Caernarfon Town team spirit echoes Neil Warnock’s Cardiff promotion heroes
Both tricky to beat, both adapting to a new division and both have managers adored by their supporters.
These are just a few comparisons shared between English Premier League side Cardiff City and Welsh Premier League side Caernarfon Town.
Caernarfon’s team spirit and togetherness is a joy to behold. The Canaries may not play the best football in the league, but similar to Cardiff City, they’re a tough nut to crack.
After failing to obtain the domestic licence after a superb season under Iwan Williams, as well as losing to Prestatyn Town by a huge margin.
Sean Eardley continued the job of Iwan Williams, making them a solid outfit and in doing so, winning the Cymru Alliance title, in a similar fashion to how Cardiff claimed their promotion to their top flight.
The two sides are worlds apart in terms of the semi-professional and professional game, but Caernarfon Town have the best team spirit in the top flight.
Having watched Caernarfon against Cardiff Metropolitan a fortnight ago, I was impressed by the stubbornness of Caernarfon. They quietened a Cardiff Met attack, restricting them all game.
Cyncoed Campus is usually a tough place for sides to come to, with the Students last losing at home in March.
That was just their eleventh defeat out of thirty-three home games, since their promotion to the Premier League.
But Caernarfon came with a game plan and delivered.
On Wednesday evening, the Cofi’s registered their best win yet. An away win at the home of the Welsh Cup winners, the Connah’s Quay Nomads.
This Connah’s Quay Nomads side had recently beaten Falkirk, away from home in the Irn Bru-Cup. Jamie Breese’s goal proved to be the decisive one, winning by that slender margin.
But as per usual, they were backed by a passionate travelling Cofi Army, who have been with them come rain or shine, home or away.
Currently boasting the best attendance record in the league, after recording a 1.3k crowd against The New Saints, this feels like good times for Caernarfon Town.
It’s early days, but Caernarfon Town are already enjoying life in the top flight again. They’ve added a new dimension to the league, with many happy to see their progress.
Local boys are being given a go, with not many wholesale changes in the summer, as Sean Eardley recruited just four new players.
Their ‘UnClwb’ mentality isn’t just a slogan, they’re delivering on it, they’re acting by what they say.
Even former players can’t stay away. Dion Donohue was present as the Cofi’s recorded an opening day victory over Cefn Druids, in front of a bumper crowd.
The relationship between players and supporters is at it’s strongest. The club is one.
Cardiff aren’t fancied to avoid the drop, but for Caernarfon, they may be thinking different things should this run continue.
Barry Town United did it last season, where retaining their Welsh Premier League status would have been the objective, but as the season goes on, their sights may turn towards securing a European play-off spot.
With Barry Town United up next, it may just be a match the Welsh domestic scene can enjoy, with both sides battling through adversity to reach where they are today.
(Featured Image: Paul Evans)
