Jazz Richards has expressed his willingness to use his experiences at a higher level to mentor the young players at Haverfordwest County.
The former Swansea City, Fulham and Cardiff City player joined Haverfordwest County in a marquee signing for the Cymru Premier.
The Bluebirds have a number of talented young players at the club, with seven of their starting 11 at Aberystwyth Town on Tuesday night under the age of 23.
Richards feels that his experience at Premier League, Championship and international level can offer guidance to the Bluebirds’ prospects.
“I’ve got a bit of experience and there’s some young lads in the team,” Richards said.
“They’re a humble bunch of lads, there’s already a few things I’ve had to say to a few individuals and they’ve taken it on board so hopefully with Wayne and working with the other staff, I can have a little input into, not so much a coaching role, but a figure if you like and help them through.
“I respect that we’ve got Pembs (Sean Pemberton) as the captain and Scott Tancock there as well, who’s naturally a leader; there’s a few other boys who are natural leaders.
“I’ve always been a natural leader but I find it more so when I’m playing midfield, it’s like I come out of my shell and you see the best Jazz Richards when he’s playing in midfield, so in terms of shouting instructions to the boys, without even knowing, I trained with them a week before, that’s a role I want to take on.
“Not take anything away from the boys that are already there doing it, but the addition can only be a positive.
Haverfordwest County currently sit sixth in the Cymru Premier table with 23 points, as the Bluebirds target a top-six finish at the end of Phase One.
Manager Wayne Jones expressed his delight at Richards’ arrival and feels his experience will be a huge asset.
“It was just something we couldn’t refuse, we knew just how much he could bring to us both on and off the pitch,” he insisted.
“After meeting Jazz for the first time, I knew straight away, I spoke to the chairman and said we have to get him on board. He is a humble guy and he is welcomed by all at the club.
“There’s one thing I’ve made quite public this season, the lack of experience in our squad coming into the Cymru Premier, we recruited late on in the transfer window just to bring added experience, obviously Jazz was available as a free agent and with him bringing all his experience, not just on the playing side but he’s going to be good mentorship towards players, that’s what we discussed prior to him signing.
“He’s going on a journey not so long with his coaching routes, we’ll be more than supportive with that and to have a player of his calibre around us is only going to benefit us.”
(Featured Image: John Smith / FAW)
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