Struggling Cymru South club part company with manager after slow start
CARDIFF, WALES - 16 NOVEMBER 2022: Josh Anderson Manager of Abergavenny Women's FC during the in the Genero Adran Premier fixture between Cardiff City Women FC and Abergavenny Women FC at The Cardiff City Stadium, Barry, Wales. (Pic by Ashley Crowden/FAW)
Abertillery Bluebirds have parted company with first-team manager Ben Murphy and subsequently replaced him.
Josh Anderson has been appointed manager, alongside Lee Thomas. Anderson was in charge of the Women’s teams at Barry Town, and Abergavenny before the latter folded.
Anderson inherits a side currently second from bottom in the Cymru South with just five points this term. The Bluebirds are nine points adrift of safety however they do have a game in hand over Trefelin BGC, as well as two over bottom-placed Abergavenny Town and Llantwit Major who are 14th.
“I’m delighted to come on board at such a great club,” said Anderson.
“The club have great ambitions & I’m excited to be part of it. The boys have been great since coming in and made me feel extremely welcome, I’m looking forward to the first game this weekend against Trefelin.”
The change in management comes on the back of Abertillery’s difficulty in adapting to life in the second tier of Welsh football.
Murphy was the manager that delivered promotion to the Cwm Nant Y Groes club having won the Ardal South East title in dramatic fashion. They beat Treowen Stars 2-1 in their final game of the season to win the title, having bounced back from a play-off defeat to Ynyshir Albions in the 2021/22 campaign.
Seven months on however and Abertillery have picked up just five points from a possible 36, and their only win came against Llantwit, who are in the relegation zone with them. The club are currently on a seven-game winless run in all competitions, and their last taste of victory came in mid-September.
In an emotional parting statement, Murphy said: “Last night I made the decision to step down from my roles at Abertillery Bluebirds.
“The players have been absolutely outstanding in the time I’ve been there and I’d like to thank every one of them for their efforts during that time.
“I’d like to thank the committee and Lee Thomas for giving me the opportunity to join a fantastic club. I’ve learnt so much from Tommo and he’s one of the best people I’ve had the pleasure of being involved with at football. I’m leaving the club with nothing but fond memories!
“One last thank you to the supporters, not many clubs have the support that the Bluebirds do and there has been plenty of games they’ve travelled in big numbers and dragged us over the line. Few weeks off and I’ll see what the future holds.”
