Newly-appointed Phil Hudson raring to get going with Ruthin Town
He began his reign by watching his team from a stream, but Phil Hudson can’t wait to get going at Ruthin Town…
For the first match of his reign, Hudson was forced to watch his team play Rhyl in a behind-closed-doors friendly as a result of a four-week in lockdown in England, where he resides.
But after making the move from Brymbo, Phil Hudson and Tommy Holmes can finally prepare for a competitive fixture.
They travel to Y Morfa Stadium to face Conwy Borough in the first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup.
“You cant beat competitive football and I’m over the moon it’s finally here,” said Hudson.
“We have played some friendly games but it’s not the same and Saturday cant come quick enough.”
Opponents Conwy Borough are also going into this match with a new management team. Matthew Jones, who was relieved of his duties at Llandudno, will be in the home dugout today.
However it has been brought to the attention of the Ruthin boss that the Tangerines have been somewhat of a bogey team for Ruthin.
“There aren’t any bad sides in the Cymru North, so whoever we drew was going to be a test.
“Conwy are a good established side at this level and I’m hearing from a few people that they are Ruthin’s bogey side, that’s something I’ll be trying to put a stop to at the first time of asking.”
Preparations however have been disrupted with a number of players isolating as a result of COVID-19 protocols.
Add to that a couple of niggling injuries, the Ruthin boss is still happy with the squad he’ll be able to select today.
“It’s not ideal as we have a few absentees due to isolation and injury but we have a healthy squad so we will still get a good side out on the day.”
This is the highest level that Hudson and Holmes will have managed at following their move from the third tier.
The move came about after they were interviewed by the committee and then took a moment of consideration on whether to test themselves at a higher level.
Hudson revealed: “After a chat with the Chairman and an interview with the main committee we were offered the role and after a day thinking things over we decided to test ourselves at Tier Two and continue our journey up the leagues.”
A change to the Cymru North format has been announced as a result of a delayed start to the season.
The usual 30-game season of playing home and away against the 15 other teams in the division has been changed.
Teams instead will be drawn at random to host one more home game than their opponents in a 15-game season.
“It has its pros and cons really, you can shock a few sides as it’s going to be one off game and no return fixture, its important to pick early points up also in this format. It’ll be Interesting to see how the fixtures come out and who we have as our home fixtures.”
“It’s about winning as many as you can and getting a good league finish and that is still going to be the case. We have an aim ourselves and that would of been the same if it was a 30 game season.”
Hudson is looking forward to an open league and excited how it plans out.
“Yes I think you will see an open league and bot someone running away with it, the fixtures are going to be like cup finals as the points mean so much more in this format especially early on.”
