Aberystwyth captain Kelly Thomas is full of optimism ahead of the new Adran Premier season, as Aberystwyth attempt to replicate their remarkable fourth placed finish last season.
In their first season under Gavin Allen the club finished in the Championship Group along with Swansea City, Cardiff Met and Cardiff City.
While the group were apprehensive about Gavin’s targets before the season, they quickly realised that his targets were well and truly possible to reach.
‘When Gav came in at the start of last season and said, we want to put ourselves in the top half of the table, it’s no secret that we were well off it the season before and lots of seasons before’
‘So, we were nodding, Yes Gav, but in our heads, everyone’s thinking, this guy has lost the plot, how many pints has he had?!’
‘I mean he’s proved us all wrong. After that first game of the season against Barry, when we won 3-1, that’s when it clicked with us and as a team we thought, wow we might be able to do something this season!’
While they did finish fourth in the Championship Group, the fact that they played the top three teams on a regular basis is something that will certainly help Aber thrive this season, according to Thomas.
‘We took away so much from the second half of the season. There was respectable score lines and we gave everyone a bit of a run for their money’
‘Every single manager across the season has said to Gav or to us, girls this is the best that we’ve ever seen you and what the hell have they put in the water at Aber?’
Aberystwyth have retained a lot of their players from last season, but one who hasn’t stayed is veteran Caroline Cooper, who has decided to retire. Captain Thomas was keen to highlight what an ambassador she has been to the club.
‘Obviously, we’ve lost young Coops. She said now she’s finally hanging those boots up, but I’m definitely expecting to see on Twitter or on social media that someone has twisted her arm to give it one more season’
‘She’s given so much to the club, she’s a legend of the game and she’s been a real inspiration to a lot of us’
‘I certainly personally have learned loads from her from her experience and knowledge of the game. So shoutout to Coops there because we’re very grateful for everything she has done for us’
While replacing Cooper will certainly be a challenge, Aberystwyth have bought in Wales U19 goalkeeper Elen Valentine, in a move that’s the first of its kind for Aberystwyth.
‘She’s come on board as part of the scholarship programme, the link between Aberystwyth University and the football club. She’s the first ever female scholar, which is fantastic’
‘Big thanks to the club for allowing us to do that, because there certainly was a time where having a female in the mix of this programme wouldn’t have been the case. But the board have supported us fully on it and we really appreciate that’
There is certainly no doubting that the intentions of the club are clear, that they want to push on and compete consistently in the top four.
Add to this the uniqueness and family atmosphere that Aberystwyth has; there’s no doubt players want to play for the club.
‘Aber is a special club; I mean I’m probably biased! But, if you ask anyone, they always say ‘I bleed green’ or ‘Once a Green always a Green’, it’s got a weird way of singing to your heart when you sign for us’
‘We’re so proud to come from Aberystwyth, we always say oh little old Aber doing big things again, Swans couldn’t beat little old Aber, but it’s true!’
This season’s Adran Premier promises to be an unbelievable season, especially coming off the back of an incredibly successful European Championships held in England and Wales on the brink of gaining a playoff place for the World Cup.
Thomas says the structures that have been put in place over the past couple of seasons have set the Adran Premier in a strong position for the season ahead.
‘This is something that has been in the pipeline for a few years now and it doesn’t surprise me that we are where we are with regards to women’s football’
‘What’s been brilliant for me is seeing the number of players coming from our league now into that international setup, which was something that was quite scarce before’
‘Obviously, the restructure of the league and everything that has come with it, people are really looking within the Welsh setup now rather than looking over to the English setup to bring those players in’
‘It’s definitely positive, it’s better than it ever has been. I’m just gutted I was born 20 years too late really!’
Aberystwyth kick off their Adran Premier campaign away to newly promoted Abergavenny Town on Sunday September 4th.
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