With the recent bad weather resulting in a virually non-existent fixture schedule over the past six weeks, I thought it was time to ask Caernarfon Town manager Iwan Williams if he would be happy to sit down and share his thoughts on his first nine months as manager of the Cofis.
I was pleased, and not a little chuffed, when he agreed and set about putting together a list of questions that I wanted to ask him. Never one to shirk a challenge, Iwan answered each and every one in great detail and in so doing I believe he has provided a revealing insight into his first months as manager of the Canaries. I hope everyone finds this as interesting as I do!
Diolch yn fawr iawn Iwan!
How has your first few months in the job been?
Iwan: Tough! It’s been a steep learning
curve for me since becoming Manager of this fantastic Football Club but one
that I’ve enjoyed. Thankfully, there have been more ups than downs thus far,
and long may that continue!
 |
| "I had prepared for the hard work." |
You have been playing at a high level for a number of years and will
obviously be aware of the heavy workload managers at this level are burdened
with, but has the job been different to what you had been expecting and if, so,
in what way? Have you been faced with any unexpected surprises?
Iwan: I’ve played for some fantastic
managers over the years and still speak to most of them on a weekly basis, and
they continue to give me good advice. I had prepared for the hard work and
stressed to the club’s Board and my family that I was going to put everything
into it.
I think it all depends on what
you want out of the job I suppose. I’ve set myself goals and objectives which
won’t be achieved by cutting corners.
What has been the most pleasing aspect of the job thus far?
Iwan: When I was named as the new manager,
I knew people would question the Board’s decision and rightly so given I have
no previous managerial experience. Having said that I think I’ve managed to
change some peoples’ perceptions, which is always good.
However being top of the pile at
Christmas having endured a relatively poor start to the season has to be the
most pleasing aspect up to now. That is down to the players though, as I can
only do so much until they cross that white line on a Saturday.
We still have a lot of work to be
done but I firmly believe we’re on the right track.
What has been the most frustrating part of the job up to now?
The referees……only joking!
Having experienced the injury
crisis we did in September, not having a Reserve side or a permanent Under 19’s
side to dip into and utilise has been very frustrating. We had to cancel
training sessions to keep the fit players wrapped in cotton wool and went into
some matches with less than eleven who
were fully fit. This meant that we had to bring new faces in whilst the injured
players recovered, so having to balance and keep everyone happy has been a
tough and frustrating task. Hopefully that will change next season and in my
eyes it has to, not only for the benefit of the first team but also because of the
number of talented young players around the Caernarfon area.
I know you have a strong philosophy on how you want the team to play
and this is how the team team began at the beginning of the season. However I
have seen slight changes in the formation in certain matches and was wondering
if this something you had planned for or was it something you’ve felt you’ve
needed to adapt along the way?
Iwan: As a manager you have to know how
and when to adapt. As a team, we have a core philosophy which we try to stick
to. However, with the winter months causing heavy damage to pitches we’ve had
to change some of our tactics. We’re never going to be able to play the style I
want us to play all through the season, so sometimes we have to play
percentages. Before every game, we assess the condition of the pitch, the
players we might face, then adapt our tactics and pick the team accordingly.
From listening to you speaking about the game, and from what I’ve heard
from the players, you have a very professional attitude which I believe shows
in the way the team plays and the players conduct themselves. Can you explain
the things that make a difference and why you feel it is so important to be as
professional as possible?
 |
| Joe Williams and Rob Jones recovering after a training session. |
Iwan: I’m a big believer in preparation
and recovery, regardless of the standard you play at. We introduced pre-game
team meetings away from the changing rooms to make sure the players switch on
for the matches properly. We also introduced post-game protein shakes to
recover especially during winter months or when we play three games in seven
days. Its little margins that make the difference in football and I also
believe that it helps attract players if they know that you’re trying to do
things the right way. If we want to be in the Welsh Premier League, then I
believe it’s important to prepare the players now for some of my expectations
should we manage to get there.
 |
Gareth Edwards poses with Ken Doherty
as he gets ready for some extra running. |
With this in mind, what do you think about the players being spotted at
various times recently stocking up on their calories in McDonalds?
Iwan: Haha!! ‘The foreigners’ (Gaz,
Ellis, Rob and Joe) as I like to call them, continue to assure me that they
were invited to go for a meal with snooker legend Ken Doherty. However, I doubt
that he would invite them to McDonalds!
Just ask them about 70/70’s at
training! The more comments or pictures I see on social media of them eating
and drinking unhealthily, the more running they do in training!
The personnel has changed within the team since the Summer and you’ve
brought in a number of players into the squad. Can you explain your thoughts
about bringing in Rob Jones, Danny Brookwell, Darren Thomas and Kevin Lloyd to
the club?
Unfortunately, at this level
players come and go on a regular basis, and again without a Reserve side we as
a management team cannot stand still. You have to be active and watch as many matches
as possible to continually improve your squad.
 |
| Rob Jones. |
I had played with Rob Jones at
Connahs Quay so knew what he had to offer. He started the season at Conwy and
when we played them in September he bossed the game in every aspect which
immediately made me want to bring him on board. He also has the experience to
go with his ability, having played for Connahs
Quay and Bangor for a number of years in the WPL.
Danny was a different story. I
played for Llanfairpwll years ago when Danny came and did pre-season with us as
a young lad when he was home from the Marines. I knew back then that he had
something special about him.
 |
| Danny Brookwell. |
When I heard he was back for good and playing at
Glantraeth I went to watch him a couple of times. In one of the games he scored
a goal from the half way line and then nearly got sent off for kicking out. I
saw enough to confirm to myself that he had good enough ability, and could
handle himself physically, to deserve a chance in the Cymru Alliance, and he
hasn’t disappointed.
There’s not much I can say about
Darren Thomas that people don’t already know. I’ve played in the same team as
Darren and know what he’s capable of so when players of his calibre become
available, you just have to make room for them. He’s been top drawer since
coming back in and I think he’s enjoying his football more than ever. His
performances certainly prove that.
 |
| Darren Thomas has been "top-drawer". |
 |
| "Kev Lloyd has been fantastic since he re-joined." |
Kev Lloyd was a thorn in the two
games we’ve played against Llanrug since I took over at Caernarfon. He scored
in both games also. People questioned the thought of bringing him back as he
had a reputation of being disruptive. I can honestly say that I’ve seen no
signs of this. In fact it’s been the complete opposite. He has been fantastic
since he’s re-joined and if anything I’ve criticised him for being too much of
a team player by looking to play his team-mates in instead of going for goal
himself. Kev loves the club, and the supporters and the celebrations after he
scored against Denbigh proved that the relationship is mutual.
You also signed Tom Taylor recently and explained that it would take
time for him to regain match fitness following injury. What is the latest
regarding Tom?
Iwan: For me, Tom has the potential to
be the best Centre Half in the Welsh Pyramid and I was pleased he wanted to
join us. He trained with a Welsh Premier League club in the summer and
unfortunately suffered a serious knee injury. He had surgery and is now looking
to get back to match fitness. We’ve sent him out on ‘loan’ to Llangefni to get
competitive minutes and I will monitor and look to bring him back into the
squad as soon as he is ready.
What has been the highlight of the first half of the season for you?
Iwan: Being top at Christmas and
developing such a great changing room where players are genuinely working hard
for one another.
Can you pick out the team’s three best performances so far?
Beating Bala at home in the Word
Cup has to be up there. They fielded such a strong side that night and having
gone a goal down early on and then come back to win the game in the manner we
did was very pleasing.
 |
| A special night at the Bangor University Stadium. |
Beating Bangor away at The Bangor
University Stadium was a special night for everyone connected to the club. The
following we took that night was incredible and an experience that will live
with me forever. We also only had eleven players fit for the game so to
out-battle them in the manner we did was exceptional.
Personally though, I have to say
that my most pleasing performance was Away at Prestatyn recently. We took a
beating from them at home in the second game of the season and got taught a
lesson. That was a defeat I took very hard. To go a goal down early on and come
back to win the game against our title rivals was again brilliant and credit
must go to the squad for their mental strength. It put the 2-4 defeat at the
Oval to bed and proved to many people how much we’ve developed as a squad since
the start of the season.
What has been the biggest disappointment thus far?
Iwan: The Welsh Cup game at Goytre has
to be my biggest disappointment to date. The Welsh Cup is a competition I loved
to play in, so to go out in the manner we did was disappointing. We controlled
the whole of the first half and missed countless chances. The rest is history!
Who has been the best team you’ve faced this season?
Iwan: Prestatyn were big, strong and
dominant in our home game against them early on in the season.
I also admired Gresford’s
performance against us at the Oval. They came with a game plan and stuck to it
very well. They frustrated us immensely and I admired their keeper’s
performance.
I remember talking to you at the Oval before your announcement as our
manager and you told me that you were nervous about managing such a big club.
Do you still feel this way?
Iwan: I tend to get nervous about
things regardless of what I do. I think it’s because I’m desperate to do well.
To get the call welcoming me to the
Oval from the Chairman was something I never expected, so to actually be
appointed Caernarfon Town manager so early on in my managerial career was
something I was grateful for. I was nervous because I was desperate to repay
the faith shown in me by the Board. I still get nervous before every game, and
tend to not sleep the night before. Fear of being a failure is something that I
fight against on a daily basis whether it’s at work or with Caernarfon, so that
nervousness will never leave me.
Have you been surprised by the level of support the club has?
Iwan: Not at all. I firmly believe that
this club has the best support in Wales. I still smile when looking back on the
photos of them all at the Bangor game! If we were to get to the WPL I believe
we’d outnumber any club on their own patch! It’s not just the number of fans
that Caernarfon Town Football Club has that’s impressive, it’s the passion they
bring with it.
 |
| Iwan with Town's Head of Academy Haydn Jones. |
Your motto is ‘One Club’ and you have certainly been taking a keen
interest in all aspects of the club since joining us. What do you think of the
work Haydn and Nathan carry out with the Academy and Football in the Community
respectively, how important is their work, and how have you been involved?
Iwan: What Haydn, the Academy coaches and
staff and Nathan have done over the past couple of years is fantastic. They’ve
developed two successful entities which have given the young footballers in
Caernarfon and the area a pathway to eventually feed into the first team whilst
Nathan’s Football in the Community Project has brought the Caernarfon Community
closer to the club. I’ve tried to delve into things as much as possible with
the Academy by showing a keen interest in attending their games and getting to
know some of the children. For Nathan, I managed to gain sponsorship for him to
buy new equipment etc. It’s important that we support both of them from a first
team perspective as much as we can, and I will continue to do so.
You have also taken a keen interest in the Canaries Club. How have you
been involved with them and what are your thoughts on the work they are doing?
Iwan: The Canaries Club are a very
special group of people. When I met them before the star of the season we sat down at the ground and spoke about
football. I was seriously taken aback with how passionate they were towards the
club. The amount of fundraising and work they’ve done, and the support they’ve
shown me is one of the main reasons why I want to get this club back to the WPL
as quickly as possible.
How frustrating has the last two months been, with all the postponed
matches at a time the team had been playing so well?
Iwan: Very. We have momentum at the
moment and have not lost in the league since September, so you can’t help but
worry that when games get called off on a regular basis, it might disrupt us.
However, with the mentality and work ethic these lads possess I don’t think
many things would disrupt them once they step onto a football field. They are fully
focussed on winning matches and it’s only a matter of time until we play all of
our opponents anyway.
How have you tried to keep the team as match fit as possible during
such inactivity?
Iwan: Yes, we’ve had to be innovative
in trying to work around these postponements and keeping the group ticking over
together. It’s been difficult to find a venue to suit when fixtures don’t get
called off until the morning of the match. For example, when our home game
against Flint got cancelled I managed to get us into the Main Hall at Canolfan
Brailsford for a training session (see photos). The venue wasn’t ideal to work on team shape
and patterns of play but we made the most of it and combined small sided games
with a bit of fitness work.
Can you discuss the training match behind closed doors at Airbus, and
the reason why you played it? Also, I believe some of the team’s Under 16’s were
given a run out? How many of the youngsters played and how did they do?
Iwan: Having not played since the
Denbigh game on the 18th of December I was a bit concerned about
going into such a big game against Prestatyn lacking competitive minutes. I’m
on the A Licence with Airbus’ Assistant Manager and he offered us the chance to
travel up there to play them in a friendly at short notice. I jumped at the
opportunity and so did the players. We managed every player’s minutes taking
into account the Prestatyn game was to follow a couple of days later, and also
brought some youngsters with us to sample the environment and to gain
experience. Aaron Davies Thomas and Huw Williams from our Under 16’s side came,
so did Ashley Owen who represented the Under 19’s and he is someone I will keep
a close eye on between now and the end of the season. All three handled and
conducted themselves very well and were a credit themselves as well as Haydn
and the Academy.
 |
| Garden Gnomes? |
Obviously it’s important that the players stay healthy during this
weather and, judging by this photo you took recently, I assume you’ve told them
all to wear hats? Who’s got the best headgear in the team?
Iwan: I am big on players looking after
themselves and staying healthy but I have to be honest, wearing those woolly
hats was not my idea! I thought we had a fleet of garden gnomes sitting at one
side of the dressing room at Mold when Darren, Jay and Nathan turned up in
those awful hats. So the answer is no-one possesses the best headgear! Having
said that, Jamie Breese trumps the three of them as he keeps turning up in
awful snapbacks which he wears the wrong way round and can only still be
fashionable in Welshpool or America. The four of them though, haven’t got the
slightest idea about fashion like I have!
Summer football, or are
you a traditionalist?
Iwan: This is something I’ve been vocal about recently given
how frustrated I’ve been over the amount of games we’ve had called off. In the
past I don’t think that anyone could argue when I tell people that, as a player, I was as traditional as they
come. I
 |
| Jamie Breese donning one of his snapbacks. |
loved a derby match in the wind and rain, but nowadays, being a student
of the game, I’ve completely changed my opinion. My argument is that if we were
to switch to the summer then matches would not be called off (or not as often!),
it would attract bigger crowds, the standard of football would be better and
for the WPL clubs competing in Europe, it would mean they would be stronger and
fitter when the ties come round as they’ll be half way through their domestic
season. Just a thought!
Which FAW course are you
now on?
Iwan: I’m on the UEFA A Licence course which I will be
completing in May.
Have you been taking
part in analysis work during recent Wales Under 16’s matches?
Iwan: Yes I was part of the analysis
team that studied the Welsh Under 16’s during their participation in the
Victory Shield. It’s for coaches to enhance their learning on a Continued
Development Programme where they call you in and give you topics to study
during the game. Then at half-time and full-time you spend time with some of
the coaches running through your findings which can help them gain some
information on topics the Under 16’s need to improve on as they prepare for the
next match.
We’ve just passed the half way mark in the league season and the team
is currently joint top of the table with Cefn Druids. How will you and the team
approach the second half of the season, and do you think we’re in with a chance
of getting back into the WPL?
Iwan: We’ll approach the second half of
the season the same as the first. We have fourteen cup finals left and if we
apply ourselves properly and continue to approach the games as professionally
as possible then there is no reason why we cannot get back to the WPL.
I must mention that we not only
have a talented group of players at present but the morale and togetherness
within the dressing room is up there with the best I’ve experienced. They are
willing to work hard for one another and if they continue to do that then the
quality will look after itself.
Finally, do you have a message for the club’s supporters?
Iwan: Thanks for your continued
support. Keep following us in numbers as you have done throughout. We share the
same goal as you and are determined to repay your support by doing everything
we can to achieve promotion. Diolch.
