Liam Partyn Steps Down as joint Reserve Team Manager

The club is disappointed to announce that Liam Partyn has decided to step down as the reserve team joint manager following the completion of the 2021/22 FAW Reserve League North East season. Everyone at the football club has been informed of his decision.

Alongside Phil Bathers, who remains with the club, Liam led the reserves into the inaugural FAW Reserve League North East which was a huge change from what we have been used to in the past. Playing against reserve teams from clubs placed in Tier 3 or above has meant that the standard has improved significantly. Welcoming Cymru Premier teams such as TNS and Connahs Quay Nomads to the Muga has been a challenge but Liam has been part of a management team that has helped our lads relish the opportunity. 16 teams joined the new division but with 4 dropping out throughout the course of the season it got completed with only 12 remaining. The team finished a respectable 9th which included having points deducted due to teams then having already beaten dropping out. In the end, the teams record read P22 W4 D5 L13 finishing with 17pts. Full credit to the part that Liam played in ensuring the lads stuck together and completed the season with heads held high. The teams form towards the backend of the season was very positive!

On his decision, Liam told us that despite it being an enjoyable season overall he has decided to take a step back due to other personal commitments. He also said “There have been challenges along the way but I have to give full credit to the lads who have given the team 100% every week, on the whole, we have seen a massive improvement. We have a good group of lads at the club who have the potential to kick on further. Finally, I would like to thank the club for having me and wish Phil and the lads good luck for next season”

The positive outcome of Liam deciding to step down is that he has agreed to join the Albion committee and will support us on and off the pitch in whatever way I can when he is available to do so! This is great news as Liam is a popular member of the Albion family but with Cefn being a voluntary club we completely respect and support his decision to take a step back.

Cefn Albion chairman Stew Roberts expressed his thanks to Liam by saying “On behalf of everyone at the Club I would like to thank Liam for his commitment to the Reserve Team alongside Phil, sometimes the Reserve League can be testing due to lack of officials meaning games are not so consistent, to keep themselves and the lads motivated throughout the Season as well as supporting the 1st teams efforts means we should tip our hats to all involved. Liam staying on the committee side is a huge positive so huge thanks Liam (and Phil & Players) for all the hard work for the Club.”

Finally, we spoke to Phil Bathers who said “I’d like to thank Liam for his commitment throughout the course of the season and also for the time when he stepped in as reserve keeper when we needed. Great to hear that he remains with the club so good luck on whatever he takes up next”

As mentioned, Phil remains with the club and we have already agreed for two additional people to come into the reserves management team in order to help the team next season. We will announce this in due course.

We would like to publicly thank Liam for all his hard work and commitment since joining Cefn Albion!

#UPTHEALBION
#TOGETHER
#PARTYN