Haverfordwest County boss Wayne Jones is eagerly awaiting his side’s return to the Cymru Premier after a four-year absence from the top-flight.
The Bluebirds secured promotion back to Wales’ top echelon after Swansea University – who were top of the Cymru South standings when the season was curtailed because of the coronavirus pandemic – failed to obtain a Tier 1 Licence.Jones, who was in charge when the club last played in the league, will welcome Cefn Druids to the Bridge Meadow next week.
The former Aberystwyth Town manager acknowledges he will need all his experience as a player – he represented the club on the European stage in the 2003-04 season, whilst making nearly 300 appearances in Wales’ top-flight league – to lead his fledgeling squad for the new campaign.
“I see us getting up for each game differently,” said Jones. “We will have to compete without the ball at times, which will be a marker for how we perform at this level.”
Jones has been astute in the transfer market during the close season, with the arrival of several new faces including local teenage defender Alaric Jones, who made his debut as a 16-year-old before leaving for Carmarthen Town 12 months ago.
The Bridge Meadow outfit have also announced the return of talented striker Danny Williams on loan from Cardiff City, as well as securing the services of Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Gajda, who has arrived from Stal Mielec to replace Kelland Absalom.
Corey Shephard and Cameron Keetch have joined from last season’s Cymru South rivals Cambrian and Clydach Vale. Keetch will add quality from dead-ball situations, while Shephard will compete with new signing Kieran Lewis – who has joined from Merthyr Town – for a place in the midfield alongside Kurtis Rees and club captain Ricky Watts, who will be starting his 10th season with his hometown club.
In what has been a surreal pre-season for the Pembrokeshire side, London-based Rob Edwards has been installed as the new chairman.
“Rob has been brilliant” Jones says with a hearty chuckle. “He is generous in his support of me and I hope we can provide a brand of positive football which supporters will hopefully enjoy once Welsh Government restrictions are relaxed.”The board room is not the only place that has seen change – with assistant player-manager Tim Hicks leaving for Swansea University.
Hicks was quickly replaced from within by last season’s first-team coach Mark Murison, who has also been appointed the club’s full-time Head of Coaching.
“Mark has already put his stamp on the new role”, said Jones. “His game analysis is crucial in training alongside his work as the compliance officer to ensure we adhere to the protocols and guidelines.
“With game time limited at present, his input alongside the players’ commitment to their own physical fitness makes my role so much easier.”
Jones has been working on the front line of the NHS during the pandemic, and his evident enthusiasm for the impending return of football is tempered only by his awareness of what is happening in the world.
The Bluebirds get the new season underway at home to Cefn Druids on September 12, before travelling to the capital to take on Cardiff Metropolitan just three days later.
With the situation regarding the return of fans to football stadiums still unclear, Bluebirds supporters are guaranteed to be able to see their team in action against Newtown on Matchday Three, with the game being shown live on S4C’s Sgorio.(Featured Image: Colin Ewart)
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