Trefelin part company with promotion-winning manager after five years
Trefelin manager Richard Ryan during the warm up. Barry Town United v Trefelin BGC in the Nathaniel MG Cup at Jenner Park on the 21st September 2021. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Trefelin BGC have parted company with their first-team manager Richie Ryan.
The Port Talbot-based club decided yesterday to bring to an end a near five-year reign that yielded the club’s most successful period.
The news comes days after Trefelin secured their place in the Cymru South for another year following an 11th-placed finish in their first season in the second tier.
Terefelin have already begun their search for a new manager and join league winners Llantwit Major in the search for a new boss.
“Richie has overseen the first team through a period of huge growth and success, nights like our Welsh League Cup win don’t come along often,” said their chairman Steve Green.
“We will always be grateful to Richie for his role in that win and everything he has done for the club, and wish him all the best for the future. As a club we will continue to move forward and the search for a new manager will begin immediately.“
In response to his departure, Ryan said: “Thanks for the memories Trefelin. A title, 2 promotions, cup win, brought some of the best players in the Welsh league to the club, and played some outstanding football.“
After being appointed for his first management job in 2017, he guided them to a third-place finish in Division Three, narrowly missing out on promotion, and won the League Cup against Welsh League champions Llanelli Town in 2018.
The following year they finished second behind Penydarren and lost in the semi-final of the League Cup to eventual winners Penydarren BGC.
In his third season in charge, he led the club to a first-placed finish with 17 wins and three draws, before the 2019/20 season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Trefelin were crowned champions and were promoted alongside Risca United and town rivals Port Talbot.
They finished 11th, winning nine matches, drawing ten, and losing 11, staying up on the final day of the season.
