It has come as no surprise to me that the first instalment of my exclusive interview with Caernarfon Town's vice captain, Jamie Crowther, proved successful with supporters of the club.
Jamie's been a popular figure at the Oval since his arrival in January 2017 and is a huge influence on the team.
In this second, and final, part of our interview, the big midfielder talks unsung heroes, bad dress sense and most difficult opponents, amongst other things.
It goes without saying that I thank Jamie for taking the time to answer every question in such an honest, and detailed manner and I hope everyone enjoys reading his answers as much as I have....
You've said that you were aware of the club's support before you joined us so has it lived up to your expectations?
Jamie: “Without doubt it has and more. I said previously about the bond between supporters and players and it seems to be growing even more. Obviously having local lads playing for the club is great as the fans know them away from football but for the likes of myself who isn't from the area the reception I had when i first joined and continue to have is excellent. It's not even just the home games though that the fans get behind us, there's those who literally travel up and down the country to support us and honestly as player's that means so much to us. I always think to myself when I play that people go out to work all week and then will spend their hard earned money on watching us play football, while we might not play well every week as a team we will work as hard as we can and put in as much effort as possible and I know that the fans appreciate that.”
Although the core of the team has remained the same since you arrived there have been a few changes to the squad and I was wondering how the present squad compares to the one when you arrived?
Jamie: “I think that this current squad of players we have now is excellent and we just seem to be getting better and better. The more experience that the younger players like Ryan Williams, Brads, Sam Jones are getting the better they are becoming. One thing that's impressed me is the signings we have made from the Cymru North coming into the side adding extra quality and also doing really well at this level. Although I only played ten games I think it was the year we won the league that squad was excellent, Kev Bach and Kev Lloyd are two players that I think back to when I think of that team and what they did for this football club. Not only were they good players but also great lads in the changing rooms.“
Did you know Huw before he joined us in January and what do you think he brings to the management team?
Jamie: "The summer I left Cefn Druids to go to Stalybridge Huw came in as manager and I had a few training sessions with him and that was the first time i came across him. Over the years I have obviously played against his teams who are always well organised and fit. In our push for Europe this year his experience is going to be vital. I think he's settled really well into the group and what he's done as a manager previously is something that gets him instant respect. I think it also helps that he speaks Welsh because otherwise Daz would be really struggling in the shape sessions! Just that extra pair of eyes and opinion on the game is massive also and each one of Eards, Fish and Huw have their own personality and it works really well together."
What are your three favourite matches for Caernarfon Town and why?
Jamie: "Its quite hard to narrow it down to only three games really, my number one is easy but I'll go in reverse order...
3) My debut against Queens Park away scoring 2 was a great start to my Caernarfon career however this season beating Penybont 3-2 at home just pips it. We hadn't really played very well on the day and even though Penybont are in a relegation fight they are a tough, honest bunch of lads. However with the game at 2-2 we had a free kick with only a couple minutes to play, Nathan took the free kick and forced the keeper into a save and like a true fox in the box I managed to somehow tackle it in and we won the game 3-2! That poachers instinct I keep telling Eards about....
2) Last season beating Connahs Quay Nomads 1-0 a
1) My favourite game is easy and is probably the best game I have ever experienced. Supporting
n in our tracksuit I never paid for a drink all night it was some hangover the next day!"Which one match would you prefer to forget as a Caernarfon Town player?
Jamie: "The one match I want to forget is easy and that is v Prestatyn in the cup this season where I got myself sent off for having a go at the referee. If one of the lads I coach did that I would go mad at them but it was naive and we all make mistakes!"
What do you think are the main differences between the Cymru League North and the
Cymru Premier League?
Jamie: "I think fitness is one of the biggest differences between the Cymru North and Cymru Premier. At this level now it's not enough to just be able to train once or twice a week you have to make sure you look after yourself in terms of going to the gym/doing your own running and making sure you prepare correctly for games. The use of analysis in the Cymru Premier is key also, being able to look at different formations the opposition team plays and then that informing your training session is something the management team are really keen on."
What were your expectations for the team in our first season back in the Cymru Premier League and do you think we have surprised a few people by achieving a Conference position in our two seasons back in the top tier?
Jamie: "The first day of pre-season the year we came up Eards asked us what our target was for the
Who do you think is the side's unsung hero?
Jamie: "Ryan 'John O'Shea' Williams without a doubt. It was no surprise to me that he collected all the awards last season and he got my vote for players player of the year. I absolutely hammer him about being just like John O' Shea the former United player because he can play in so many different positions and you need players like that. This season though I think I could be right in saying that he's the only outfield player to play every minute of every game? That says alot and hes cemented his position at centre back there. For me I cant believe he hasn't been considered for the Wales C squad. We have one of the best defensive records in the league with him a part of yet I never hear his name mentioned, it baffles me. It's great that he is a local lad also and his mum and dad travel all over the country to watch him play and hes going to go on and be a great future captain of Caernarfon without a doubt."
Name a starting eleven, and two subs, of the best players you've played alongside in your career thus far?
Jamie: "This is the hardest question ever to have to pick an eleven of players I have played with and there are quite a few lads I play with now that will make it."
Goalkeeper - Alex Ramsey, although I have never known someone to moan as much as he does.
Right Back - Joe Williams, Mr. consistent Joe is one of the best defenders in a 1v1 situation
Centre Back - George Horan, a real leader and winner and would head a brick if you threw that in the air for him to head
Centre Back - Gaz Edwards, I had to put my other car school mate in but again a real leader with gaz and George at centre back we wouldn't concede many but it would also be the slowest race I have ever seen if them two had a sprint race against each other.
Left Back - Kev McIntyre, played hundreds of games in the football league and was coming to the end of his career but had unbelievable quality.
Right Wing - Gaz Evans, I have played a lot of games with Evo over the years but while he couldn't trap a bag of sand I would want him in my team every week.
Centre Midfield - Danny Harrison, again a player who has played all his career in the football league and someone who I learnt so much from watching and playing with week in week out.
Centre Midfield - Sean Williams, currently playing at Altrincham but for me could be playing much higher, I use to win the tackles and then let him get all the plaudits in midfield together haha
Left Wing - Shelton Payne, at Colwyn bay we needed to win the last 6 games to not get relegated, with his goals that season he literally dragged us through games and was unplayable.
Striker - Rob Hopley, club captain at Colwyn Bay and I have never seen anyone work as hard as him on the pitch, every game he would come off battered and bruised but also a really nice fella.
Striker - Andy Cook, I have been desperate for Wrexham to sign him for years, currently playing in the football league and again I wouldn't want to be a centre back having to mark Rob and Cooky upfront who are a real handful !!
Subs:
Leo Smith - If Leo doesn't go on to play in the football league then I give up on football, he's been exceptional for us this year and would love him to go back to Wrexham and play even though I have told him he should be aiming higher than them now.
Daz Thomas - The most natural ability I have ever seen in a player and I bet half the time he doesn't know how he has done some of the things he does. He is probably sick at listening to me scream at him from behind to go left or right or mark a certain player but he is so gifted.
In addition to playing, I understand you have been coaching for a number of years. Which badges do you have Jamie, and is this an area where you want to develop further?
Jamie: “Yes alongside playing I absolutely love my coaching. I have worked at Airbus academy for over 10 years now and hold the role of Head of Youth while also head coach of the U16s. Last year I passed my UEFA A License which was a great course for me. The FAW Trust have a great education system here in Wales and that's why we are seeing so many big names come over to Wales to attend the courses. On my course I had the likes of Lee Bowyer, Juan Pablo Angel and DJimi Traeore and the knowledge these guys have of the game is great to be able to tap into as they are still working as coaches or managers at the highest level. With the development of the education system it is also allowing for better coaches in Wales in turn helping us to produce better players for the future and hopefully over the next few years we see more and more players come through our academies and represent the first team in the Cymru Premier League. For my own future in terms of coaching I have always made it clear that I want to go into management. I have played for a lot of managers some good some bad but I have always learnt from them and taken bits here and there. I knew that I was a natural leader and even from an early age so I think as I get older coaching is something I really want to take seriously, I have recently just turned 28 although none of the lads believe me and take the mick saying I look older but I think I still have a couple of years of playing left in these legs.”
Who has the best dress sense in the Caernarfon Town dressing room?
Jamie: “To be fair the best dress sense I think I will have to give to my car school mate Rambo. On a night out he never has a hair out of place and absolutely loves a denim jacket. Again when we were in Manchester for our end of season trip couple seasons ago he actually rang the club to make sure he could get in with the gear he had taken up with him!!! Some dedication to making sure he looked good.”
Who has the worst dress sense in the dressing room?
Jamie: “Worst dress sense is easy but is a tie between two......Fish and Brads. Fish because he needs to realise that he's now not 18 anymore and walking round dressed like he's a football hooligan when we go out is not a great look. As for Brads am not sure what shops he goes to or where he gets his gear from but its horrendous and I hope he has the receipts to take it back. I think all the lads would agree with me on this , but I know Fish will be raging when he sees it and am sure I will receive a light hearted message from him !! I could probably stick Eards in here as well now I think of it.....I know he works in a school but why he feels the need to wear his work clothes on a night out and dress like a teacher is beyond me!”
What’s your favourite film?
Jamie: “If I am honest I am not a massive film person, I quite like old World War films like Saving Private Ryan, Dunkirk, Fury that type of film. I think it's because I have so much respect for anyone that has served for our country and watching these types of films brings a sort of realisation as to what people went through and go through now to someone like myself.”
Other than the Oval, which is the best ground in the Cymru Premier League?
Jamie: “I really enjoy playing at Newtown’s Latham Park, am not sure why as I don't think I have ever won there as a player, if Chris Hughes reads this he will be made up and am sure I will take some stick for it in work but he hasn't heard the end of it from me after we beat them 3-1 the other week! I must add that I have won a couple of finals there as a coach though so my luck there isn't all bad!”
Who has been your hardest opponent, both player and team, whilst playing for Caernarfon and why?
Jamie: “There is two really who I would have to pick for this. The first is Danny Redmond at TNS, the first time I played against him last season at home they beat us and I had to man mark him, he had just come into the league from Scotland so didn't know much about him but I don't think I really got near him all game, I was chasing him around and couldn't get close enough to make a tackle until I got one opportunity to kick him after about 30 minutes, I made sure he was ok we had a bit of a laugh then I spent the next hour chasing him again! The second is a born and raised Cofi James Owen who is also one of my good friends. I hate playing against Jay because he doesn't give you a second on the ball and is in your face ratting around he is honestly one of the brightest players in terms of understanding and reading the game, it probably makes up for him being not so bright off the pitch and is probably the only player who kicks it out of play more than i do! But when I go into management Jay will be someone I turn to for advice and maybe I could tempt him to come back coaching with me.....”
Grass pitches or 4G, and why?
Jamie: “Definitely grass over 4g pitches for me but that's probably because we are spoilt at The Oval as Wyn does an unbelievable job on the pitch and it's a carpet each time we play on it.”
Tell us about singing Stand By Me after matches?
Jamie: “I’m not really sure how it came about if I am honest. But after each win we nominate someone to sing usually based on a performance, if someone has scored or if we have a new player come into the changing rooms. I think little things like that are great for team spirit which is something we have in abundance in our changing rooms not just with the players but with the management staff also.”
Welsh Cup or Cymru Premier League, and why?
Jamie: “The league is your bread and butter isn't it and it's what you fight for week in week out to ensure you finish as high up as possible to get a chance to compete in the play offs for a place in Europe but there is something special about the Welsh cup that provides you with added spice in games. Obviously last year we had the opportunity to play Bangor, most recently we had a great win v Cefn Druids on a very wet and windy Friday night which was a bizarre night, firstly for seeing me score which doesn't happen very often, Brads with a diving header which meant he is now even closer to becoming bald and a video of our Captain Gaz right in the middle of the Cofi Army behind the goal going mental when we scored! Obviously we now have a Welsh Cup semi-final to look forward to V Cardiff Met at Newtown which I am sure will be a great occasion.....as long as we get to that final!”
And finally, do you have a message for the Cofi Army?
Jamie: “Upon doing this interview as a nation we are currently experiencing a difficult time where there is lots of uncertainty around what is to come in the next couple of months. Football at this moment in time is no longer a priority and I hope that everyone stays safe and well in the coming weeks/months. When football does resume again we have some massive fixtures to look forward to. Firstly we have the opportunity to get ourselves into a Welsh Cup final and secondly another opportunity for Europe as we will enter the play-off games. Believe me as a group of players and staff we will be working as hard as we can to try and provide an opportunity for this football club to experience a European campaign. Since I have been here it has been one hell of a journey already and I really wish that the journey continues with a road to Europe and as fans you are a crucial part of this journey with us! The support myself and my family have received personally since joining has been amazing along with the support of the team and I know that this will continue and I hope to see you all soon! Stay Safe and Thank you!!”
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