Garw boss Nigel Jordan talks of Welsh League ambitions after Division One promotion

Garw SBGC boss Nigel Jordan has spoken about the ambition of playing in the Welsh Football League, following the clubs promotion to the Premier Division.

It’s been just under a decade since the Pontycymmer based side played in the Welsh League. They were relegated from Division Three after finishing bottom in an eighteen team league. The club hadn’t been out of the Welsh League up until their relegation back in the 2009/2010 season.

With just one promotion spot available in the Premier Division, it is a task not many clubs have done over the years, in winning consecutive promotions to the Welsh League.

Teams such as Cardiff Draconians, Canton Liberal and Ynyshir Albions, have all held their own however after winning promotions from the lower leagues.

Players such as Kris Evans, James Hardwick, Shaun Williams, Harry Davies and captain Nathan Rose all remained at the club, despite Blanche’s departure and have reaped the rewards of playing in a higher division, for remaining at the club.

“Next season is just around the corner and work is already underway to strengthen the current squad of players. We as a club are working towards regaining a place in the Welsh League,” said Jordan.

Small steps both on and off the field have taken us to Alliance Premier which is a tough league and getting harder to win promotion from every year.

I’m looking to consolidate this year and learn about the teams’ strengths and weaknesses to be better equipped to challenge over the coming years.”

Jordan arrived at the club having taken over from a youth role at nearby Penybont. He replaced the departing manager Ryan Blanche who is now manager at Cornelly United.

“I came into the club from Penybont to make a difference and help the club to regain Welsh League status.

Several good players had jumped ship with Ryan, I was confident I could get the remaining players working hard and be in the hunt for promotion at the end of the season.

The nucleus of the team was very strong having gained promotion at a canter the previous season. The first job was to gain their support so we didn’t lose any more players.

Every player was up for the challenge and bought into what I wanted from them.”

Free-scoring Garw were ranked as Division Two’s top goal scorers last season, scoring 117 goals and conceding just 26.

They continued their nack of scoring into the next season, scoring 84 goals, which had them ranked as the leagues’ second division highest goal scorers, just behind the champions Cefn Cribwr.

Garw got the ball rolling winning his first six games in charge, as well as winning the final five games of the season in their run-in, helped them finish above nearest placed Trebanog and FC Cwmaman.

“Scoring goals we seemed to do at ease. The attacking options at the club are probably our strongest part of the squad.

Rotation and substitution were a massive part of the challenge and keeping players motivated to earn the shirt and don’t let games pass them bye.”

Having worked predominantly with youth players, working with Penybont’s Academy, Development and Reserves sides, as well as four years experience as a coach with Francis Ford and Paul Wiseman with the first team. This is Jordan’s first achievement in senior level football as a first-team manager.

“This is my first managerial promotion which is a massive achievement for both the club and myself.

Collectively the whole club pulled together worked exceptionally hard on the training ground so that come match day we were in the best possible shape for the game ahead. “Effort plus performance gets results”

It’s right up there with all my playing career achievements. I’ve been lucky to play in some very good team and gaining various awards, cups and promotions on the way. I hate losing it’s not an option in my book.”

(Featured Image: Garw SBGC)