Briton Ferry Llansawel and manager Carl Shaw part company
Cambrian & Clydach Vale v Briton Ferry Llansawel at the M&P 3G on the 10th August 2021. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Briton Ferry Llansawel have relieved Carl Shaw from his duties as first-team manager of the Old Road club.
The 46-year-old’s ten-year association with the club has been brought to an end following their start to the Cymru South season.
Ferry were eliminated in the first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup by Pontypridd Town and suffered a 4-3 defeat to Ammanford, despite leading 3-1.
They did beat defending champions Swansea University on the opening day and crushed local rivals Port Talbot Town at the end of July.
But the last game that Shaw took charge of was the 3-0 defeat to Cambrian & Clydach Vale on Tuesday evening.
Sharing the news to his Twitter account, Shaw said: “I am gutted, shocked, and disappointed to get the telephone call to say I have been sacked after just four games of the season by Briton Ferry Llansawel tonight.
“I just want to say a big thank you to every player, supporter, and backroom staff member over the last ten years who helped me get from the bottom of Division Three to finish third in the Cymru South, the highest finish for the club.
“I suppose I can now call myself a proper football manager, now I have been sacked.
“Time to reassess, reflect and get myself ready to go again.”
The news was later confirmed by the club: “It is with regret, that Briton Ferry Llansawel Football Club announces that Carl Shaw has left his position as First Team Manager with immediate effect.
“This has been an extremely difficult decision, and not one that the board have taken lightly, not least because of the personal relationship Carl held with our board and everyone at the Old Road.
“There can never be a good time to part ways with a club legend such as Carl, but after lengthy deliberation and consideration, it has been decided a change is necessary.
“We won’t shy away from the fact that Carl has been an integral part of our club’s history and we will remain forever in his debt.
“It’s not fitting to simply say ‘thank you to Carl for all the work he has done over the past 10 years but important to note, that we acknowledge his extraordinary service to our club with gratitude and total admiration.
“The significance of Carl’s contribution to the development of our club will never be underestimated, we will always have the utmost respect for him – Carl is a man of great integrity and has been committed to our club like no other.
“His dedication to the Club and to his work has been absolute, and the contribution he made to the most successful period in Briton Ferry Llansawel’s brief history is substantial.
“Carl is and will remain a very popular, respected figure at Briton Ferry Llansawel AFC and will always be welcomed back to the Old Road both professionally and as a friend of the Club.”
No interim replacement has been announced by the club, with their next scheduled match is at home to early pace setters Goytre United.
