PORT TALBOT TOWN – BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
After the club’s relegation to Division one, Port Talbot Town FC has had a huge overhaul.
We took time out to speak with Corey Glover to get the insight on the re-structure of the club.
Many of our readers would be delighted Corey to understand your role at the club. Please could you confirm your involvement at PTT.
“I have been at Port Talbot Town football Club for 10 years. My initial involvement was as a supporter thanks to Nigel Hunt and his boy Cassius Hunt who got me involved in the 1901 Ultras Supporters group.
I then began to take an interest in coaching and become a coach in the junior section of the club passing all my qualifications doing the under 12s. Recently I progressed up the coaching ladder and entered the Academy section.
A huge thanks to Mark Pike who is the clubs academy director for getting me involved and starting off doing the Under 12s academy. Currently I coach the 13s and help assist Darren Gardener with the Under 14s Academy.
I have also recently helped coach the under 16s Girl team as well and I carry out a lot of coaching within the club to help progress these players to the respective men and women’s first teams”
Do you feel that the image of the club has been tarnished with the fall out from the betting scandal and the relegation?
“Unfortunately, many people on the outside do not look at the many positives of Port Talbot Town football club and everyone looks towards the negatives, sadly because of the betting scandal and what happened last year regarding the license.
Unfortunately, the current league position also affects people’s judgement of the club. I cannot stress highly enough to all readers of Clwb Pêl-Droed that everyone connected with the club is working 9-5 at the club and working their socks off to build a bright future for the club.
Lots of praise must be directed at new Chairman Gerald Payne Committee Members; Lawrie Stanton, Darren Oates, Brian Oates; Vice-Chairman Gerald Johnson, Club Secretaries Gary and John Dawkin. They are just a few who are working non stop and indeed everyone else connected to the club is committed 100 per cent.”
Lots of clubs involved in Welsh football have enjoyed highs and lows do you take inspiration from other clubs in the Welsh system.
“Without a doubt all clubs will go through a tough time, that’s football, but the key point is what you do as a club. Sometimes you have to suffer the bad times to get to the good times. Look at Barry Town, Llanelli Town and Prestatyn they have had dark times but are now moving again in the right directions. Barry Town now have a fantastic 3G pitch, a good structure and are looking to go back into the WPL after an absence of several years with a terrific fanbase.
Just down the M4 from us Llanelli Town have one of the best grass pitches in the Welsh Pyramid and with Lee Trundle now playing for them it has re-vitalised the club and enabled them to look to gain promotion back into the Welsh League Division 1.
Indeed, more recently the real worry that Prestatyn Town faced financially is another example, but with help from the community and beyond they raised money to keep the club going which is fantastic news for Welsh football.”
It seems that PTT are stabilising at the moment and with the fans staying loyal to the club, are there any individuals or clubs you would personally like to thank for their help.
“On a personal note I want to thank Trefelin BGC football club because the connection we have and enjoy with them is fantastic. I would also like to thank Steve Green chairman of Trefelin BGC and Christopher Latham manager of Trefelin BGC for having such a strong connection with Port Talbot Town Football Club.
They have had a great start to the season as well and their players and staff and fans deserve a lot of credit. I hope that they can keep it going and have a successful season this year. Everyone at PTT would be delighted for them”
It certainly looks like PTT are doing all they can internally to ensure a bright future and move away from the negative press.
“There is no doubt that the structure at the club has improved and the hours and work that everyone is putting in at the club is tremendous with everyone working hard for the benefit of the club.”
With the immeasurable work going on behind the scenes at Port Talbot Town, it may not be long before we see the Steelmen return to the more stable club the fans recognise. Whilst sojourns in Europe may be a while off, promotion back to the top flight may not be as far off as people imagine.
