Aberystwyth Town midfielder Kelly Thomas is looking to see her side grow as the Black and Green Army prepare for another season in the Welsh top flight.
Aber achieved a sixth placed finish last season and reached the semi-finals of both cups. Thomas admitted it was certainly an up and down season on the west coast last term.
“It was definitely a season full of highs and lows. In regard to the league, we ended up disappointed because we missed out on top four. But in the second half of the season, we went unbeaten, apart from the games against Pontypridd.
“Also reaching the Welsh Cup semi-final. It was a great time and achievement for the club, but the low of dealing with the loss in that game to Briton Ferry was incredibly tough.
“There was an Adran Trophy semi-final two, and when you reflect on it, two semis and where we finished in the league was certainly acceptable, but it was a rollercoaster.”
Activity at Park Avenue has been quiet so far in terms of transfers, but the big departure has been goalkeeper Elen Valentine heading to St. James’ Park to join Newcastle United.
Valentine was a key player for Aber last season, and while she will be a loss, Thomas and the rest of the squad are rooting for the Wales U19 international to thrive in the north-east.
“It was great to have her on board, especially having her come in as the first ever female scholar with our link with Aberystwyth University. That was really positive and it’s something the club and the university are going to continue to do for us if we have an appropriate candidate.
“Gav has certainly got a hard task on his hands to replace Elen. It was such a great opportunity for her to go and sign a pro contract with Newcastle and it’s not something that she could turn down.
“We were all fully behind her and supportive of her, and Elen knows that. She’s always welcome back in the black and green.”
While the keeper has been the only departure, there have been no arrivals at the club so far.
The difficulty of pulling players out west is plain to see, but at the same time, Thomas stated there are a lot of young prospects coming through.
“It’s not just this summer, it’s always been difficult to bring players through the gate at Aberystwyth, and I think the men have exactly the same problem, just because of where we are.
“Gav has worked so hard and been in contact with so many players, but it’s just hard because of the amount of travelling you have to do. It takes its toll on us too because every away game for us is a trek. If we could pick up the club and move it, then that would be ideal!
“What we’ve missed out on bringing in players, we’ve made up for by keeping so many players. We’ve got a few U19s coming through too who have been involved with the first team in pre-season, and they look like exciting prospects.”
There’s no doubt that having the bulk of last season’s squad still there is a big positive. All the players know their roles, they know what they’re good at, and they know what brings the best out of each other.
That will serve them very well heading into a season that, according to Thomas, could go in any direction.
“It’s going to be a very exciting season. There’s been so much movement this year within and around the league. It’s going to be a tough season to call. It’s going to feel fresh and it’s going to feel new.
“The standard of football being played has come on leaps and bounds. Every single team are doing great things to make sure the girls are prepared as best as they can and play some great football. It’s going to be really interesting to see how it all unfolds this year.”
Aberystwyth kick off their Adran Premier campaign at home to Barry Town United.
Aber finished sixth while Barry finished seventh last season, and the Aber veteran knows how big those three points could be on the opening day.
“With us being at home we will definitely be eyeing up three points. The league is so tight at the minute and so open, and that first game of the season could have a massive impact come the last game of the season.
“It’s important to stay calm and take every game as it comes but we’ll be looking to win that first game of the season at Park Avenue.”
The Seasiders do not want to be involved in another relegation battle this season, but as well as that, Thomas is keen for the club to keep growing and thriving.
“Staying in the Adran Premier is fundamental for us as a club. The funding and everything that comes with it is so important. We need to make sure that we’re doing every single thing that we can to make sure we’re still in the league next season.
“But also, to grow the club and to grow the girls’ centres. We’re now reaching U10s all the way through to U19s and we need to make sure we continue to build and develop our own players.”
Off the pitch, it’s been a very exciting time for Aberystwyth’s Lucie Gwilt, who was recently elected onto the FAW Council.
Thomas ended by praising the work Gwilt has done throughout the years and said she will be a brilliant addition to the council and to Welsh football as a whole.
“It’s so good to have someone from Aberystwyth and mid Wales on the council. But to also have another female on there is incredible. The more females and the more diverse they can make the council the better.
“We need to make sure that there are provisions for everybody all across Wales and that we’re not just focusing on the south or the north. There’s not a great deal of provisions in mid Wales currently. I can’t think of anybody better suited to do that role other than Lucie.
“She’s so passionate and she knows exactly what she’s talking about. She’s got so much experience working in situations like that and she’ll bring so many fresh ideas to the table.”
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