The disappointment of the last season was motivator says Ryan

Trefelin boss Richie Ryan says last years disappointment provided the club with motivation to achieve promotion this season.

Ryan’s side narrowly missed out on promotion after missing out on goal difference to Bridgend Street.

But in just his second season in charge, the former Welsh League forward has guided the club to promotion at the second attempt.

A proud Ryan said: “Last year hurt, we missed out on goal difference, the Cup final win smoothed over the cracks so it didn’t hurt as much. 

“We wanted to put it right, we brought in a few new faces but we kept the core. 

“Whatever your motivation, as long as you’ve got it, that’s the main thing. Last year it did hurt. I couldn’t sugar coat it, we wanted to be right.

“This Division is tough. It’s a great place to start your management career, I’ve learnt so much about the league and its players. In Division Two, we can really make a big statement for the club.”

Ryan’s reply to the club on the feeling of achieving promotion and how it compares to being a manager was “It’s fantastic. The boys since I walked through the door two years ago have been absolutely fantastic. 

“As a manager, it’s much better. You’re responsible for that group of players. As a player, all I had to was score goals. 

“I’m responsible for everything, you feel everything they feel. When you do well and win, you feel that sense of pride.”

It’s the first time that Trefelin will compete at that level, having been in the South Wales Amateur League since 1999. It wasn’t until 2016 that the club achieved Welsh League status.

Having won the League Cup for the first time in their history last season, the club have continued to grow.

More plans are in place for the club to expand even more following the FAW’s restructuring of the Welsh pyramid system.

They’ve also been able to sign former Swansea City forward Lee Trundle, who had already been playing for their Veterans side.

Despite being the new boys in the Division next year, Richie Ryan is eager for a second consecutive promotion, which would see them compete in the FAW Championship.

“We go into Division Two now, we’re not going there to make up the numbers, we’re not going there to consolidate, we want to go straight through Division Two also. These boys are more than capable of anything.

“There’s some unbelievable stuff going off the pitch. There’s a new stand going in now, the work starting next week. We’ve got an application for floodlights. 

“The crowd here today, there’s 200-300 people here. Everyone wants us to do well. We’re part of a community and hopefully, we can kick on and do the same next year.”

Despite playing a full-strength team, seven days before their League Cup final, Ynysygerwn were blown away by Trefelin. 

The scoreline indicated the attacking threat the Port Talbot had, scoring an impressive 97 goals this season, the most in the division.

Ryan commented: “They’re a very difficult team to play against whatever kind of team they have out. When they scored their goal it really meant something to them. 

“They came down here to spoil the party and I didn’t want any favours. I wanted us to do it convincingly and I think the scoreline suggests we did that.”

He also put praise onto Penrhiwceiber Rangers who will face a further year in Division Three after missing out on promotion to Penydarren BGC and Trefelin. 

“Spare a thought for Penrhiwceiber. There have been three outstanding teams this year. Unfortunately, only two teams go up. We felt it last year, I think Penrhiwceiber will feel it this year.”