Goytre United quartet snapped up by former manager at Llanelli Town
PORT TALBOT, WALES - 15 APRIL 2022: Goytre’s Josef Hopkins scores to make it 1-2 during the 2021/2022 JD Cymru South Fixture between Goytre United and Trefelin BGC, Port Talbot, Wales, 26th April 2022. (Pic By John Smith/FAW)
Llanelli Town have continued to make moves in the transfer market by signing a whole four new players including three from Goytre United.
The Reds already secured the additions of James Parry and Adam Robbins who both played under first-team manager Lee John at Glenhafod Park in addition to the signings of Eli Phipps and Sean Pemberton.
A further four faces have now come through the door at Stebonheath Park, all joining from their Cymru South rivals.
Jamie Baker, Joe Hopkins, Sean Cronin, and Scott Coughlan have all made the move West in a squad that will be familiar to one another.
Experienced centre-back Cronin played in the Cymru Premier with Neath and Carmarthen before spells in England with Wealdstone, Grays Athletic, and Hayes & Yeading. He returned to Wales in the summer of 2021 and won both the Manager and Player’s Player of the Year after 33 appearances, scoring four goals.
Forward Hopkins, who captained the club for a majority of the season, was an influential figure up front and got 10 goals in 31 appearances.
Baker was another key member of last season’s squad that finished sixth in the league last year, playing in defence. The 31-year-old made 28 appearances last season and scored two goals.
As well as player additions, former teammate Matthew Rees has also joined the coaching staff, assisting him alongside Dylan Blain.
Goalkeeper Scott Coughlan has also made the move joining from Carmarthen Town after a short spell in the second part of the season.
The 23-year-old played two times for the Old Gold from February onwards and was an unused substitute on three occasions.
He was at Goytre United at the first part of the campaign and was their first-choice goalkeeper, making 21 appearances.
Coughlin returns to the club that he made 12 appearances for in Llanelli Town’s unforgettable stint in the Cymru Premier back in 2019.
As a player, the 39-year-old featured over 200 times for Port Talbot Town after playing for the likes of Millwall, Swansea City, and Crawley Town.
“Matthew is a great addition for the club, he was a brilliant captain and a born leader,” said John. “Myself and Dylan cannot wait to work with him again.”
Goytre United have also lost Callum Bateman who has made the move to Ardal South West outfit Caerau Ely who are managerless.
The 26-year-old got 17 goals in 31 appearances last season for both Goytre United and Llanelli Town.
Whilst there has been no movement in regards to their playing staff, Goytre United have added to their coaching staff with former Briton Ferry Llansawel boss Carl Shaw joining the staff.
Shaw was axed as manager of the Reds in August and was eventually replaced by former Llanelli boss Andy Hill.
Ian Hillier, formerly of Luton Town and Newport County, has also left Briton Ferry to move to Goytre United.
Upon his appointment, Shaw said: “I’m delighted to be back in the Cymru South, I’ve had my break, and I’m refreshed and ready to go.
“I’d like to thank Lyndon and Mark for giving me the opportunity at such a well-established club at our level, and really looking forward to working with Mark, Ryan, Phil, and all the players. Hopefully, we can build on the foundations already here and push to be challenging for the title.”
