Penybont manager Rhys Griffiths: “Success would be staying up, but we can also have aspirations beyond that”

Recognised as one of Welsh football’s all-time greats, Rhys Griffiths will manage in the Cymru Premier for the first time this weekend when Penybont host Barry Town United.

Griffiths’ side swept all before them in the Welsh Football League Division One last season, going unbeaten for the entire season and finishing 20 points clear at the top.

The 39-year-old, who netted 180 times in 181 appearances for a Llanelli side who won the then-Welsh Premier League in 2007/08, will be looking to make his name as a manager with an exciting Penybont side.

While he recognises that “success would be staying up”, he also says that the club “can have aspirations beyond that”.

Asked if he plans to stick to the formula with helped achieve promotion, he said: “We’ve worked extremely hard to create a style of play that helps us dictate the control of games.

“It’ll be more difficult to control games in the same way but we’ll certainly be trying to.

“Good football doesn’t go unnoticed and I’m proud of some of our passing and possession play.”

Griffiths is prepared to stick to his guns and do what he knows best, rather than using other recently-promoted clubs as a framework.

“I don’t know an awful lot about the inner workings of the successful Barry and Cardiff Met clubs. The same can be said of Llanelli who were unfortunately relegated.

“What I will say is that I am confident that my approach is a good one, one based on a lot of thought and hard work. With the help of Martyn Giles and now Owain Warlow, I’ll stick with what I do.”

The KYMCO Stadium outfit have been busy in the transfer market, signing players who “each bring different qualities”, as Griffiths highlights what he looks for first when deciding on potential incomings.

“The main thing is the type of person.

“Hungry, determined people who I believe I can build a strong relationship with, that I can trust. When I do my homework on a player who they are as a person is top man of the list.”

The former Newport County and Plymouth Argyle striker sees similarities between his current squad and the Haverfordwest one he was involved in during the early 2000s.

“We had some experience, as we do at Penybont, but we were mostly young players trying to prove ourselves.

Nobody gave us much of a chance of having a good season. We finished 3rd, and into Europe the club went.

Of course, those young players were the likes of Lee Kendall (arguably the best GK the top flight has seen), Adrian Harris (Impossible to get the better of on his day), and myself… I want my young players to show that they are the new batch ready for years of success.”

The Bont have pitted themselves against a couple of reputable sides in pre-season, and Griffiths is pleased with how his side have come through the challenges.

“On the whole pre season has been very good.

“We’ve had tests, particularly against Merthyr and Cardiff under-23s, and have learned plenty about ourselves.

“It’s not always about passing tests, but sometimes equally as important to understand why you failed at a certain aspect.

“I don’t think pre season could have gone much better really, barring one or two injury issues, but now it’s time for the acid test.”

Penybont’s opponents on Friday evening have seen a remarkable rise since their promotion from the Welsh League three seasons ago, something which Griffiths would love to replicate.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for what they’ve achieved at Barry. It’s hugely impressive. Obviously I’d like to achieve the successes that they have, staying up first and foremost, but also Europe would be special.

“However, our clubs are very different. They’ve returned from the doldrums and deserve great credit, but we’re only six years old as a club. We’re trying to grow a fan base and make a history.

“We’re the first virgin Cymru Premier club for quite a whIle, which brings unique challenges that Barry didn’t have to face. Ours is a different challenge.”

The closest challengers to Penybont last season were Cambrian and Clydach Vale, whose exploits in the Nathaniel MG Cup earned them widespread acclaim.

While Griffiths admits that a Cup run would be good, he makes clear where his main priorities lie.

“Last year we were fully focused on the title and promotion. This year it’s all about having as good a league campaign as possible. The cup is great and we’d like to do well, but not at the sacrifice of the league.”

The ex-Port Talbot and Aberystwyth Town forward, who represented Wales six times at semi-professional level, is clear when outlining what a successful season would look like.

“Success would be staying up, but we can also have aspirations beyond that.

“My target is to be competitive in every game. When we get it right we’re a very good team and a threat to anyone at this level.

“I believe in myself, my staff and my players 100%.”

(Featured image: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD)