Lee Kendall says his choice to go into management with Pontypridd Town has paid off after guiding them to safety.
The former Welsh Premier League goalkeeper took charge of his first role in management in January after taking over from Gavin Beddard.
Pontypridd were bottom of Division One but have since tasted defeat just twice under Kendall, scoring in each game they’ve played under the former Rhyl shotstopper.
They will now look forward to life in the first ever FAW Championship South, should the Dragons pass their Tier Two Licence application.
Kendall said: “I took a chance and they took a chance, we both did It’s paid off.
“I took a chance. I’ve given up European football with Barry, Gav’s been tremendously supportive. The summer is coming, non league football is non league football. People pose questions to you, would you fancy this, would you fancy that, I’m sure the calls I’ve had already, I might get a couple more.
“Hopefully in the summer I can sit down with Phil and see what his plans are for next season. It’s been a busy year for me with my job and here and I’ll be glad to put our feet up in the summer and have some reflection on it.”
The club have had three managers this season with Damien Broad, a long-serving manager with the Dragons, stepping down. They appointed Gavin Beddard briefly but Kendall’s coaching experience helped guide Pontypridd to survival.
With a number of players representing Pontypridd this season, the core has remained in talisman midfielder Aiden Lewis, prolific goalscorer Luke Gullick and captain Scott Hillman.
Asked what survival means to the club, Kendall replied: “It’s huge. I’ve spoken about it with my coaching staff in the dressing room and with the players.
“We came in and we were rock bottom and I mean that. We’ve turned it round.
“Our style of play has potentially not been what we’ve wanted, we’ve flexed and adapted we’ve got the players in our team that can play all sorts of football.
“We’ve got players who can play dominating football and also sit off. There’s not a game gone by this season that we’ve not scored a goal. For us it’s huge for the club. The club invested in me when I come in.
“To a man and to a staff member, committee and chairman they’ve been fantastic since we’ve come in.”
Pontypridd’s survival was confirmed when they came back from behind to secure victory over Undy Athletic.
Alex Jarman dealt the Dragons an early blow but a well-hit free-kick from Lee Baldock and a goal from the consistent Luke Gullick meant Ponty did their part.
Relegation rivals Goytre despite going ahead lost to Cwmamman United, whilst Taffs Well could only draw at Ammanford.
The Pontypridd coaching staff did pay attention to the action which was unfolding elsewhere.
“Before the game we know we’d give ourselves a fighting chance against Goytre the following week. They had a tough game at Cwmamman. It wasn’t until the last 15 minutes until someone gave us a mention that it was 4-2 (Cwmamman vs Goytre) and we thought to keep it tight at the back.
I felt we were the most dominant team. We knew what they were about. They’ve got some great flexibility with the players
“Luke popped up again, he never stops scoring. He’s been paramount to what we’ve done.”
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