‘We won’t…’ – Trethomas Bluebirds issues passionate statement to Cymru South title rivals
YSTRAD MYNACH, WALES - 28TH DECEMBER 2024: Trethomas Bluebirds manager Mark Dunford ahead of kick off. Trethomas Bluebirds v Carmarthen Town in the JD Cymru South at the Centre For Sporting Excellence on the 28th December 2024. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
Trethomas Bluebirds manager Mark Dunford has stated his side will not shy away from the fact that they are in the JD Cymru South title race despite being in their debut season in the second division.
The Bluebirds climbed back to the top of the league on Friday night with a hard-fought 2-1 away victory to Newport City. They currently sit on 39 points, two in front of title rivals Llanelli Town with both sides having played 18 league fixtures.
“I’m not going to shy away from it we’re in a title race without a shadow of a doubt,” he admitted.
“A couple of games time we’re in single figures and its the run in really, we’re in a title race.
“We’ve found ourselves there, we’re not going to shy away from it, we’ll work hard and keep doing what we’re doing.
“Like I said in pre-season we’re not here to make up the numbers and we’ll execute what we’re doing to the best of our ability and see where it takes us.
It’s been a successful spell in charge for Dunford who has seen his side collect three trophies during his three year spell at the club, admitting that the JD Cymru South title would be special.
“We’ve won three trophies in three seasons and a promotion on top, who knows it would be an unbelievable achievement,” Dunford added.
“We’re not getting carried away into thinking that is going to happen but what we are in and not shying away from it is a title race.
“We’ve just kept that winning culture, winning habit, winning momentum going over the last three years and we’re in a very very strong league.
“It’s probably the strongest league its been for a long time I’d say the Cymru South and we find ourselves top and that’s credit to everyone at the football club.”
Character key to success for Trethomas Bluebirds
It was a smart summer transfer window from Trethomas Bluebirds, adding experienced talent to an already flourishing squad, with the mix of youth and experience paying off this campaign.
“They’re good characters these boys, we brought experience in and people who have played there (at this level) but as I’ve always said I sign the person as much as I sign the player.
They’re characters and ability to get around people, coach the youngsters and look after people and have really really high standards which brings everybody along to those levels and that’s what we’ve created and credit to them for what they’ve brought.”
Its an exciting time for clubs at this level with the new Cymru Premier format from the FAW furthering clubs ambitions of reaching the top tier, one that’s shared by Trethomas Bluebirds.
The Bluebirds boss added: “I think its a good move from the FAW I really do, I think the restructure of the league is a really positive step for domestic football in Wales.
“It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out, but it definitely gives people a little bit more incentive to try and push towards that and make the Cymru Premier probably a bit more exciting, what it should be because I think it probably is a little bit underwhelming probably is the best way to put it.
“I think that will definitely entice a few clubs, but I think clubs need help, the FAW are helping but they need a lot of help because the financial side of things is a real obstacle for most because of the geography and travel situation that’s the biggest challenge in Wales for domestic football.”
