Newly appointed Pontypridd manager Kendall outlines plans with Dragons
Pontypridd Town’s newly appointed manager Lee Kendall says he’s looking forward to putting his stamp on things after his appointment.
The Welsh Premier League veteran goalkeeper took charge of his first job in senior management, having taken over from Gavin Beddard earlier this week.
His only previous experience in a managerial capacity was with coaching the University of South Wales. USW won the BUCS Premier South title under the guidance of Kendall and Head of Football Steve Savage.
The former Haverfordwest goalkeeper said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been appointed. It’s a great opportunity for me in my first managerial job.
“I think as a coach you learn from a lot of different people. In my opinion, If I can take the best bits out of them,
“You’ve got to put your own spin on things. I’ve always worked as support staff or as an assistant. I’m pleased that I can put my own spin on things.
“I can also utilise key tips and pointers that previous managers I’ve worked under.”
“I’m pleased that Phil and Max have given me this opportunity to hopefully build the club. We are where we are at the moment, it looks like we’re in a position where the only way is up. I’m really excited.”
Kendall has been a coach with Welsh Premier League outfit Barry Town United, as well as being a goalkeeper coach at the reigning Champions The New Saints over the last few years, but now the 38-year-old will be the number one in the dugout.
“Having been in the Welsh Prem over the last two seasons I’ve worked under two excellent managers. I’ve taken a lot under Scott because we’re of a similar age.
“How he deals with his players, how they deal with things on a full-time basis. I’d like to take things out of that. We’re in a position where we’re semi-professional.
“Gav is a really good friend of mine. I’d like to put on record that he was excellent in the process of me taking this job. I’d like to thank him for that, he’s given me some great advice. He’s picked up a club in a similar position many years ago and took them through the leagues and he’s given me good advice from that.
“I’ve taken little bits from the managers I’ve worked in the Welsh Premier League and hopefully, I can bring that into Pontypridd Town.
The Dragons are currently bottom of Division One, having not one a game this calendar year.
Their only point in 2019 has been at home at Cwmamman United, having played a number of home games, after a backlog from the start of the season.
Pontypridd have only been in the Division for a season, but manager Lee Kendall has stressed the importance of putting a structure in place which will shape the club for the future.
“It’s a huge opportunity. People see it, yes we are bottom of the league, it is what it is, we can’t affect the past. From my point of view, it was a huge challenge and a huge opportunity for me to test my myself and my staff to bring this club from the bottom and work its way up and to also build a structure.
“It’s important there’s a structure behind it. Hopefully, us keeping our status in Division One will help us do that. If so, we look ourselves in the mirror and it isn’t enough we’ve got the opportunity to rebuild next year but I think with eleven games to go, we’ve given ourselves an excellent chance and that was the challenge really.”
