Croesyceiliog move quickly to swiftly appoint joint Panteg manager Gareth Wilmott

Division Two side Croesyceiliog have moved quickly in their search for a new manager as they appoint joint Panteg manager Gareth Wilmott.

The Gwent club were on the lookout for a new manager following Waddon’s resignation and they’ve found his replacement in just a matter of days, as Wilmott makes the short move across Torfaen.

Croesy confirmed the news on their website on Sunday afternoon after news initally was broken on social media, before their 5-0 victory over AFC Porth on Saturday afternoon.

The club had been paying close attention in to how Gareth’s progress at Panteg was unfolding and on Thursday evening, both parties met as Willmott agreed to take up the role as both felt the same ambitions were shared by one another.

Willmott’s first task was to appoint club captain Mark Morris as Assistant Manager as he shapes his management staff. Jamie Jenkins will remain as part of the backroom staff after helping both the previous manager and taking caretaker charge last Saturday.

The former Cwmbran Town player returns to Woodland Road in a new capacity after playing for Croesyceiliog during his playing days, where he was part of the succcessful side that won back-to-back promotions to Division One where he will be hoping to emulate that under his guidance as First Team Manager.

As well as playing for Croesyceiliog, the youthful manager also took charge of the clubs reserve side, where he had finishes of 3rd, 2nd and 5th under his watch, as he helped bridge the gap between reserve and first team Football.

In his first full season as manager of Panteg, he guided the club to their highest place since being in the Welsh League, as they secured a sixth placed finish last season, as he assembled a squad capable of competing in Division Three.
The departing Panteg manager paid tributes to his former club for giving him the opportunity of senior level management and has been grateful in the opportunity of managing at Panteg House.

“I want to say a massive thank you to Panteg. They gave me the opportunity last season to step into first team management and it’s something I will always be grateful for. They are a great club with great people running it.”

But for the former Goytre man, the new job for him will be to take charge of his hometown team, as he describes how much of an opportunity this is for himself.

“Being appointed Croesyceiliogs First Team manager is something I’m extremely proud of. The club means an awful lot to me and I’m going to give it everything in trying to make the club successful again.

I am now excited and motivated to move into the next stage of my management career with my home town club Croesyceiliog.”

Following Willmott’s departure, Mark Taylor will continue as manager with Paul Brown and Chris Townsend assisting Taylor, but Panteg are expected to make an announcement about an addition to the management team, following the gap left by Gareth.

Gareth’s first game in charge will come against Division Two title favourites Pontypridd Town this coming saturday as he and Croesyceiliog look to make a statement in this new era in Gwent football.

(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)