Phil Bathers to head the new reserve management team

Cefn Albion Football Club is delighted to announce that Kevin Edwards and Steve Lloyd Jones will both return to the club with Jamie Foulkes also joining the well-respected C license holder Phil Bathers to form our new reserve management team heading into 2022/23.

Phil who managed the reserve team last year alongside the recently departed Liam Partyn is a shift worker so knew it was important to bring in additional people to help progress our young reserve team. Full credit has to go to Phil who personally held lengthy talks to discuss his plans with Jamie, Kev and Steve to ensure that the appointments are right for the team and the group are all on the same page. We are confident that between the four of them we have a new management team that can help drive the team on and bring more stability to the reserve set-up.

The players will be familiar with all three so the transition will be straightforward, Kev was with us last season but work and family commitments, unfortunately, meant that he couldn’t pledge as much time as he originally wanted. Having spent many years involved at the club before taking a break away from football, Steve Lloyd Jones returns to the fold and is eager to help the team and pass on his experience. Lloydy was part of the first team management that famously won the Welsh Trophy after defeating Pontardawe 4-0 down in Aberystwyth in 2019. He is used to success!

Speaking about the management changes in the reserves set up Phil said “After lengthy talks with Jamie, Kev and Steve I’m delighted to have them on board with me. It’s great to see Kev and Steve back at the club they will be an asset to our young players and I’m also made up that Jamie has agreed to come on board with us. Jamie is looking to go into coaching and working with us as a player-coach will help him along his path”

Phil Bathers has assembled a strong management team heading into 2022/23

We also caught up with Kevin Edwards, Steve Lloyd Jones and Jamie Foulkes about their new roles, here is what they had to say

Kev Ed “Unfortunately, due to family commitments, I was unable to commit last season so It’s great to be back involved with Cefn Albion reserves! After watching some of the games last season I can see the potential in the team, they put in some good performances in what is a very tough division. I’ve had a good conversation with Phil and I can’t wait to get started and work alongside him Steve and Jamie who will also be good additions. There are some exciting young players in the reserve team and it’s our job to improve them and push them into the first team”

Kev Edwards

Lloydy “Well I'm so glad to be saying this. I'm back involved with the club I loved being involved with. Obviously, I’ve had some time out but now I’m so excited to be back involved and hopefully be a part of what I believe will be a massive and progressive season for the Albion.

Steve Lloyd Jones

After watching and also helping out in a few games towards the end of last season I know exactly how tough this reserve division is but I'm looking forward to working alongside Phil, Kev and Jamie to help develop a culture and standard that we can all be proud of. Our main focus will be helping the young lads improve so they are ready to step up when they get their opportunity. Really looking forward to be back involved with the club, hopefully, we can be successful!”

Foulkes “With my commitments towards my son’s Saturday morning football becoming a priority to me I was finding it difficult to devote my time to him with the amount of travelling that is now involved with representing the first team in the Ardal Northern East league. On a number of occasions last season, I was unable to attend his games and watch him develop which was difficult for us both so I have decided to dedicate more time to supporting Freddie next season.

I’ve had a good conversation with Ian regarding my position and it was great that he fully understood everything and fully supported my decision. Although Freddie will be my priority, we have agreed that when I’m available if I can assist the first team. either home or away then ill be ready to step in if needed. After discussing my situation, the club asked if I would be interested in helping the reserves by assisting Phil, Kev and Lloydy and playing in the team.

With far less travelling involved with the reserve league, I feel that it will allow me to support my son whilst still playing and being involved with Cefn Albion so I have accepted the role. Due to their work commitments, if any of the other management is unavailable then I will be in the dugout but when they are there, I will help the team on the field. I have a lot of experience in the local game so regardless of which side of the white line I am I feel that I can help the young team that we have, a few older experienced players will help bring some much-needed balance.

I’m already looking forward to the first training session where I will teach the lads how to score from their own half and I’m really looking forward to the end of the season presentation where I fully expect to win managers player of the season!”

Jamie Foulkes

To confirm the 2022/23 reserve team management teams and roles are:

• Phil Bathers (Reserve Manager)
• Steve Lloyd Jones (Reserve Assistant Manager)
• Kevin Edwards (Reserve Assistant Manager)
• Jamie Foulkes (Player Coach)

With the new management team announced we spoke to CAFC chairman Stewart Roberts and Haydn Evans to get their thoughts

Stewart “It’s great news for the club that Phil Bathers has set up the Reserve Team Management for this season with Kev and Lloydy, both local lads that will give everything for the Club. Also, having Jamie in as player coach will ensure there is a great spirit in the Reserves and they will be pushing lads towards the 1st Team. We wish the management and the players the very best of luck this coming season”

Haydn “The reserves are a very important part of Cefn Albion so it's great news that Phil has put together a strong management team that has lots of experience in the ranks. The new reserve league is highly competitive but I have every confidence that these four can help steer them in the right direction. The more competitive the division then the better for the club as our younger less experienced lads will be more equipped to make the step up when the time is right”.

It goes without saying that we wish Phil, Kev, Steve and Jamie all the very best in their roles at CAFC. The football club will support the team 100% as we move forward together, the important thing is you enjoy it! As we look ahead to the new season a preseason schedule is already in place for both the first team and reserves with most friendlies arranged and training dates scheduled. Off the field, the committee have been working extremely hard in securing new sponsorships and things such as new kits etc. to ensure we are ready for 2022/22. We are looking forward to seeing all the current players and new ones on the 18th June when we return for preseason.

Cefn Albion is proudly sponsored by J Wilson Contractors Ltd

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