Ardal South East: Goytre appoint former Cwmbran Town manager as new boss
Dale Clark is best in football management. (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)
Ardal South East side Goytre have appointed former Cwmbran Town manager Dale Clark as their new first-team manager.
Clark returns to football after a short break away from the game and takes charge of a Goytre side sitting sixth in the Ardal South East.
His appointment comes after Eston Chiverton’s final game in charge ended in disappointment, with Goytre knocked out of the Welsh Cup following a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Cymru South side Afan Lido.
Clark will now be tasked with pushing Goytre up the Ardal South East table, with the club currently five points off the leading sides and having games in hand on both Chepstow Town and Abergavenny Town.
Clark returns to Ardal South East club he previously played for
The appointment marks a return to familiar surroundings for Clark, who previously played for Goytre in 2010.
He said he was delighted to be back involved in football and excited by the opportunity to take charge of a club he already knows well.
Speaking to Focus On: Ardal South East, Clark said: “Great to be back involved with football after a short break away to recharge the batteries and spend some quality time with the family.
“I can’t wait to get started with Goytre, a club I played for back in 2010, to now be the manager of this great club excites me, and I’m really looking forward to working with the players and bringing the success they deserve!
“We know it won’t be easy with so many good sides and local derbies to look forward to, but I know with the quality, hard work and togetherness within this squad we can achieve our aim!”
The new Goytre boss will also be reunited with three players he previously worked with at Cwmbran Town, with Jack Pewtner, Sam Davies and Tom Rutherford all making the move to Plough Road this summer.
The trio will now have the opportunity to work under their former manager again as Goytre look to push towards the top of the Ardal South East.
Goytre’s strong league position gives Clark a platform
Goytre head into the next stage of the season in sixth place in the Ardal South East.
They have picked up a draw against Blaenavon Blues, while victories over Lliswerry and Brecon Corries have helped keep them within touching distance of the promotion picture.
They are currently five points off both the top and second-place positions, although their games in hand could prove significant.
Goytre have played two fewer matches than Chepstow Town and one fewer than Abergavenny Town, leaving Clark with an opportunity to make an immediate impact on a side that remains firmly in the mix.
What Goytre said about Dale Clark
Announcing Clark’s arrival, Goytre highlighted his experience, leadership and ambition.
A club statement read: “We are delighted to announce Dale Clark as our new First Team Manager.
“Dale joins the club with a wealth of experience, passion, leadership and ambition, and we’re excited to have him leading the team.
“We look forward to the journey ahead together.”
Clark’s first task will be to lift the squad following the Welsh Cup disappointment before turning their attention back to their league campaign.
Clark’s impressive spell at Cwmbran Town
Clark arrives at Goytre after a highly successful spell with Cwmbran Town.
During the 2024/25 campaign, he guided Cwmbran to promotion back to the third tier of Welsh football after an unbeaten season in the Gwent Premier.
Town then came close to securing back-to-back promotions, only missing out after defeat in the Ardal Southern play-off last season.
Clark’s record during his time at Cwmbran was particularly impressive.
Across two consecutive league campaigns, Cwmbran remained unbeaten at home, while his overall record in 60 league matches stood at 48 wins, eight draws and just four defeats.
That spell established Clark as one of the more successful recent managers in the local Welsh football scene.
Why did Dale Clark leave Cwmbran Town?
Clark’s departure from Cwmbran Town was confirmed following their defeat to Pontardawe Town on Friday, May 29.
At the time, Clark said he would be stepping away from football for the time being because of increased work commitments.
His break from management has now proved to be a short one, with the opportunity at Goytre bringing him back into the dugout.
The move also gives Clark the chance to work with a side competing at the same level where he enjoyed significant success with Cwmbran.
Cwmbran already on second manager since Clark’s exit
Cwmbran’s fortunes have changed considerably since Clark’s departure.
The club parted company with his successor Brandon Simpson after just 93 days, with Cwmbran legend Sean Wharton subsequently taking charge.
The Crows are currently bottom of the Ardal South East and have lost all five of their league matches.
They were also knocked out of the Welsh Cup by fourth-tier Llangennech, suffering a 1-0 defeat on Saturday.
For Clark, meanwhile, the focus will now be entirely on Goytre and their hopes of challenging near the top end of the Ardal South East.
When is Dale Clark’s first Goytre game?
Clark’s first game in charge will come on September 25 when Goytre welcome Undy to Plough Road.
It will provide the new manager with his first opportunity to work with his squad in a competitive match and begin what he hopes will be another successful chapter in his managerial career.
With Goytre having games in hand over teams above them, Clark will know there is plenty still to play for.
And after guiding Cwmbran to promotion and coming so close to another, the new Goytre boss will be hoping to produce another promotion challenge at a club he already has a connection with.
