Airbus chairman Mayfield says Wingmakers can challenge next season

Wingmakers chairman Mick Mayfield has said that the club can challenge in the Huws Gray Alliance following their relegation from the top flight.

After 13 years in the Welsh Premier League, their stay in Wales’ top league came to an end as they finished bottom of the division, 9 points behind nearest side Rhyl.

But Mayfield, who was speaking to the official website, is optimistic about how the club can do in the second tier next season but is aware of how tough and competitive the division could be, with sides like Caernarfon and Rhyl also in the same division.

“We are under no illusions of how difficult that challenge will be. There are some very strong sides in the league, and if we are to make a serious challenge this coming season, we cannot afford to be complacent and will have to improve significantly on last seasons performance.”

Surprisingly, Steve O’Shaughessy left his role of Director at Football at Welsh Cup winners Bala Town to join Andy Thomas as assistant manager at Airbus back in December and Mayfield knows that some may be surprised that they’d persist with the management team after their relegation but puts it down to the club needing a period of stability and feel that the two can bring that to The Airfield.

“I think people are surprised that we have kept Tommo and Steve on but things are not always what they seem to the outside world. We have had a huge amount of comings and goings over the last 24 months regarding players, management and backroom staff.

We feel that a bit of stability is what is required at the moment.  We at the club believe that there is nothing wrong with loyalty and I think we have shown that in buckets full with things that have gone on off and on the pitch over the last couple of years.”

What may come as music to the ears of Airbus fans is that plans have already been put in place for next season and that transfer targets have already been drawn up as Andy Thomas aims to assemble a squad capabl of returning to the Welsh Premier League at the first attempt.

“From the moment we knew our fate, been hard at work looking at our squad, seeing where we need to bring in or release players, and have created a wish list of players they would like to bring in.

If they can bring in just half of the players on that list, with the players already pledged from last season, we will have what I consider a very strong team capable of making a strong challenge in the league.”

On a finishing note, the Chairman has also thanked fans for their continued support of the club and hope that next season can be a better one than the one just passed.

“The committees are hard at work raising finances to make sure that we, at Airbus, maintain football of the highest standard that our supporters and facility deserve. I must also thank the committees and helpers whose reaction and response to our present situation has been fantastic.

“We will miss the challenge of the Welsh Premier, but will be doing our utmost to get back as soon as possible.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal sponsors and supporters for sticking with us for what was a really hard season, that we never saw coming, and look forward to working with and cheering with you all again in the future.”

(Featured Image: Graham Haines)