Sudlow eyeing success with Wellmen as he praises new recruits

Holywell Town central defender Gareth Sudlow believes his time at Caersws was the best of his career but is now looking to the future as he eyes success with the Wellmen alonside his new seasons. 

The central defender spent some seasons at Caersws and Conwy Borough before joining the Huws Gray Alliance outfit.

The experienced player has spent one season at Holywell, but is looking forward to the new season ahead.

“I look back on my time at Caersws fondly. We had a great side at the time made up of local lads with Graeme Jones and myself. The people behind the scenes made my time there so special and made the trip down from Chester worth it, they would do anything for you and I really enjoyed my time there.”

The former Bluebird has said nothing will ever compare to his time at Caersws, where he stressed the energy and intensity of the Mid Wales Derby with Newtown.

“The experience was great. I tasted it first with Newtown before signing twice for Airbus and Caersws. The Newtown derbies were always the highlight with well over 1000 people at each game.”

The former Airbus man hailed former manger Craig Harrison for what he did at Airbus and the former defender said he’s not surprised how good Harrison is doing in his management career.

“Craig was a brilliant manager. All the lads really got into the togetherness he instilled in the dressing room. He worked us lads ever so hard. Sometimes getting off the training pitch after 10pm but you can see why he did it now, to make us better players. I’m not surprised to see how he is doing and I fully expect Craig to go higher again.”

The defender reflected on his time at Conwy where they challenged Cefn Druids for the Huws Gray Alliance title, and he hailed Conwy’s off the field work.

“I look back on that season and we were so close to catching them. We had to beat Druids at Y Morfa with a few games to go to go above them and we just couldn’t manage it. We had a great side, very strong and it’s a massive shame we never went up that year because they definitely wouldn’t be where they are at the moment. In a false position as off the pitch Conwy is geared up for the Welsh Prem.”

However, in recent years the centre half fell out of the game and wasn’t enjoying his football. The player decided to play with his mates in a local side.

“I just wasn’t enjoying my football like I would have liked so I decided to start our old local side up again in Chester to get back to enjoying football with my mates again. We had a very strong side with the likes of Danny Desormeaux and James McIntosh, won some trophies so got the bug back again.”

Despite his time away from the higher level, Sudlow worked his way back to that level and admits Holywell manager John Haseldin was the reason he signed for the Wellmen.

“Johnny was the reason why I signed with the club, I was in contact for over a year with him and once preseason last year came around I wanted to see what it was all about and since then I’ve loved being at the club. The lads are a great bunch and the fans are different class, the best around. I’ve had a number of offers whilst at Holywell but have never been tempted because it’s brilliant playing for the club.”

Holywell had a successful season last time out but are only looking to kick on further this coming season. He says the new signings have given the team a massive boost because of their quality.

“The signings have really given the squad a massive boost because they are all of the highest standard. Danny Desormeaux I’ve played with for years and after watching him recently had to get him to Holywell. He doesn’t give the ball away and is a superb signing for us this season as I haven’t played with many better.

Steve Lewis needs no introduction to our fans after being here before. A real fans favourite and the way him and Tucker are linking up together I’m just happy as a defender they are on my side. Shaun Pearson in goal is another great signing bringing more Welsh Premier experience to us.

All the boys are buzzing with the new lads coming in and we can’t wait for the season to start.”

Sudlow admits he doesn’t set any individual targets but he’s looking forward to the new season, in what is going to be a very tough league next season. But, he’s confident Holywell can be the surprise package this season.

“I don’t really set individual targets just team ones. I want us to be right up there challenging for the title this year. The league has never been as competitive as this with the likes of Rhyl and Airbus coming down to what was already a tough league, but I’m very confident in this side that we are going to be the surprise package this year.”

(Featured Image: Holywell Town FC)