Pontypridd United appoint ex-Cardiff City coach as manager

Pontypridd United have announced that former Cardiff City coach Andy Whittington will be returning to the club as first-team manager.

It was announced at the end of October that Gavin Allen would be standing down from his post. He cited a change in work commitments as the reason for his departure and manages the Dragons for the final time on Saturday against Carmarthen Town.

The 45-year-old had worked as a first-team coach under Andrew Stokes, Lee Kendall, and later Gavin Allen.

New Pontypridd manager’s first words

Speaking to the club’s social media feeds, he said: “I’m delighted to be back at Pontypridd United and working again with a talented group of players and manage in a competitive JD Cymru South.

“My aspirations and the club’s to become a successful and sustainable Cymru Premier side in the near future,  made this opportunity the right fit for me to return to domestic football and be part of this exciting future.”

Whittington will be assisted by Lawrence Badman who was previously the manager of Taffs Well. Badman also had a caretaker spell in charge of Cambrian United and was appointed as technical coach at Barry Town. 

Pontypridd’s new manager worked at Cardiff City for almost eight years in their academy. He went from being the Head of Sports Science in their academy to later being an Elite Performance/PDP coach. 

He has also worked as a Coach Educator for the Football Association of Wales and has a football-related role with the University of South Wales. Whittington oversees the USW’s first team in the BUCS system. 

Whittington’s first game in charge of Pontypridd will come on Saturday, November 23 when they travel to Windmill Lane to face Llantwit Major in the Cymru South. He inherits a side that are currently three points off league leaders Trethomas Bluebirds. 

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell/FAW)