a family. The one club ethos the gaffer has brought to the football club has brought the club closer together since I've been here, the fans have more of a say in what happens at their club and that transparency will only help strengthen the club and develop young local lads to play for their hometown team. I always knew Caernarfon had a fan base but didn't realise the depth of this until we played The New Saints in the Welsh Cup when it felt the whole town came out to support us. Also, away at Druids last season and the crowd we had this season against Port just shows how big the Cofi Army is. Having said that the Cofi faithful follow us everywhere, whether that be Goytre, Rhayader or Penrhyncoch, they are there with their flags and support. I hope the town comes out in force again for our Welsh Cup match against Rhyl at the end of the month, I have no doubt they can act as our 12th man!!”

OW: You’ve mentioned that you believe there are exciting times ahead for the club. How far do you think the team, and club can go in the near future?

Gareth: “I think it would be foolish to look too far ahead, as last season proved anything can happen. In the short term we've gained consistency, in the long term this club needs promotion. Mistakes this year have set us back but the sole aim is to get this club back into the Welsh Prem as quick as possible. If the gaffer holds on to the lads we've got then we will learn from our mistakes and become better and stronger. We still believe we can get something out of this season but it's out of our hands, not how we would like it. When I look at the character and quality of the dressing room then I have the utmost belief that this club will be back where it belongs in the not too distant future. The management team believe in us and we believe in them so with that little bit more consistency and continuity we will achieve our goals.”

OW: From what I’ve seen of you over the past three seasons, you seem quite a placid character, a gentle giant. This, however, does not quite equate with you being named recently as one of the team’s main dressing room jokers. Who is the real Gareth Edwards?

Gareth: “I think most of the boys will agree with me when I say I'm the funniest, most handsome, brightest and most skilful players they've played with throughout their career, and I can't argue with them really!! I like a laugh and a joke but I'm the first one to get serious or demand quality on and off the pitch. I'd like to think I'm a leader both on and off the field but I'll leave that to the lads to decide. I'm an outgoing person who loves to socialise however my family and friends come before anything. I'm fiercely loyal and try and do everything with a smile on my face, which is not always easy when you play football with Kevin Roberts!”

OW: I understand that you’re a stickler for fines in the dressing room and I was wondering if you think the club should introduce one for players who spoil post-match interviews between the media officer and manager?

Gareth: “Ha, ha, apologies for that disruption Paul!! I was only jealous, I think it's because you do all the interviews in Welsh and I can't understand when the gaffer is slagging me off on camera!”

OW: Has Graham Austin got the loudest, and scariest, voice in football, ever?

Gareth: “Aussie has, and you wouldn't mess with him! We've missed his leadership qualities both on  and off the pitch, he really is a true captain. The fact that he still comes to most of the games having not played one all season is true testament to his leadership ability. I've taken over the collection of fines though, that was one thing he was shocking at!!”

OW: Who are the other main dressing room jokers and who’s got the worst dress sense and music sense?

Gareth: “The gaffer far and away has the worst music taste! However to be fair to him not many others step up to the plate to select or play music, so unfortunately we're stuck in Iwan's 90's rave time warp! For the dressing room jokers you need not look any further than my main man, car share and room-mate Joseph Williams, just ask him about the story of the premier inn bed cover! Kev Roberts also likes to get involved in the changing room banter but he and Aussie are the standouts for worst dressed. Kev owns a pair of stonewashed jeans last worn by Bros and Aussie is the only man I know who goes on a night out to a club in a woolly hoody! Shocking attire.”

OW: What is your professional job Gareth?

Gareth: “I am a qualified PE teacher and have been teaching now for eight years. I am currently head of department in an FE College.”

OW: I understand that there’s a new arrival on the way. When is the baby due and I am guessing he or she is going to be a Caernarfon Town supporter?

Gareth: “Yes my wife and I are expecting our first child on 18th February, which is a Saturday so I'm hoping it will not come on the due date!! We're excited for it and are ready to welcome a mini Caernarfon fan into the world. The CTFC ladies have a good set up so when she's ready I'll be getting her involved!!”

OW: In closing, do you have a message for the Cofi Army?

Gareth: “On a personal level I'd like to thank the supporters for welcoming me to the club and making me feel like one if their own, I've had an amazing three seasons here and long may it continue. Their hard work and dedication is something we genuinely appreciate as a team and the support they give us through thick and thin is brilliant. All I will say is the best is yet to come and as players and management we will get this club back to where it belongs.”

Massive thanks to Gaz for taking the time to answer all my questions and to be so honest with his answers. 

Welsh Cup, Sgorio and Safe Hands.

In my first blog of the present season I referred to the opening month of the campaign as being akin to riding a rollercoaster, with plenty of ups and downs and thrills and spills having already been successfully negotiated and lots more to look forward to. Thankfully, there have been many more ups than downs so far, and in fact the next three matches Caernarfon played following the last blog have been an accurate reflection of the first half of the season.

Caernarfon Town supporters will be only too aware that we have a rather poor record in the Welsh Cup, especially in recent years, and although we’ve had very strong sides at certain periods over the past quarter of a century or so, we have rarely been in the running to capture the nation’s premier knockout competition. I know that our manager, Iwan Williams, is still seething at having lost to Goytre in the third round last year (in fact, he’s probably still having sleepless nights about it!) and so it’s safe to say that he must have been looking forward to our third round tie with Carmarthen more than most.  

In my opinion, the match should have been broadcast live as it was the standout tie of the round but the powers that be at ‘Sgorio’ decided that Ton Pentre hosting Bangor was a better bet. I don’t want to knock them for making that decision but, trying to look at things in a purely footballing sense, a tie between the Cymru Alliance League champions and a Welsh Premier League side must surely have been a  more attractive prospect than the match they decided on? Anyway, safe to say whoever made that decision may have been doubting their wisdom twenty four hours after we beat Carmarthen when the television company’s ‘showcase tie’ was postponed due to a frosty pitch.

Breesey scores his second against Carmarthen. 

Our match with the Old Gold was a real thriller, one of those old-style cup-ties where both teams played it hard, no quarter given, and it was through a combination of heart and talent that the Cofis were victorious at the final whistle. The encounter had begun in typically cagey fashion, and whilst Caernarfon probably edged proceedings up to the break I thought the goalless scoreline at half-time was just about right. The second period was very different, however, and it seemed to me that Iwan had taken the shackles off his players during his team talk at the break because we really put  Carmarthen on the back foot immediately after the restart. Once Jamie Breese put us ahead the signs were there that we’d be in the hat for the third round and what impressed me most was the players’ belief and confidence to regain the lead after Carmarthen had got back on level terms. They obviously saw the equaliser as a temporary setback as it made no difference to the team’s attacking intent and whereas the opener had been a real poacher’s goal, Jamie’s second netfinder and then Messi’s strike, were top quality finishes to prove, as if we didn’t already know, that the side is more than capable of causing havoc to any defence in the Welsh pyramid system.

I was second best this time around!

As I hung around after the match to interview Iwan and Jamie Breese, the excitement amongst the players and coaching staff was obvious and who could blame them? Unfortunately, it seemed that the presence of the tv cameras at the ground (to show highlights in the weekly Sgorio show) seemed to confuse Iwan somewhat as he prioritised an interview with them over our weekly post-match efforts! On the downside this meant I was later than usual getting back home, but I can’t really complain because it also meant I didn’t have to sit through yet another offering of Strictly Dancing. On a more serious note, I think it’s fair to allow Iwan his oversight on this occasion, considering his side's impressive victory!

I happened across a number of comments on social media and certain reading outlets that Town’s victory was a shock and whilst I acknowledge that Carmarthen were slight favourites beforehand, I can’t think that the result was too much of a surprise when considering the side’s impressive record against Welsh Premier League sides under Iwan Williams. It should also be remembered that were it not for our off the field shortcomings last season the side would have taken its place at the top table  this year.

It was a superb performance from the team and I doubt that anyone at the ground would disagree that the Cofis deserved victory. It was good to hear Carmarthen manager Mark Aizlewood later state that the best team won and I wonder if Iwan was right when he hinted that the visitors may have underestimated his side? I’m not convinced they did but, following this excellent performance, Rhyl won’t be doing so when they visit the Oval in late January in the next round!

Gareth  Edwards goes close to putting us ahead against Buckley.

A return to league action beckoned seven days later and a trip to Buckley. This latest of our seemingly endless runs on the A55 was made easier by the prospect of visiting another of my favourite away destinations. Globe Way is a decent ground (though impossibly hard to find first time around!) and whilst a lot of it is quite spartan they have two decent stands and a very good canteen! However what makes our visits to Buckley stand out is the warm welcome always afforded to visiting supporters from club officials. There’s always a smile at the turnstiles, and it’s always good to see their secretary, Mike Williams, who always has time for a chat. I was particularly pleased to see Mike because he had originally planned to step down at the end of last season due to a lack of support behind the scenes but things are a bit easier for him these days following an influx of a few new faces.  

Jay Gibbs.

The match did not start well for Caernarfon as James Rumsey put the hosts ahead in the first minute but the Cofis responded well and Kevin Lloyd scored a belter to put us back on level terms, finishing impressively with the outside of his right foot from twenty yards out. Gareth Edwards went close to putting us ahead with a header soon after and Jamie Breese found the net in the seventeenth minute with a great finish, reaching a Darren Thomas cross at the far post to bullet the ball past Adam McGee in the hosts’ goal. The match was played at a frantic pace early on and there were some tasty challenges all over the pitch.  When Danny Sullivan got cautioned around the half-hour mark, and followed it up moments later with an interesting looking discussion with the referee, Iwan showed good sense to take the former Buckley captain off and replace him with Jay Gibbs. This is no slight at all on Danny, who is proving just as good as I thought he would be, but in a time when officials seem to love brandishing cards out for the slightest of things, it made perfect sense to make the change. Readers of this blog will already know how highly I rate Jay and it was great to see him back in the yellow shirt. I think we’re a better side when Jay’s playing well and in our engine room and I have to say he was outstanding after he entered the fray. He soon got back to his old ways with a stunning free kick that put us two goals ahead and, whilst it was frustrating we couldn’t score in the second period, any away victory in the Cymru Alliance League is a good result and I for one was more than happy that another three points were in the bag. 

Highlights of the afternoon were seeing Nathan receiving his League Player of the Month award for October from Iwan (right), the manager’s face when I asked him to step into the ladies’ toilets with me for a post-match interview (are you sure we should be doing this, Paul?), committee member Terry Roberts getting hit in the head by a rogue football, Caernarfon president John Watkins’ face at half-time as we stood next to the Buckley announcer when he pronounced Penrhyncoch as Penrhyn Cock  and finally the excellent home-made mince pies that Buckley officials were handing out throughout the match! All in all, another very enjoyable away day with the Cofis!

At the forefront of everyone’s minds for the next few days was our upcoming match at Prestatyn. The Seasiders had not only defeated us convincingly at the start of the season but have also done the same to nearly every other side on the way to a commanding lead at the top of the table. Whereas the Canaries have played very well in patches this season, there have also been one or two blips (Llanfair Utd, Caersws) and this had given our title rivals a six point advantage going into the match at Bastion Gardens. I had only ever been to the ground once before and so already knew they have an excellent set-up, with a hub at the entrance that includes the dressing rooms, canteen and clubhouse. Very impressive! I took the club’s advise to park at the nearby Nove Centre and am glad I did because it gave me an opportunity to see the ground from afar, and it looked pretty decent!

Bastion Gardens.

In the media, there had been a big build up to the match and that favourite old saying, ‘six pointer’ was bandied about more often than you’ll hear Gary Neville saying ‘when I was at United’. In truth though, it was a huge match and one the Cofis certainly didn’t want to lose. Unfortunately, despite a promising start where we looked quite comfortable around the pitch and tested Prestatyn keeper Carl Jones enough to suggest we could get the win we wanted, an unfortunate slip by Keighan Jones resulted in the hosts going ahead and if I’m being totally honest at that point I would have gladly settled for a point. There was nothing between the sides, but the Cofis couldn’t quite get back on level terms and when Prestatyn doubled their lead after the break I am sure that most teams would  have crumbled (indeed, most have this season!) but Iwan encouraged his side on and Jay Gibbs scored one of the best goals I’ve ever seen to get us back into it. The midfielder had already done well to steal the ball off an opponent on the halfway line to gain possession and I doubt that anyone in the ground would have expected his next move, as he looked up and nonchalantly struck the ball over the home keeper and into his net! An outstanding goal and one that Sky Sports (or even Sgorio for that matter) would have been repeating all night had they been there. Alas, this was as good as it got for Caernarfon supporters as the hosts soon regained their two goal lead and, despite Jamie Breese finding the net late on, we couldn’t find a way to equalise, although Leigh Craven went close in the dying seconds.

Not our day at Prestatyn.

So, a disappointing result for the Canaries but if there’s any consolation, it had been an excellent match, and probably one of the best I’ve seen in the Welsh Pyramid. I was obviously not the only one to think this as social media was full of people’s comments on the quality of the football on show and I was mightily proud of the players for their efforts. There can be no doubt that the best two teams in the league were on show that day and I would say that both sides would more than hold our own in the Welsh Prem.

And, for the second time in two weeks I was left wondering why Sgorio had not decided to break with formula and either broadcast the match, or at least send cameras to capture and share the highlights. It probably seems that I’m criticising the Welsh television company but really it’s more about questioning the way they’re covering Welsh football. I mentioned this on Twitter this week and ‘Sgorio’ presenter Dylan Ebenezer replied that it would be difficult to cover matches in a regional league at the expense of the national league. I totally understand and accept this, however I’m sure there could be a way they can widen their net a bit and include occasional live matches or highlights from the remainder of the Pyramid system? I think their coverage of the Welsh Premier League is excellent but, much like the top tier itself, the public must be fed up with watching the same teams playing against each other every week? Would it not have made more sense to show our match with Prestatyn live than the latest victory stroll by The New Saints? I may be completely wrong and viewing figures might be strong for their live WPL matches but, if the trend is anything like match attendances across the top tier then it can’t be a good thing.

Iwan during the post match interview at Prestatyn.

Anyway, this a subject I’ll be returning to in a future blog and so I’ll finish off this time with a word about our manager. I mentioned earlier that he had ignored me at the expense of the Sgorio cameras after the Carmarthen match but my words were said in jest of course and in reality I think his willingness to carry out our post-match interviews, win or lose, is a huge credit to him. It’s easy to discuss things when the team has won but Iwan will always stand up and talk after we’ve lost and, from what supporters have told me, it is very much appreciated. As a supporter myself I’m always gutted when we lose and it helps to hear what the manager has to say and to know that he feels the same as we do! Having said this, though, I was having doubts about approaching him after the Prestatyn match and, whilst I am sure he didn’t particularly want to discuss it with me, he still did so and, if you look at the video again after reading this (it’s on the club’s twitter and facebook feeds) you’ll see how much he was hurting. This is why I remain extremely optimistic about this season, it’s also one of the reasons why I know we’re in safe hands, and that the club’s goals will be achieved! I’ll be covering the final two matches of the year in the next blog, which includes the Christmas Cracker against Porthmadog when 1247 spectators came to watch the Gwynedd Derby.

Until then, Happy New Year and thanks for reading in 2016!

  

It’s Everything I Expected. An Interview with Our Assistant Manager, Richard Owain Davies.

“When one of the biggest clubs in Welsh football gives you an opportunity to join them you have to take it…..”

When Iwan Williams told the Caernarfon Town Board during the summer that he was bringing in Richard Davies to further strengthen his management team I was both happy and surprised in equal measures. I knew of Richard due to his excellent record as manager of Penrhyndeudraeth so he definitely ticked all the right boxes but was surprised that one of our fellow clubs in the Cymru Alliance League had not decided to get him in as their manager. His achievements at Maes y Parc are very impressive and so my opinion then, and now, is that it’s a real coup for us as a club that he decided to join. 

I had not met him before he came to the Oval and I believe the only time we may have crossed paths would be during Penrhyn’s victory over the Cofis in a Mawddach Cup Semi-Final during the 2012/13 season. Although the tie was eventually won by Penrhyn on penalties after a 1-1 draw, if I’m totally honest they deserved to go through after an excellent performance, during which our former striker Matty Hughes had been almost unplayable. That defeat cost us a clean sweep of all the winnable cup competitions we had entered (Welsh Cup not included) in our treble season and was a massive disappointment at the time.

We obviously don’t get much opportunity to talk on match days and so, six months after he arrived I still didn’t know too much about our assistant manager. With this in mind I thought it would be nice to get together with Richard away from the Oval and ask him a few questions about his footballing background, experiences in the game and how he sees his first few months with Caernarfon Town. Luckily he was happy to take part in an interview for the blog, and I’m delighted to share it with you here.

OW: Can you give us a breakdown of your background in the game. Which teams did you play for?

Richard: “To be honest I haven't got much of a playing background, well not one that’s worth a mention anyway. I’m sure the lads will second this as I’ve got a season ticket for being in the middle of the circle in our warm-up! My previous clubs include Porthmadog, Nantlle Vale and Penrhyndeudraeth.”

OW: When did you decide that a managing career would suit you, and at which clubs have you managed?

Richard: “I started managing at the age of eighteen with Porthmadog Juniors. I began with the Under 14's and progressed with the same group to the Under sixteens and really enjoyed the experience. I was then offered an opportunity to join the Academy at Port and to also manage the Under sixteens. This gave me an insight into the more professional side of the game when compared to club football and from there I knew I wanted a future in the coaching side of the game. After a successful spell with the Academy which included winning the Welsh Academy trophy, I was given an opportunity to join Penrhyndeudraeth as assistant manager which I did for two years before making the step up to take the hot seat at Maes y Parc.”

OW: Who was the biggest footballing influence on you whilst growing up, and in what way?

Richard: “My biggest footballing influence whilst growing up would be my Dad. He gave me no choice in who I wanted to support and had me in an Everton kit before I could walk, and I wouldn't have it any other way! I was fortunate that there were a few of my mates around the same age that also had no choice and we were lucky enough that our dads would take us to Goodison Park once we were old enough.”

OW: Which team do you support, and who was your favourite player, both whilst growing up and now, and why?

Richard: “I support the pride of Merseyside, Everton! It's tough to pick just one favourite player when I was growing up but Big Duncan Ferguson and Neville Southall would be up there. Currently my best player would have to be Seamus Coleman for Everton and Gareth Bale for giving me an amazing time in France watching the Euros last summer.”

OW: I believe most followers of local football will know, or be aware of you, from your success at Penrhyn so can you tell us about your time there?

Richard: “I initially joined Penrhyndeudraeth as a player in Aug 2009 before becoming assistant manager to Gareth Piercy towards the end of the 2009/10 season and continued in that role throughout 2010/11.I took over as manager for the 2011/12 season and we achieved a lot together. In my first season at the helm we won the Gwynedd League, Gwynedd Safeflue Shield and Bob Owen Memorial Shield and followed that up a year later by winning the Take Stock Van Hire Cup. We were Welsh Alliance League Division Two champions, Take Stock Van Hire cup finalists and FAW trophy semi-finalists in 2013/14 and managed to reach the final of the FAW a tear later. Last season, we won the Mawddach Cup again.”

OW: Having enjoyed such a successful time with Penrhyn, what made you decide to join Caernarfon Town, and how did the move come about?

Richard: “The move came about when I received a phone call from Iwan asking if I fancied joining him and his coaching team as Gareth Parry had work commitments in Cardiff and would struggle to attend training sessions and some of the matches. I decided to take him up on the offer as it was a chance for me to step up to the Cymru Alliance and test myself. Although I was really happy at Penrhyndeudreath and had just won the Mawddach Cup, when one of the biggest clubs in Welsh football gives you an opportunity to join them you have to take it.”

OW: What knowledge did you have of the club and did you know any of the coaching staff and players?

Richard: “I knew Iwan and Gareth from the coaching staff and also some of the local players. I knew a lot about the club due to Iwan being manager and as we are good mates we regularly had chats on Sundays, asking how each others matches had gone. I have also had interest in the club from when Steven Smith (Psycho) was manager a few years ago. I know a lot of the supporters through following the Welsh national team away so whenever Penrhyndeudraeth didn't have a match I would sometimes drive to watch Caernarfon if they were at home.”

OW: What were your first impressions of the club when you joined, and has the club reached the  expectations you may have had?

Richard: “My first impression was everything I would expect from a club of Caernarfon’s size. The fan base is huge, probably one of, if not the biggest in the Welsh pyramid, and the professionalism shown by the lads in training and Iwan's preparation shows in the clubs success.”

OW: Was it hard to join the management team, bearing in mind last season’s success, and how have you adapted to being assistant manager after being in the manager’s seat with Penrhyn for so long?

Richard: “It was a bit daunting at start because of all the success last season but everyone within the club made me feel welcome from day one, for which I was grateful. Going from Manager to assistant was strange at first but I'm getting to know the league and I’m learning from Iwan so I’m really enjoying my time here and hope I can help the team emulate last season’s success.”

OW: Playing wise, is there a big gap between the Welsh Alliance and Cymru Alliance Leagues?

Richard: “Yes there is most definitely a gap playing wise, especially in the top half of the Cymru Alliance. I think the quality of the players is on a higher level and the fitness levels also but this is to be expected. I also think there’s a gap again between the best teams in the Welsh Premier League and some of the Cymru Alliance sides.”

OW: You’ve already mentioned you were aware of the club and players before you joined us and I was wondering if the quality in the squad matches what you had expected?

Richard: “I knew the quality in the squad was high but working with the lads on a weekly basis you get to see a bit more and they try things maybe they wouldn't in a game. I think what impressed me most was the accuracy of the long balls, the technique in striking the ball and bringing it under control.”

OW: It’s been a very good first half of the season for the team, what have been your highlights thus far?

Richard: “Highlight of the season so far, for me, is the victory at Porthmadog. It was a nice win as we hadn't really been playing well and had suffered a late equaliser against Denbigh followed by a home defeat to Prestatyn, so it was nice to get back to winning ways. And it’s great to have bragging rights at home! Flint away was a great victory also, to score six at such a tough place was a good day at the office. I think the most memorable win for myself would have to be the Holywell away game, to come back from 1-0 down at half time and show so much determination, character and desire to get back and win the game with only ten men was very satisfying to say the least.”

OW: Have there been any real ‘disappointments’ in your time at the club thus far?

Richard: “I was very disappointed when we were held to a draw in Denbigh especially to concede an equaliser in the ninety seventh minute after being in complete control on ninety minutes with a two goal lead. It was just one of them freak things in football. Then the next match was even worse as we lost to Prestatyn, so that was a tough two weeks. The only other real disappointment that stands out is the defeat to Rhyl in the Cup put I'm confident we can put that right in the Welsh Cup.”

OW: What do you think of the club’s supporters, and how much does it help the staff and players that there is such a strong following at both home and away matches? 

Richard: “The supporters at Caernarfon in my opinion are the best in the Welsh pyramid. I knew the team had a good following after watching them a few times last season but to be a part of the club and witness it home and away every week is quality and I know that the players and us coaching staff appreciate the support. I would also like to give the Clwb Caneris (Canaries Club) a mention and thank them for the hard work they put in behind the scenes. It is evident how much Caernarfon Town means to them.”

OW: Iwan has brought the ‘Un Clwb’ ethos to the club, do you think that everyone at Caernarfon Town is pulling in the same direction?

Richard: “Yes I definitely think that everyone is pulling in the same direction.  There is a certain buzz around the club from the Academy all the way to the first team and this includes the ladies teams, who are flying at the moment. I think that everyone working together is a credit to Iwan as he has everybody believing in him and his ‘Un Clwb’ ethos which isn’t an easy task to achieve. It takes a lot of hard work, long hours and determination to do this but with the effort being put in by everyone at the club from the Academy to the  groundsman, canteen staff, fans and the Board everyone wants the same thing as Iwan and that is to get Caernarfon town back where we belong, in the Welsh Premier League.”

OW: Who’s the biggest joker in the dressing room?

Richard: “There are a few jokers and characters in the dressing room but the top three for me would be Kev Bach, Gas and Joe Williams.”

OW: Who’s got the worst musical preferences in the dressing room?

Richard: “We have a playlist on Iwan's phone for which everybody had to choose a song for pre match, but I'm not sure who chose what sorry.”

OW: If you were manager of our current squad would you give Iwan a game?

Richard: “If I was the manager would I give Iwan a game? Ha, ha that’s a good question! He could certainly do a job and has played in a few positions over his career so would be a decent versatile player to have in the Squad. Iwan in his prime would get into my team but currently I think he would be on the bench. Sorry Gaffer!”

OW: Going forward, what do you think is a realistic target for the team this season?

Richard: “I think a realistic target for the season is to retain both the League and the League cup and get a good run in the Welsh Cup, which I know the fans would love.”

OW: Do you have a message for the Cofi  Army?

Richard: “My message to the Cofi Army would be keep up the great support and remember it’s a marathon not a sprint. Un Clwb.”

A massive thank you to Richard for taking the time to answer all the questions and especially for being so honest when asked about whether or not Iwan would get into his team! On a more serious note though, as a Town supporter I know that we’re in the fortunate position of having a very vibrant and dynamic management team and what excites me is the prospect of where they can take us.

It’s early days for Richard at the club but he has already proved to be another great signing by the manager!

Un Clwb.