Keston Davies: From Swansea and injury setbacks to European ecstasy

The New Saints defender Keston Davies’ route to a crucial Europa Conference League tie at the Cardiff City Stadium has not all been plain sailing.

The 24-year-old from Swansea had two spells in his youth days at his hometown club but was released at the end of the 2019 season in a “difficult” time in his career.

Add that to two season-ending injuries since his move to Park Hall and his ill fortune has seen several setbacks.

Now, the defender has finished his road back to a starting berth and will line up in the Saints’ clash with Viktoria Plzen of Czech Republic.

Davies started out at his beloved Swansea City, where, despite a four-year spell at Fulham, he spent a decade at the Liberty Stadium over two spells.

Having the opportunity to represent his hometown club was something that Davies holds in very high regard.

“I loved it at Swansea, being a Swansea boy as well always helps,” he expressed. 

“Being around friends and family and doing something that I love was brilliant. At that moment, you don’t really appreciate it until you step out of that environment, and you realise how good it was.”

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Davies was part of a highly successful youth team at the Liberty with many star talents.

Lining up alongside Tottenham Hotspur and Wales rock Joe Rodon at the back, the side was also a platform for the likes of Manchester United’s Daniel James and Sheffield United’s Oliver McBurnie.

The 24-year-old expressed the enjoyment of representing the club in such a successful time, but the first-team’s form made for limited opportunities.

“That period that we had at Swansea, the club was on a massive high. The first team was doing well in the Premier League and just won the Carling Cup, everything was going well for the youth team as well. 

“I think if you fast-forward two or three years later, we didn’t have that same youth squad altogether, because we were getting older, and players wanted to go out on loan to get first-team football.

“If you had that squad when Swansea were on the decline and went into the Championship, I think that team would have played and there would have been opportunities.”

After loan spells at Yeovil Town and Notts County, it was at the end of the 2019 season that Davies’ time at his beloved Swans came to an end, as he was released by the club.

The defender acknowledged the disappointment of leaving his hometown club but insisted it was time to depart.

“It was difficult. I think as a player, you grasp where you’re at. When you get to a certain age, if you’ve not made the grade, it’s time to move on. 

“It was disappointing that it was my hometown club and I really wanted to play for the first team and maintain that, but I think you have to be realistic. 

“In that youth squad that we had, not every player could have made it. I was disappointed, but I was realistic with where I was at and how I performed. 

“It’s cut-throat and you have to be honest with yourself, dust yourself down, and go again.”

After leaving the Swans, Davies had several clubs interested, including sides in League One and League Two.

But the centre-back, who was eager for regular first-team football, explained that signing for the Cymru Premier champions at the time, The New Saints, was the best move for him.

“I had a few contracts offered to me by League One and League Two clubs, but financially, I had a young daughter at the time, I had to provide for my family as well. 

“I had to be realistic where I could further my career, but at the same time provide for my family. The New Saints seemed like the best fit for me at the time. 

“I just wanted to play football. If I had signed for a League One or League Two club, I probably wouldn’t have played the games that I have now. 

“I’ve loved it, the way the club is run, and the style of play helps me, it’s how I like football to be played so it’s been a great fit.”

Davies’ first full campaign in men’s football came as a baptism of fire, competing in one of the most enthralling Cymru Premier title races in history, with rivals Connah’s Quay Nomads.

But, despite cementing a starting place for the most part of his first year at the club, an incident in the top-of-the-table clash saw him cruelly ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

“In my first season, I played pretty much every game, until we played Connah’s Quay just after the split. 

“I had eight internal stitches and I had torn the bottom of my calf. Kris Owens’ stud went into my leg and ripped a hole and a big gash, so that kept me out for a while.”

Having returned from injury last season, a further injury setback stagnated the progress of the 24-year-old.

“Last season, I came back at the start of the season, we played in the Europa League in the Faroe Islands, and I fractured two bones in my foot, which kept me out until January. 

“The boys had been doing well, so it was a case of waiting for my opportunity to play.”

After leaving Swansea, Davies has been restricted to just 22 Cymru Premier appearances for the Saints due to injuries.

The defender insisted that despite the frustration of his career setbacks, his positive attitude remains firmly intact.

“It’s tough, but it’s part and parcel of football. You never know when you’re going to be injured or know how long you’re going to be out. 

“Inevitably, you’re going to get injured. Nobody can play ten years with no injuries, that’s very rare.

“For me, the boys were playing well so that’s something I had to deal with. It’s just a waiting game, especially as a centre back, because Blaine Hudson and Ryan Astles don’t really have any bad games.”

The New Saints have started this campaign in fine form, backing up a Europa Conference League win over Glentoran with an emphatic 10-1 aggregate victory over FK Kauno Žalgiris.

Davies, now at the peak of his fitness, has returned to the Saints’ starting eleven and expressed his gratitude to new manager Anthony Limbrick for the opportunity.

“The gaffer and I have a good relationship. His style of play is very similar to mine so I know what he wants from me. 

“I’m pleased to be back in, and we’ve been playing well in the last few weeks, so hopefully we can get another good result and go from there.”

The New Saints now face a huge test, the prospect of facing Viktoria Plzen at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Despite their underdog status, Davies insisted that he is relishing the opportunity to show that the Saints can compete.

“That’s one of the biggest reasons why I came to this club, to play in these kinds of games.

“I think it was only two years ago that they were playing Real Madrid in the Champions League group stages so they’re no pushovers. Those are the kind of teams that you want to test yourself against. 

“It’ll be a massive test for us all, but hopefully we can make a good account of ourselves.”

This season will be Anthony Limbrick’s first full season in charge at Park Hall. The Saints narrowly missed out on last year’s trophy to Connah’s Quay Nomads, who made it back-to-back title wins.

Ahead of what is set to be another enthralling title race, Davies insisted that the Saints are heading into the new season full of confidence after their European scalps.

“I think going into the league season, the spirit will be high. We’ll take a lot of confidence from our European campaign. 

“I think Connah’s Quay have done well over the last few seasons. In the first year that they won it, it was a bit up in the air with COVID, but last season, looking at their results, they deserved it.

“But we don’t want to see them lifting the trophy again next year. We’re going to be wanting that title and bring it back to The New Saints.”

(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)