Rowlands excited for new Ardal North West challenge

Preparations are cranking up for the beginning of the new Ardal Leagues (Tier 3) which is scheduled to get underway towards the end of January.

Llanuwchllyn from the Ardal North West have been busy on and off the pitch in recent months with plenty of pre-season matches aswell as a brand new pitch with their ground redevelopments taking place.

“It’s been really difficult without competitive football this year so when we finally had the go ahead to play games again we wasted no time in organising a few friendlies! We have played 10 in total and it’s been really good it’s given me plenty of opportunities to see the players play and it’s also helped the new lads settle and get used to how we go about things in Llan!” manager Riki Rowlands told us when we asked about how the squad is shaping up.

He continued “All the games we have played have been very competitive and we have learned a lot about the squad, there are things we can improve on but there have been lots of positives to and I can’t thank the lads enough for their efforts during these difficulties times! We have a good squad this season, the lads have been fantastic from the very first training session back in July I think it was, everyone has given a 100% and we can’t wait to get going again now after Christmas.”

CPD Llanuwchllyn will be joining the newly formed Ardal North West after numerous years playing in the Wrexham Area Divisions. Rowlands explains that he was wary of the new league structure but is now excited for the new challenge ahead.

“At first the thought of the unknown was a bit odd we knew there was going to be changes but know one knew who would play were and what tier they would be in! Once the leagues were announced and the dust settled we started to get really excited with the chance off playing at different grounds and making new friends and starting new rivalries.”

Riki elaborated further “The Wrexham Area has been a great competition over the years and we have had some great memories playing in those Leagues and there are some really good teams to come out of the area so in my opinion us playing in that area all these years can only benefit us going forward.”

“It’s going to be a really tough league once it gets going your obvious contenders for the league have to be Porthmadog and Denbigh, but it’s certainly going to be an exciting league with a few shocks along the way I’m sure!” he said.

The last nine months has seen the pitch taken up and re-laid, new fences and paths put down aswell as dugouts erected which will all be complete by the time the summer arrives for the 2021/22 season. How does Riki feel about these ambitious developments?

“The Clubs committee have had plans in place for a few years now on improving the ground but once the new criteria and league structure was announced those plans became a reality. There has been amazing support from the word go, from donations to people making themselves available to help for hours on end has been overwhelming to be honest.”

He also commented about how they have also been able to attract better players to the club because of their progress off the pitch.

“Since the start of March we have seen a massive difference on and off the field, and these changes and efforts by all has attracted the best players in the local area to the club with again shows how far a small club like Llan have come and we want to maintain the progression over the next few season and look to gain promotion to tier 2!”

Whilst the Club go from strength to strength off the pitch, they have been given a big boost with Sion Tudor re-joining the coaching staff after a spell away from the club. Riki explained that Sion is a big coup for his management team and is delighted that he has decided to return to Llan.

“I’m close mates with Sion and when he first left the club two season ago he remained on hand to help in anyway he could. He was a real help to me once I took over as manager and as soon as he made himself available again there was no doubt in my mind that I had to try and get him back to help me and join the management team.”

“Sion is highly regarded throughout North Wales and is a great addition his knowledge and coaching experience will be a massive help to me, Sion likes to do things right and be honest and he has to trust the players club and committee and he has that in Llan and I have no doubt he will take us to the next level alongside myself! Everyone is thrilled to have him back and we can’t wait to get going!” he concluded.