Airbus UK manager Andy Thomas wants his team to challenge for the league and rebuild for the season ahead after an overhaul at the club after their relegation from the Welsh Premier League last season.
Thomas took the reins from Andy Preece during pre-season last summer after his departure and after their relegation the former Wrexham and Wales player says it will be a difficult season with the strength in depth of teams in the Huws Gray Alliance.
“We as club want to be challenging for the league and rebuild for the club but it will be difficult with the amount of big teams in the league.”
Despite a difficult season last time around, Thomas is excited at the prospect of the challenge in the Huws Gray Alliance with his side, and despite it being a world away from the glitz and glamour of the Welsh Premier League and it’s grounds, the manager is looking forward to visiting some new grounds.
“I’m really looking forward to playing in the Huws Gray Alliance and coming up against different teams and visiting new grounds in the league”
The former assistant and coach at Airbus and now current manager Andy Thomas has overseen wholesale changes at the club this summer, with a raft of changes in personnel during this summer and believes their pre-season preparation has been good.
But Thomas knows the difficulty of dropping down the divisions and after it was confirmed Airbus would be playing in the Huws Gray Alliance, Thomas began evaluating the other teams they’ll be faced with this season.
“I always go to games in the Huws Gray Alliance as there are a lot of good players in the league. I know Iwan {Williams} really well so I’ve spoken to him about the league.”
Thomas will take his side to league newcomers Llandudno Junction on the opening day, as the Wingmakers play their first second tier match in 12 years as Junction play their debut Huws Gray match. However, he is not underestimating his opponents and is expecting a tough match against the newcomers.
“They will be a tough test. I’ve been busy sorting my team together then going to watch games. Pre season games doesn’t give you the full story as teams are always changing their teams, I’m just concentrating on getting my team right.”
Despite the difficulty of seeing numerous summer changes, many expect the club to be challenging for promotion this season as they seek an immediate return to the top flight. But, Thomas is being more cautious as he expects a lot of teams to be challenging at the top of the league.
“There are a lot of teams who have got good squads. Caernarfon, Rhyl, Flint, Holywell, Gresford are strong. I don’t know much about the other teams yet. But, I saw Queens Park in the final last year against Gresford and they look good aswell.”
(Featured Image: Graham Haines)
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