PHOTO FROM DAILYPOSTWALES
Afan Lido manager Liam McCreesh will face his former side Port Talbot this weekend as Afan Lido entertain The Steelmen at the Marson Stadium.
Interestingly, McCreesh will come up against one of his former managers when his side play Port Talbot. The two both spent time at Lido when Evans was manager alongside Phil Holmes.
Port Talbot currently sit 14th in Division One, just one point out of the relegation zone but McCreesh says Port Talbot will improve if Evans is given time.
“I think they’re having a tough time at the moment because everyone thinks of it as their Cup Final when they play Port Talbot, they are a Welsh Premier League team really and should still be there.
Paul and Phil are very good managers/coaches and I think they need time to put their stamp on the team, I’m sure they’ll be successful at Port Talbot.”
The Neath born player ruled himself out of the fixture, saying how hard it is that he’ll be watching as a manager rather than having an impact on the match as a player.
“I’d love to be playing in this fixture, it’ll be very hard for me not being involved as a player, but circumstances dictate that I’m resigned to the sidelines, for the moment!”
Asked if he ever sees himself managing Port Talbot, McCreesh gave a dignified response, singing the praises of his former side.
“Port Talbot are a great club, the fans are amazing there. They’re very loud and passionate and deserve to be in the WPL. I’m happy at Lido at the moment, it’s a great club with a great set of lads.”
When signing for Port Talbot Town, McCreesh had always had aims of playing for the club.
I was excited when I signed for Port Talbot, it was a new challenge for mysself and the club always held a place in my heart as my late dad was the vice chairman there. I always wanted to play for Port Talbot at some point in my career. ”
And what brought him back for a second spell?
“I went back there after Jarred Harvey and Craig Hughes took over, knowing them both well I wanted to work with them.”
During his time at Port Talbot, Liam received recognition from the Welsh Premier League, winning the Welsh Premier League; Player of the Year award in the 2009/2010 season, when he went up against Martin Rose and Steve Evans.
“I was over the moon when I won the player of the year, especially with the two great players that were nominated.” said McCreesh.
The midfielder who left the club to play for Australian side Northern Tigers, featured for Port Talbot in their Welsh Cup final defeat to Bangor City at the Parc y Scarlets, scored in the final to equalise for Mark Jones’ side. Dave Morley would score the winner for Bangor though in stoppage time.
“It was a great honour to play and score in the Welsh Cup final, if it had gone to extra time we would have won.” mentioned McCreesh.
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