Gareth Thomas keen to play the Nomads regularly as he leads Rhyl rebirth
Rhyl 1879 manager Gareth Thomas has insisted there is no pressure on his side as they gear up to face back-to-back Cymru Premier champions Connah’s Quay Nomads in the Welsh Cup.
Thomas became the manager of the club in June 2020, after the new formation of Rhyl 1879.
The boss had previously been managing in tier two in Wales but when the phone call came from Rhyl, it was a challenge he was excited by.
The campaign has not gone to plan as of yet for Thomas, but he feels that losing players to injuries and higher league clubs has played a part.
“To be honest the start hasn’t gone to plan mainly due to injuries which have disrupted the planning that had been put in place over the last 14 months.
“We have lost four or five key players with long-term injuries. That is something I’ve never known in my career with three players sustaining broken bones so we have had no consistency with the starting 11. We also lost a couple of players who committed, then chose clubs higher up the tiers.”
After a phone call with Rhyl 1879, Gareth Thomas made the decision to drop down the leagues to take the job.
He admits the challenge is massive for him and the players but with Rhyl supporters increasing, he knows with their support they can achieve things together.
“The challenge is massive and something we are all aware of on the coaching staff as well as the players.
“The support since we resumed playing competitive games has been superb and is increasing week by week.”
Rhyl 1879 are the only newly formed club in the Welsh Cup and the Rhyl boss praised the club’s committee for their hard work to ensure the town had a team to support.
Gareth Thomas revealed the long-term goal for the football club is to play Connah’s Quay Nomads and other Cymru Premier clubs on a regular basis.
“Representing the club as manager is an honour and for us as a newly formed club to be playing the Welsh champions in the Welsh Cup is testament to the hard-working committee in making sure that there is a club representing Rhyl.
“These are the games that in the long term plans we want to be playing on a weekly basis.”
– Gareth Thomas: Former Conwy boss named the first manager of CPD Rhyl 1879
The Rhyl 1879 admitted that he feels the Welsh Cup has lost some interest following the seeding in the draws.
However, Thomas is excited by the challenge his side face when they travel to Cymru Premier champions Connah’s Quay Nomads.
“Personally I feel the cup has lost some of its interest with the seeding and I know from speaking to many managers of lower league sides still involved in the competition they feel the same.
“That said it’s a massive challenge to play the Welsh champions and we will look forward to the game and the challenge with no pressure on us.”
The fixture will see Thomas face off against Andy Morrison, one of the most successful managers in Welsh domestic football.
Thomas hailed the job that Morrison has done with the Nomads to take them into Europe and Cymru Premier glory.
“What a job he has done there. Two league wins and changing the dynamics of the league breaking the monopoly previously with The New Saints winning trophy after trophy.
“He has done a superb job not just in the Welsh Pyramid but also with the performances in Europe the last few years.”
