Meet one of the youngest managers in Welsh football already making an impact…
He’s one of the youngest managers in Wales and his side are just one round away from playing top-flight teams in the Welsh Cup, this is Daniel Bell…
At 24-years of age, Daniel Bell is the manager of Welsh Alliance League side Nantlle Vale.
He’s already won silverware in his role, winning the Manager of the Month award in the month of August, with his side currently sitting third in the division.
With no league defeats as a manager this season, Bell’s start to life as a manager has run smoothly so far.
So who is this up and coming, manager?
Starting off with the Bangor City, Bell was with the Citizens for five years, before dabbling between Manchester United, Wrexham and then signing a scholarship with Oldham.
But a ruptured ACL cost Bell the chance of representing Wales U19’s, seeing his chance with Oldham slip. He then had to go to Bangor’s rivals Caernarfon and Porthmadog, before joining hometown team, Nantlle Vale.
A return of his first serious injury, Bell moved into management as he recovered from his injury last year.
And with Nantlle Vale threatened by relegation, it was the hometown hero which staved off the possibility of relegation and has now since rejuvenated the side.
Bell said: “Having been involved in football at a high standard I hope to be able to emulate this as a coach and be successful at the highest level possible within the Welsh Pyramid.”
Having recovered from an 8-0 hammering in his first game and seeing eight players. Nantlle Vale is now about giving youngsters a chance.
Those experiences of being near the bottom of the table last season has put in the foundations for this season’s success, both in the league and in the Cup.
The Nantlle Vale manager said: “The squad we had the end of last season gave us a solid building block to build on. I am very pleased with the personnel we have recruited over the summer from the lower leagues.
Proving they are good enough to be playing at this standard with their performances so far this season.
Attracting quality from bigger clubs has proved difficult as we have no budget to work with.”
This weekend, Nantlle Vale host Cymru Alliance League side Guilsfield, making the 151-mile-round trip to Clos Mytton this Saturday.
Guilsfield currently sit mid-table in the Huws Gray Alliance with five victories, one draw and six defeats. Nantlle Vale suffered defeat in their last outing to Llandudno Albion.
Ahead of the game, the manager said: “We have done our homework, preparation in training this week is vital. Then it’s down to the individuals on the day to perform.
For a club, the size of Vale to be in the second round with the possibility of drawing a big Welsh Premier side next round is an achievement in itself.
The club will gain from the publicity but most importantly for a club, our size is the financial aspect.
It’s unrealistic to believe we can win it, but to win this game and lessen the financial burden on the club would be massive. It’s my first experience in the Welsh Cup as manager and I have loved every minute, I hope the journey continues.”
(Featured Image: Welsh Alliance League)
