Neil Ashton Appointed as Cefn Albion First Team Manager

Cefn Albion Football Club is thrilled to announce the appointment of Neil Ashton as the club's new first-team manager, marking an exciting and pivotal chapter in our history. Neil has committed to an initial two-years, demonstrating his dedication to our club until the summer of 2025.

With a distinguished playing career in both England and Wales, Neil brings a wealth of football experience and a fresh perspective to the team. With a B license in hand, the experienced 38-year-old possesses the perfect qualifications to guide us through the upcoming Ardal Northern East season.

Who is Neil Ashton

Hailing from Liverpool, Neil kick-started his professional football journey at Tranmere Rovers before leaving an indelible mark at various clubs, including Shrewsbury Town, Chester City, Barrow, Southport, and Wrexham, where he triumphantly secured the FA Trophy during the 2012/13 season. In the latter stages of his playing career, Neil made a big impact in Welsh top-flight football, exhibiting exceptional leadership qualities while representing Cefn Druids and Llandudno. Most Notably, he captained Druids, guiding the club to unprecedented milestones, including a memorable journey to the Europa League Qualifying game. Motivated by his desire to venture into coaching, Neil made the strategic decision to conclude his playing career after a final full season with Llandudno. He dedicated himself to acquiring the necessary coaching qualifications, culminating in his breakthrough as the new manager of his former club, Cefn Druids, on April 27, 2022.

In his debut season as a manager, Neil showcased admirable leadership by steering Druids to an impressive 7th-place finish in the highly competitive JD Cymru North Division (Tier 2). Despite overcoming the perceived difficulties encountered at the Rock and dealing with the challenge of a transfer embargo, which severely limited the club's ability to recruit new talent, Neil's resourcefulness and commitment right to the very end of the season ensured a respectable outcome at the Rock on the field. Following the season's conclusion, Neil, along with several members of the playing staff, concluded their tenure with Druids, thereby ending their association with the club.

Given Neil's availability and a change in work circumstances impacting Ian Andrews' and Richard Cooke-Williams’ availability, Cefn Albion promptly recognised the opportunity to approach Neil as our potential new manager. The ensuing discussions were marked by positivity and progress, creating an ideal platform for both sides to articulate their visions clearly. It quickly became evident that Neil and Cefn Albion were a good match, leading to a decision made with unwavering certainty.

Ashton on Joining the Albion

We are delighted that Neil has chosen to embark on this exciting journey with us. In response to his appointment, Neil commented, “I am really excited to have been offered the opportunity to join Cefn Albion Football Club. Following my conversation with the chairman and learning about his ambitious vision for the club, taking on this role was an easy decision for me. I’m looking forward to meeting what is already a strong group of players and a dedicated set of volunteers, as we embark on an exciting journey together.” Ashy, in acknowledging the achievements of Cefn Albion since its inception and its steady rise through the football pyramid, further emphasised, “As founder members of the Tier 3 Ardal Northern league, we have come close to promotion on two occasions. Our shared objective is to capitalise on the progress we have made over the past two seasons and make it third time lucky by securing promotion this time around. It remains crucial that we push ourselves to new heights and strive for even greater accomplishments.”

The thoughts of the Albion Chairman Stewart Roberts

Stewart Roberts, the Chair of Cefn Albion, expressed his utmost satisfaction with the appointment of Neil Ashton, emphasising that his extensive experience and passion perfectly aligns with the football club's plans and ambitions. Roberts stated, "I am delighted to announce Neil Ashton's agreement to join Cefn Albion for the next two years. The addition of such a distinguished figure, boasting an impressive footballing pedigree, will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the achievement of our strategic goals, encompassing both on-field and off-field endeavours. Upon learning of Neil Ashton's departure from Cefn Druids, we promptly took decisive action to secure his services. From our conversations, it's very clear that Neil is committed to assisting the club with its continued progress and recognising the exceptional support that awaits him at Cefn Albion, Neil was swiftly brought into our fold."

Furthermore, Roberts expressed the club's delight in retaining Ian Andrews, acknowledging his exceptional contributions as both assistant and manager over the past seasons. Roberts underscored the significance of Andrews' dedication to the club and the players, emphasising its criticality under the new managerial regime.

"I eagerly anticipate witnessing the combined efforts of Neil Ashton and Ian Andrews, hopefully together, they propel our current squad to even greater heights. Additionally, we already have a strong squad of local players but I am intrigued to observe the enhancements they will introduce to the team during the summer."

 Despite the departure of Richard Cooke Williams, who is unable to commit due to work-related obligations. Roberts expressed gratitude towards both Cookie and Andrews for their unwavering commitment, during the latest season which saw the Albion narrowly miss out on promotion to the Cymru North. Roberts expressed hope that Cookie will be able to return in the future while emphasising that the focus is now fully directed towards the preparations for the forthcoming season.

Ian Andrews transitioning back to Assistant Manager

With Neil Ashton's appointment, Ian Andrews will transition back into the assistant manager role, aligning much better with his updated work commitments, something that almost forced him away from football altogether. Ian fully supports this decision and is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to work alongside Neil and any future additions poised to join Cefn Albion Football Club in the near future. The pair have already met and are preparing for the upcoming season. 

After the play-off final, Ian initially had uncertainties about his future at the club. However, he told us that "witnessing the players' exceptional response and performance during the playoff match filled him with immense pride". Ian said that "the spirit of Cefn Albion that day, reigniting my belief in our collective potential and fueled my determination to try and achieve long-awaited promotion alongside Ashton in the upcoming season".

Currently, Ian plans to take a short break before immersing himself once again in meticulous preparations for the forthcoming season. He is excited to collaborate with the new management team and contribute to the club's success and growth. We are thrilled to have him back on board!

Paul Conlan will remain as first team physio

In addition to the appointment of Neil Ashton as the new first-team manager and the transition of Ian Andrews into the assistant manager role, we are delighted to announce that Paul Conlan will continue his pivotal role as the physio for Cefn Albion Football Club. In a role that often goes unnoticed, Paul's dedication in providing essential medical support to the players has been invaluable to the club over the years!

Neil's appointment as the new first-team manager comes at an exciting time as preparations for the upcoming season are already well underway at the football club. The club recognises the importance of meticulous planning and early groundwork to ensure a successful and competitive campaign. Neil has already met with key stakeholders and all parties are excited about this appointment.

Welcome to Cefn Albion Football Club Neil! We're thrilled to have you join us, and we promise to make your time in Cefn Mawr much more pleasant this time around. Say goodbye to those goalkeeping nightmares because we're putting you in the dugout where you can showcase your talents as the manager.

Please keep an eye on our media streams for more exciting news on potential new arrivals.

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