Welsh Football League Division Three side Trefelin Boys & Girls Club have appointed Richard Ryan as their new First Team manager following the departure of Mark Pike.
The Port Talbot coach took over as manager back in March after Chris Latham stood down but he has since returned to Victoria Road and now Ryan is the new man at Ynys Park.
The Trefelin boss will be assisted by coaches Robert Cockings and Dave Morgan are already at the club as they help Ryan settle in as the new boss.
The former Bridgend Town and Goytre United forward has won five Welsh League titles as a player and is now looking to take his winning pedigree as a player into management.
He’s worked under experienced managers with a winning pedigree like Craig Duggan, Robert Cooke and David Morgan and has said that the way they coached him may play a part in how he goes about the managerial world.
“I haven’t sought advice from former managers yet, although I imagine their influence will have an impact on the way I manage. Ultimately thought, I want to do things my way.”
A majority of his title were in the Port Talbot area with Goytre United, as well as winning a division title with Aberdare & Aberaman Athletic who are now Aberdare Town. He worked with now Llanelli Town manager Andy Hill as his assistant-manager.
He will now look to give to the Port Talbot community in a managerial sense and says the way the club approached him blew him away when the two met for negotiations.
“I was flattered by the initial interest shown by Trefelin. After meeting the chairman and committee, I was so impressed with the people at the club and their passion to succeed. It was obvious that their ambition matched mine, which ultimately made my decision an easy one.”
His knack for goals having been the top scorer in the Welsh League for eight-consecutive seasons including scoring an impressive 54 goals in one season could install confidence into the Trefelin strikers under his managerial-ship and could be a sign of an attacking style of football under Ryan.
Sometimes a manager can make wholesale changes once they take over a club but for Ryan the club will continue as it is and is looking to work with the tools he has.
“I inherit a fantastic group of players, most of which are friends outside of football – something which I have learned through experience can be a priceless tonic for success.
I decided to keep the current coaching staff to work alongside me. Robert Cockings, Chris Latham and David Morgan all have Trefelin in their blood and know the players very well. All are genuine football men and, along with the chairman Steve Green, work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the club keeps going forward.”
The 33 year-old has also had experience in the Welsh Premier League for both Port Talbot Town and Aberystwyth Town.
And with that top flight experience, Trefelin could be just two divisions away from the Welsh top flight should they achieve Ryan’s ambitions of promotion this season.
“My number one aim is to create a winning mentality right through the club. I genuinely believe we have the right personnel there do that, both on and off the pitch.
I am not the kind of manager or person to say that my first season will be one to consolidate our league position. The target is promotion, and I have no reservations on putting that kind of pressure on myself. I also believe my players are good enough to handle that kind of pressure.”
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