Ooohhh Nathan Craig.....An Exclusive interview.

Nathan Craig needs no introduction to anyone reading this blog. Quite simply, he is Caernarfon Town Football Club’s talisman.

A former ball boy at the Oval who became a Welsh Under 21 international and played professionally for Everton and Torquay, Nathan is in his second spell with the club and, since re-joining us in the Summer of 2014 he has been a shining light both on and off the field. 

He is both club captain and Head of the Caernarfon Town Football in the Community Programme and, over the past five years, he has become an integral part of what the Cofis are trying to achieve as a real community club.

I published an exclusive interview with Nathan back in June 2015 where he spoke at length about his first full season with his home-town club and his experiences in the professional game, which you can read by following this link:

http://ovalways.blogspot.com/2015/06/nathan-craig-on-torquay-mcdaid-and.html

Much has happened in the intervening years and, as Nathan has been involved directly in most of it, I thought it was about time to catch up with him for a look back at what has been an enjoyable and successful, but also sometimes difficult, period in the club’s history….

Nathan with Caernarfon Town's main sponsor, 

Margaret, owner of Gofal Bro Cyf

You first played for Caernarfon in October 2011. How did the move come about and what do you remember of your debut and of that time with us?

Nathan: “I got in touch with Arfon Jones the Chairman at the time as I had just been released by Everton and wanted to play week in week out to keep my match fitness up. Luckily he agreed and it was a fantastic feeling to put the Caernarfon Town shirt on for the first time.”

You then had a stint in the football league with Torquay and returned to the Oval in 2014? 

Lee Dixon was the manager at that time and the team was by now in the Cymru Alliance League. Did it feel that the team had improved much by then?

Nathan: “Yes, there were a lot of new faces and a lot of work had been done around the Oval too, which was very pleasing to see. We also had a few of my former teammates from my Everton days such as Danny Murphy and Moses Barnett.”

What do you recall of the 2014/15 season, when the team finished second in the league?

Nathan: “The League back then was exactly how it is now, unpredictable, with everyone beating everyone, which shows how great a competition the Cymru Alliance was, and still is.”

The Football in the Community project was set up in 2014 and you have led it for the past five years. Can you tell us about the importance of this, and explain your role in the project?

Nathan: “I love every minute of it. I see it as I get the opportunity to share the experience I’ve gained over the years through football and give it back to the community. I’m trying to engage with as many children as I can so then I know they’ve all had the chance to experience what we have to offer which is fun football in a safe environment. What’s great about being in and around all the Schools in the area is that we see many of them at the Oval who come from the local primary and secondary schools to support our first team and also it’s fantastic to see the children wearing Caernarfon Town merchandise.” 

What type of opportunities do you offer, and what's your typical day in the role?

Nathan: “We offer Breakfast Clubs and Lunch Clubs at Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen School and after-school clubs where we cover Ysgol y Gelli, Santes Helen, Maesincla, Rhostryfan, Bro Llifon and Bontnewydd. We also hold popular half term camps.”

Which age groups do you work with?

Nathan: “The age the kids can start with us at the half term camps is 4 years old, which is schoolyear 0.”

Have you seen through your FITC work that the interest in the club has increased, especially with the team having become become so successful in recent years? 

Nathan: “Yes massively, and that’s all that the local children talk about during the week and especially this season as our games are on Sgorio. They often talk about our previous games and ask when the next home game is as they want to attend and support us which is fantastic.”

Who was your favourite player growing up?

Nathan: “My favourite player growing up was David Beckham, as I am an United fan and Beckham used to play in the same position as mine and, of course, used to take set pieces which I always used to try and copy.”

Who is your favourite current player?

“My favourite player now is De Bryune at Manhester City. His vision and passing range is unbelievable and I’ve been to watch him play this season with a School trip and seeing him live was a great experience.”

Who is the best player you have played with, and why?

Nathan: “I’ve played with a lot of current top-flight players but the best I’ve played with is Joe Allen when I used to play for Wales Under 21’s. His composure on the ball was brilliant and he always made the youngsters feel welcome and comfortable when we made the step up to the 21’s.”

Who is the best you've played against, and why?

Nathan: “The best player I’ve played against would have to be Raheem Sterling. I remember when Liverpool signed him from QPR when he was fifteen and he played his first game for the Youth Team a few days later against us at Everton. He was playing two years up (age group) and had so much talent, and I couldn’t believe how quick he was for a fifteen year old.”

As previously mentioned, you rejoined the club for the 2014/15 season, and the team did well to finish runners-up to Llandudno. How much of a shock was it to see Lee leave the club at the end of the season?

Nathan: “It was a big shock at the time as obviously we had done well as a team on the field that year to finish second behind a very strong Llandudno team. Perhaps Lee thought he had taken us as far as he thought he could.”

The club then appointed Iwan Williams as Lee's successor. What did you know of Iwan, and what changes did he make?

Nathan: “I played against Iwan during our last game of the season against Caersws so I knew about him, and that there were strong rumours circulating that he would be our next manager. I thought Iwan was a very professional manager and he brought this ‘one club’ ethos back in to the club and community which was very important at the time.” 

The 2015/16 season was a special one, with the team winning the Cymru Alliance League. What were your highlights during that season?

Nathan: “As you said it was a very special season and for me personally the highlight was receiving the Player of the Year for the League at the end of the campaign.”

How disappointing was it to hear that the club had failed the Domestic Licence criteria and therefore would not be promoted?

Nathan: “It was very disappointing and really hard to take at the time as we as players had done everything we could to get us up but for some reason off the pitch the club failed to meet the criteria.”

Did failing the criteria make you consider leaving the Oval?

Nathan: “I’m sure that a lot of players were thinking of leaving when the news came out and personally I had a few offers from other clubs in different leagues. However, as a group we decided to stick together and give it one last go and try and get the club back to where it belongs.”

How did it feel to be made club captain for the 2016/17 season, and was this something you had thought might happen, or was it unexpected?

Nathan: “It was unexpected but it’s a privilege to put the yellow and green shirt on never mind being a captain. For me, being a local boy, I feel immensely proud and happy to lead the team out.”

We finished the 2016/17 season as runners-up but won the league cup. How did it feel to lead the players out in the final and to get to collect the cup as captain?

Nathan: “Leading the team out is a proud moment every single game, but to lead us out in the Cup Final and getting to lift the Cup at the end in front of all the fantastic Cofi Army was an unforgettable experience.”

What did you know of Sean Eardley when he joined the club as assistant manager in the summer of 2017 and what effect did his appointment have on the squad and club, in your opinion?

Nathan: “To be honest I didn’t know too much about Sean, only the fact that he had the same role as me at Llandudno in the Community and also that I’ve played in the same team as his brother Neal, for Wales Under 21’s.”

The 2017/18 season began well and we were top when Iwan left in late October. Was his decision a shock?

Nathan: “Yes, obviously, as you don’t usually hear about managers leaving when things are going well, especially as well as they were going for us, as we were top of the League when he left. But that’s football and these things happen, it was then down to as players and as a club to keep going with the momentum we had to get the club back to where it belongs.”

How important did you feel it was for the club to make an early announcement regarding Iwan’s successor, and how did you and the squad feel when Eards took on the job?

Nathan: “It was massively important as we just had to keep doing what we were doing which was winning games and staying top of the league. Yes this sort of change could have made us crumble but we showed the great character we had to stick together and kept the run going with Eards in charge. I thought it was a fantastic appointment as he was already involved with us, so for us players there was no change.”

How did the transition between managers go? Were there any big changes or was everything more or less the same?

Nathan: “Everything was more or less the same, and I think that was key to the success we had. There wasn’t too much that got changed as we all knew everything was going well on the field. It’s credit to Eards as well as there are a lot of managers who get a job at a club and immediately go and sign five or six players but that sometimes can disrupt things. So, he obviously believed in us as players and a group and what a perfect way to pay him back by getting the Club promoted.”

Having missed out on promotion two years earlier, did you and the team feel the pressure of going for the title last year?

Nathan: “No, not really. We didn’t feel the pressure as we all believed we had the ability to get the club back to where it belonged.”

How much of a relief was it that the club passed the Domestic Licence criteria last season?

Nathan: “A massive relief to be honest, especially after the disappointment of failing it when we last won the league. Getting us the licence was all down to the hard-working backroom staff, board members and volunteers of our great football club.”

How did it feel to finally clinch promotion to the Welsh Premier League?

Nathan: “It was a lot of weight off my shoulders as the reason I signed for Caernarfon in the first place was to get the club back to where it belonged,  competing against the best in the country.”

What have been the main differences this season? 

Nathan: “This season in the Welsh Prem the pitches are better plus it’s a lot more tactical as we get footage of every games so every teams do their homework."

Has it surprised you to see how well the side has adapted to the Welsh Premier League?

Nathan: “No, not at all. I have always believed in us and we just give one hundred percent every time we wear the shirt as it means so much. All we can do is give our best but the talent we have got is fantastic and we know on our day we can beat anyone.”

Who do you think is the side’s unsung hero, and why?   

Nathan: “In my opinion, and obviously everyone’s opinion is different, it has to be Ryan Williams. He got released by Wrexham and had a long time out due to injury last season but this season he’s been phenomenal. To play in so many different positions and do a great job wherever he plays, our unsung hero has to be Ry. I see him as a younger Clive Williams as he was, and is the same, a very good, versatile footballer.” 

Do you have any superstitions on match days?

Nathan: “No, I’ve never had any superstitions which is a bit unusual as most footballers tend to have some.”

What is your ultimate target as a Caernarfon Town player?

Nathan: “My target when I first joined was to get the club back into the WPL and when we did that last summer the target then changed short term into staying up first season and long term to compete in Europe!”

Nathan receiving his WPL Player of the Month Award

for November from Sean Eardley.

If you had to choose between winning the Welsh Premier League and the Welsh Cup, with Caernarfon, which one would it be, and why?

Nathan: “By winning either one you guarantee a European tie, which would be fantastic. But I think to be crowned Welsh Premier League winners would be the one as you’d then be champions of Wales.”

Which is the best goal you’ve scored for Caernarfon, and why?

Nathan: “The one against Barry Town home in the Welsh Cup last season as it was from a fair distance and at a very important time in the game.”

Which is your favourite match for Caernarfon and why?

Nathan: “Both times we defeated Bangor away.”

Nathan with Darren Thomas.

Who is the best Caernarfon Town player you have played with?

Nathan: “There’s a few that stand out but I have to say Darren 'bach'. On his day, with a ball at his feet, there is no one better, he’s unplayable.”

Grass pitches or 3G?

Nathan: “Grass pitches 100%.”

Malcolm Allen or Owain Tudur Jones?

Nathan: “Malcolm Allen!”

Defence or midfield?

Nathan: “Sitting Midfield.”

I know it’s early days, but do you have any ambitions to go into management when you’ve finished playing?

Nathan: “Yes, managing my own son in the next two or three years!! To be honest I haven’t thought about it as I still enjoy playing my Football.” 

If you could choose only one word to describe what the Cofi Army means to you, what would it be?

Nathan: “Everything.”

A huge thank you to Nathan for taking the time to answer all the questions I put to him, and for being as honest with his answers as we’ve all come to expect.

I’ve obviously concentrated on his football related experiences at the Oval in the interview but want to finish by saying that he has been a massive help to me as the club’s media officer and is always someone I can rely on for assistance whenever needed. I have lost count of the number of times Nathan has made himself available for media work and gone out of his way to do so, and this has certainly helped raise the club’s profile in recent years.

Diolch yn fawr iawn Nath!

Does Neb Fel Sean Eardley!

Yn ddiweddar, dathlodd Sean Eardley ei hanner canrif gyntaf fel rheolwr y Cofis ac felly, mewn newid bach i’r blog arferol, oni’n teimlo byddai'n braf edrych yn ôl ar rhai o'r uchafbwyntiau ei amser hyd at hyn yn y sedd boeth.

Airbus 3 – 3 Cofis. Tachwedd 11, 2017.

Roedd gêm gyntaf Sean wrth y llyw yn un eithaf heriol wrth i ni deithio i un o'n prif herwyr ar gyfer y teitl, Airbus, a phrin y gallai pethau fod wedi dechrau'n waeth! Yr oeddem yn dair gôl i lawr tu mewn i hanner awr ac felly nid oedd sgwrs hanner amser cyntaf y rheolwr newydd yn mynd i fod yn fater syml. Ond, nath beth bynnag a ddywedodd yn yr ystafell wisgo yn ystod yr egwyl gweithio, oherwydd roedd y Cofis yn hollol gwahanol dim yn yr ail hanner, i bweru yn ôl I cipio pwynt, gyda'r ' Wingmakers ' yn glynu wrtho am bwynt ar y diwedd. Wrth meddwl yn ol am y gem, roedd gan y canlyniad fonws ychwanegol i'r Cofis gan ei bod yn ymddangos ei bod wedi taro hyder Airbus ac yn difetha eu gobeithion am y teitl.   

Dathlu'r pwynt yn Dinbych.

Ymateb sydun yn gwenud gwahaniaeth. Dinbych 3 – 3 Caernarfon. Ionawr 6, 2018.
Wrth edrych yn ôl ar dymor 2017/18, mae'r pwynt yma yn Central Park yn sefyll allan i mi fel un o ganlyniadau allweddol yr ymgyrch. Nid oedd y tîm ar ei orau yn ystod yr hanner cyntaf ac, ar ôl ildio dwy gôl yn fuan ar ôl yr egwyl, ymatebodd Sean ar unwaith drwy anfon ar Kevin Lloyd a Jay Gibbs. Cafodd y newidiadau effaith galfanus ar yr ochr ac, er bod Rhys Roberts wedi cael cerdyn coch yn hwyr yn y gem, cafodd ‘Dre pwynt hanfodol gyda chic cosb Nathan Craig yn y pedwerydd munud o amser anafiadau.

Y Fflint 1 – 2 Caernarfon. Ionawr 20, 2018. 
Ar ôl tair gêm gyfartal yn flaenorol, a chyda Treffynnon ac Airbus yn ceisio cau'r bwlch ar y brig, roedd teimlad ymhlith y cefnogwyr bod angen buddugoliaeth yn erbyn y Fflint, a oedd yn gwella'n gyflym o dan y rheolwr Newydd, Niall McGuinness. Roedd nifer o gemau yn yr ardal o amgylch wedi'u gohirio oherwydd glaw trwm ac felly roedd mwy o dorf na’r arfer, ac roedd awyrgylch gwych yn Gae y Castell. Cafodd her anodd ei wneud yn galetach pan gafodd Jay Gibbs ei anfon oddi ar y cae ar ôl hanner awr. Fodd bynnag, cymysgodd Sean ei dîm o gwmpas ac fe raliodd y Cofis i gael y fuddugoliaeth, o ddwy gol i un. Roedd pwysigrwydd y tri phwynt yn amlwg, ac fe wnaeth y rheolwr hyd yn oed drin y Cofi Army i un o'i 'Eards Dives', er gwaethaf y mwd!

Sicrhau dyrchafiad.

Ymgymerodd Sean â rôl y rheolwr gydag addewid i wneud popeth o fewn ei allu i'n tywys yn ôl i'r uwch gynghrair. Fel y gwyddom, llwyddodd i wneud hyn ac er fy mod yn ymwybodol bod pawb ohonom sydd â chysylltiad â'r clwb yn llawn werthfawrogi'r hyn a wnaeth, weithiau teimlaf fod o heb gael y gydnabyddiaeth y mae'n ei haeddu o'r tu allan i'r Oval. Pan ymunodd Eards â ni fel is-reolwr yn Haf 2017 gwnaeth effaith ar unwaith ar bawb ond dwi’n siŵr ei fod o dal i ffeindio ei draed yn y clwb pan ymddiswyddodd Iwan Williams. Felly, yr oedd derbyn y rôl, ac nid yn unig  yn dilyn rheolwr llwyddiannus a phoblogaidd iawn, ond hefyd  y sialens o fynd â ni'n ôl i’r Uwch Gynghrair, yn her sylweddol. Mae Cynghrair Undebol Cymru yn hen gystadleuaeth galed ond aeth y rheolwr ati, heb unrhyw ffwdan a ffanffer, a chafodd y garfan at ei gilydd i lwyddo a sicrhau dyrchafiad i’r clwb. Am gamp i’r rheolwr ifanc!

Sean ar ol arwyddo Nnoah Edwards.

Cryfhau’r Garfan.

Yr wyf o hyd wedi teimlo mai un o faromedr hanfodol unrhyw reolwr yw cyfradd llwyddiant y chwaraewyr mae o'n denu i'w garfan, a theimlaf fod hwn yn faes arall lle mae Sean wedi gwneud yn dda. Y chwaraewyr cyntaf iddo arwyddo oedd Kevin Lloyd, Shaun Cavanagh a Jamie Crowther ac fe wnaeth y tri gyfrannu'n fawr i fuddugoliaeth tymor diwethaf. Mae Jamie, wrth gwrs, dal i fod gyda ni ac mae'n dipyn o ffefryn gyda'r cefnogwyr, ac mae Kev a Shaun wedi symud ymlaen ar ôl helpu’r clwb gael dyrchafiad tymor diwethaf. 

Yn ystod yr haf diwethaf, ychwanegodd Sean y canlynol i'r garfan: Ross Stephens, Ben Maher, Sion Bradley, Cai Jones, Noah Edwards a Nic Bould tra bod Leo Smith wedi ymuno â ni yn ddiweddar ar fenthyg tan ddiwedd y tymor. 

Penderfynodd Ben a Ross adael i gael mwy o gemau gyda chlybiau eraill, tra bod Cai, Sion a Noah wedi cael effaith fawr ar y tîm eleni. Mae Nic wedi gwneud yn dda yn lle Rambo yn ddiweddar ac mae Leo yn amlwg yn chwaraewr o safon ac yn dipyn o ychwanegiad at y Sgwad. I'm meddwl i, mae hynny'n gyfradd llwyddiant da iawn i Sean a bydd yn ddiddorol gweld sut mae'n llwyddo i barhau â hyn dros yr haf sydd i ddod.

Diwrnod Perffaith.
Caernarfon 1 – 0 Derwyddion Cefn. Awst 12, 2018. 
Cafodd Sean y pleser o reoli'r tîm yn ein gêm gyntaf yn ôl yn uwch gynghrair Cymru a nath o bob dim yn berffaith ar y diwrnod. Gyda thri o sêr y garfan tymor diwethaf, Clive Williams, Jamie Breese a Danny Brookwell i gyd yn cario anafiadau, rhoddodd y rheolwr ei ymddiriedaeth mewn pedwar o aelodau ei garfan a chafodd y tîm buddugoliaeth haeddiannol o un gol i ddim, diolch i gôl Cai Jones. Roedd yn ddiwrnod mawr i'r clwb a'r dref ac, o flaen camerâu sgorio, dechreuodd y Cofis y tymor newydd mewn tipyn o steil!

Trafod y buddugoliaeth drost Cei Connah.

Ennill y Frwydr.

Cei Connah 0 – 1 Caernarfon. Medi 11, 2018.  

Teithiodd y Cofis Cei Connah ar gefn dau drechiad ac, i fod yn onest, buaswn i wedi mwy na setlo am bwynt yn erbyn tîm roedd o bobl yn meddwl fyse'n herio am deitl UGC y tymor hwn. I bawb sydd wedi gweld y Nomadiaid yn chwarae o dan Andy Morrison, byddwch yn gwybod beth yr wyf yn ei olygu pan ddywedaf eu bod yn fwlis. Nid beirniadaeth yw hyn, ond sylw i'r ffordd y maent yn chwarae. Maen nhw'n ochr fawr, gorfforol sy'n hoff o frwydr ac sydd fel arfer yn llwyddo pan fydd timau'n eu cymryd ar y ffordd yma. 

Ond, ro'n i'n meddwl bod y Cofis wedi chwarae gêm Sean yn berffaith ar y noson ac yn llawn haeddu'r fuddugoliaeth 1-0, diolch i gol Jamie Breese. Dim llawer o dimau sydd yn ennill yn Cei Connah ond fe wnaethon ni.

Buddugoliaeth dros y Pencampwyr. 

Y Seintiau Newydd 0 – 1 Caernarfon. Tach 9, 2018.  
Mae'r clwb proffesiynol sydd wedi ennill Uwch Gynghrair Cymru am be sydd yn teimlo fel y chwarter canrif ddiwethaf yn wrthwynebiad aruthrol, ond mewn ffordd sy'n wahanol iawn i Gei Connah. Mae tîm Scott Ruscoe yn hoff o chwarae'r gêm pasio ac yn aml yn pasio timau i farwolaeth, yn enwedig ar eu tir eu hunain. Ar ôl haeddu mwy na cholli 0-3 yn ein gem yn yr Oval yn gynharach yn yr ymgyrch, heriodd Sean a'r tîm y Seintiau eto a, ar ôl hanner cyntaf caled a ddi-sgor, oni'n teimlo bod ni ar dop ar ôl yr egwyl ac roedd enillydd hwyr Nathan Craig yn hollol, haeddiannol. Mae'n dangos y gall rheolwr, ei dîm rheoli a'i garfan roi her iawn i ddim professional pan mae’r paratoadau'n berffaith.  

Newid siâp a sicrhau ein lle yn y chwech uchaf. 
Caernarfon 3 – 1 Caerfyrddin. Ion 5, 2019. 
Cipiodd y fuddugoliaeth hon le'r tîm yn y chwech uchaf ar gyfer ail gam y tymor ac, mewn gêm mor bwysig i'r clwb, nath Eards dangos ei donau fel tactegydd drwy chwarae dau streicir yn y ffrynt, a ddim yr un, fel yr arfer.  Roedd pawb yn gwybod beth oedd ar y lein ar y diwrnod, sef cyfle i chwarae am gemau yn Ewrop tymor nesaf ac, yn fy marn i, cafodd penderfyniad Sean i newid siâp ei dim dylanwad mawr yn y canlyniad yma.

Atgofion Melys. 
Bangor 1 – 2 Caernarfon. Ion 26, 2019.

Dathlu'r buddugoliaeth drost Bangor gyda Neil, o'r Cofi Army

Yda ni gyd yn gwybod beth oedd sgôr y gem yma, a beth oedd y fuddugoliaeth yn golygu i gefnogwyr y clwb. Roedd mwy 'na o 1300 o Cofis yno i gefnogi'r tîm ac oni mor falch â phawb arall yn y canlyniad. Yn ogystal â threchu ein hen elynion, mae yna dau uchafbwynt arall i fwynhau am y noson fawr yma. Y cyntaf oedd pan nath Sean a'i gynorthwyydd, Richard Davies, cerdded ar y cae tuag at y 'Cofi Army' cyn y gic gyntaf i ddiolch iddyn nhw am y gefnogaeth, er yr holl 'heclo' gan y cefnogwyr cartref. Yr ail foment melys oedd pan ofynnodd Eards wrthaf i gymryd llun ohono gyda llun o un o gefnogwyr mwyaf y clwb, Bob Bryant, a oedd wedi mynd heibio'n ddiweddar, i'w drosglwyddo i'w ferch, Bethan. Ystum o'r safon uchaf gan y rheolwr! 

Cyfweliadau difyr ac onest. 
Bydd y rhai ohonoch sy'n dilyn sianel 'youtube' y clwb yn gwybod y gallwn ddibynnu ar Sean am gyfweliadau difyr ar ôl pob gem. Ennill neu golli, mae o bob amser yn barod i siarad ac yn rhoi dadansoddiad gwybodus o berfformiad y tîm. Yr wyf wedi clywed bod criw sgorio yn mwynhau ei gyfweld, a chredaf fod hyn yn amlwg trwy edrych ar eu darllediadau. A phwy a allai anghofio'r cyfweliad a orffennodd yn Gymraeg gyda Bryn Williams, a'i gosododd ef i fyny ychydig, ond i gyd mewn hiwmor da, a gyda ymateb grêt gan Eards! Roeddwn i gerllaw pan gynhaliwyd y cyfweliad yma ac, yn fy marn i, roedd yn un o uchafbwyntiau'r tymor hyd yn hyn.

Felly, dyna chi, rhai o funudau gorau Sean gyda Chlwb Pêl-droed Caernarfon o le dwi wedi bod yn edrych. Wrth gwrs, mae yna lawer o achlysuron cofiadwy eraill i edrych yn ôl arnynt, y rhan fwyaf ohonyn nhw dwi wedi sôn am yn y blog dros yr un mis ar bymtheg diwethaf. Mae yna hefyd un neu ddau doeddwn i ddim yn gallu rhannu, fel yr amser rhedodd allan o'r gawod ar ôl gêm derfynol y tymor diwethaf i dynnu llun y chwaraewr â'r tlws Cynghrair (a fedra i ddim dweud mwy na hyn!). Cafwyd sawl achlysur y tu ôl i'r llenni lle mae o wedi mynd yr ail filltir i helpu'r clwb, ac mae o wedi gwneud hyn heb unrhyw ffwdan a ffanffer.

Os dos unrhyw reolwr wedi profi ei hun i fyny at y gwaith o ddeffro cawr sy'n cysgu yn y byd pêl-droed, ac ymgysylltu â'r gymuned gyfan i wneud hynny, Sean ydi o. Mae wedi bod yn lon hir a heriol iawn yn ôl i'r brig i glwb pêl-droed Tref Caernarfon ac, ar ôl Iwan adael, roedd angen rhywun arbennig i'n gwthio ni ymlaen i'r lefel nesaf. Mae hanner cant o gemau wrth y lliw wedi profi bod Sean Eardley yn ffit berffaith i'r Cofis ac ydw i'n edrych ymlaen i weld pa mor bell y gall fynd â ni yn y blynyddoedd i ddod!

Does neb fel Sean Eardley!

Ain’t Nobody Like Sean Eardley. Celebrating the first fifty.

Our recent Welsh Cup quarter final tie was Sean Eardley’s fiftieth match as manager of Caernarfon Town and, in a sideward step to the usual blog, I thought it would be nice to celebrate the landmark with a look back at some of the moments that I think have defined his first half century in the hot seat.

Wing-Breakers. Airbus 3 – 3 Cofis. Nov 11, 2017. 

Sean’s first match in charge was a difficult trip to Cymru Alliance title rivals, Airbus, and things could hardly have got off to a worse start! We were three goals down inside half an hour and so the new manager’s first half-time team talk was not going to be a straightforward affair. Whatever he said in the dressing-room during the break must have worked, however, because the Cofis emerged for the second half a completely different side and roared back for a 3-3 draw, with the Wingmakers clinging on for a point at the end. As an aside, the result had an added bonus for Town in that it seemed to dent Airbus’ confidence and derailed their push for the league title. 

Double Substitution Dents Denbigh. Denbigh Town 3 – 3 Cofis. Jan 6, 2018. 

Watching the second half fightback at Airbus. 

When looking back at the 2017/18 season, this draw at Central Park always stands out to me as one of the key points of the campaign. The team had not been at its best during a disjointed first half and, having conceded two goals in as many minutes soon after the break, Eards responded immediately by sending on Kevin Lloyd and Jay Gibbs. The changes had a galvanising effect on the side and, despite a late sending off for Rhys Roberts, Town clinched a point with a Nathan Craig penalty in the fourth minute of injury time. 

During the vital victory at Flint. Jan 2018. 

Upsetting the Silkmen. Flint Town United 1 – 2 Cofis. Jan 20, 2018.

Having drawn their three previous league matches, and with Holywell and Airbus trying to close the gap at the top, there was a feeling amongst supporters that we needed a victory against a Flint side that was improving rapidly under new manager Niall McGuinness. A number of matches in the surrounding area had been postponed due to waterlogged pitches and so there was an increased attendance, and a great atmosphere at the ground. A tough-looking challenge got even tougher when Jay Gibbs was sent off on the half hour mark. However, Eards shuffled his team around and the Cofis rallied to pull off an excellent 2-1 victory. The importance of the three points was obvious, and the manager even treated the Cofi Army to one of his ‘Eards dives’, despite the mud!

Clinching Promotion. 

Sean took on the managers’ role with a promise to do all he could to guide us back into the Premier League. As we all know, he was successful in doing this and whilst I am aware that all of us with an affinity to the club fully appreciated what he did, I sometimes feel he may not have got the recognition he deserved from outside the Oval. Iwan Williams was a hard act to follow and would have been for even the most experienced manager, never mind someone who was stepping up for the first time. When Eards joined us as assistant manager in the Summer of 2017 he made an immediate impact on everyone but I would guess he was still finding his feet at the club when Iwan resigned. Therefore, to take on the role and responsibility of not only taking over from a very successful and popular manager, but also to get us back to the promised land, was a serious challenge. The Cymru Alliance League is a tough old competition and when you’re managing the biggest club in it, everyone is gunning for you. The manager took it on, without any fuss and fanfare, got the boys playing and got the job done. What an achievement for a rookie manager!

Sean and his squad, ready for our return to the Welsh Premier League.

Signings.

I have always felt that a crucial barometer of any manager is the success rate of the players he brings into his squad, and I feel this is another area where Sean has done well in. His first signings were Kevin Lloyd, Shaun Cavanagh and Jamie Crowther and all three contributed hugely to last season’s title triumph. Jamie, of course, is still with us and has become a firm favourite with the supporters, whilst Kev and Shaun have moved on having completed the job the manager had asked of them last term. Last summer, new additions to the squad were Ross Stephens, Ben Maher, Sion Bradley, Cai Jones, Noah Edwards and Nic Bould whilst Leo Smith has recently joined us on loan until the end of the season.   

Ben and Ross decided to leave to get more match time, whilst Cai, Sion and Noah have made a big impact on the team this year. Nic has done well when called upon as Rambo’s understudy and Leo is obviously a quality player and addition to the squad. To my mind, that’s a very good success rate for the gaffer and it will be interesting to see how he manages to continue this over the coming summer.

Opening Day Smiles. 

Back with a Bang. Cofis 1 – 0 Cefn Druids. Aug 12, 2018. 

Sean had the pleasure of managing the team in our first match back in the Welsh Premier League and played a blinder. With three mainstays of the side, Clive Williams, Jamie Breese and Danny Brookwell all carrying injuries, the manager handed starting berths to four new signings and the side delivered with a well-deserved one nil victory, courtesy of a Cai Jones goal. It was a big day for the club and the town and, in front of the Sgorio cameras, the Cofis got it right to begin the campaign with a bang.

Winning the Arm Wrestle. Connahs Quay Nomads 0 – 1 Cofis. Sept 11, 2018.  

We travelled to the Deeside Stadium on the back of two defeats and, if I’m honest, I probably would have more than settled for a point against a team who many pundits had tipped to make a real challenge for the WPL title this season. If anyone has seen the Nomads play under Andy Morrison, you will know what I mean when I say they are bullies. It’s not a criticism, rather an observation of how they play. They’re a big, physical side who love an arm wrestle and usually come out on top when teams take them on in that way. I thought the Cofis played Sean’s game plan perfectly on this satisfying evening and fully deserved the 1-0 victory, this time courtesy of a Jamie Breese netfinder. Not many teams win at the Nomads but we did.

Rare Victory over the Champions. The New Saints 0 – 1 Cofis. Nov 9, 2018. 

The professional club that has won the Welsh Premier League for what seems like the last quarter of a century are formidable opposition, but in a way that is very much different to the Nomads. Scott Ruscoe’s side love to play the passing game and often pass teams to defeat, especially on their own ground. Having always given them a run for their money and, having deserved more than a 0-3 defeat to them at the Oval earlier in the campaign, Eards got the team going again for this one. After a very tough first half, I felt we outplayed the champions after the break and Nathan Craig’s late winner was no more than we deserved. It goes to show that a good manager, management team and squad can give full-time professionals more than a match when preparations are perfect.  

Top Six with Front Two. Cofis 3 – 1 Carmarthen. Jan 5, 2019. 

This victory clinched the side’s place in the top six for Phase Two of the season and in this penultimate fixture I thought Eards showed great judgement by playing two strikers instead of the tried and tested lone frontman. We all knew what was at stake for this one – survival and a crack at a European tie via the end of season plays offs, and Sean’s aggressive line-up was just the job as the Cofis impressed in a 3-1 victory.

Running the Gauntlet. Bangor City 1 – 2 Cofis. Jan 26, 2019. 

We all know how this Welsh Cup tie ended, and what it meant to the club’s supporters. An amazing 1300-strong Cofi Army turned up for this one and I was as delighted as everyone else at the result. However, in addition to defeating our old rivals, there were two other highlights to look back on fondly. The first was when Sean and his assistant, Richard Davies, ran the gauntlet of abuse by home supporters when they walked towards the Cofi Army before kick-off to thank them for the support. The second was when he told me to take a shot of him with a photo of one of the club’s greatest supporters, Bob Bryant, who had recently passed away, to pass on to his daughter, Bethan. That was pure class.    

Post-Match Interviews. 

Sean and Bryn Williams during their memorable interview

Those of you who follow the club’s you tube channel will already be aware that Sean can be relied on for strong interviews. Win or lose, he’s always ready to talk and gives an informed analysis of the side’s performance. I have heard it from good sources that the Sgorio crew enjoy interviewing him and I think that’s clear to see in their coverage. And who could ever forget the interview he finished off in Welsh with Bryn Williams, who set him up slightly, but all in good humour, and with a great response from Eards. I was nearby when the interview took place and it was one of my highlights of the season thus far.

So, there we have it, some of Sean’s top moments with Caernarfon Town from where I’ve been looking from. Of course, there are many other memorable occasions to look back on, most of which I’ve mentioned in the blog over the past sixteen months and one or two I couldn’t share, such as the time he ran out of the shower after the final match of last season to photo-bomb the players with the league trophy (and that’s as far as I can go!). There have also been numerous occasions behind the scenes where he has gone above and beyond his remit to help the club and its stakeholders, all of which he does without any fuss and fanfare. 

If ever a manager has proved himself up to the job of waking up a sleeping giant in Welsh football, and engaging himself with the whole community to do so, then it’s Sean. It’s been a long road back to the top for Caernarfon Town Football Club and it needed someone special to push us on to the next level. The first fifty matches of Sean Eardley’s reign have proved that he is the perfect fit for the Cofis and I can’t wait to see how far he can take us in the coming years!

Ain’t Nobody Like Sean Eardley.