Nodiadau Medi 2001 / September
2002 Notes
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ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 22.09.01 A WARM WELCOME to our neighbours from
Ceredigion. Suffice to say that every visit that Aber make to Richmond Park
gives an edge to the occasion and sets the adrenalin flowing with
anticipation. In
my capacity as Secretary of the Club, I’ve had numerous enquiries regarding
the well-being of our Assistant Manager, Ray Davies. Well, I went to see him
in Singleton Hospital this week as have our Manager and a number of Officials
(including our Chairman and Vice Chairman) on other occasions. Ray, at
present, goes to hospital periodically to undergo chemotherapy and I must say
that this week he was extremely cheerful, after having overcome a further
set-back in his condition. Ray shows considerable qualities of determination
and resolve which augur well and let us hope that when he completes his
course of treatment he will initially be able to attend a match at Richmond
Park, prior to returning to full duties, would be a delight to us all. In
the meantime, Colin Staples is helping out with the first team, together with
Tomi’s current Acting Assistant Manager, Neil O’Brien. Colin has a good
pedigree and it is appropriate to introduce him to you, especially in view of
his current involvement with the newly established Football Academy within
this Club. After being involved with a team in Gowerton in practically every
capacity, i.e. manager, coach, secretary, player, etc., he has been assisting
the FAW with part-time coaching courses since 1986 and is a holder of a UEFA
Class A Coaching Licence. He is currently the Football Development Officer
for the Carmarthenshire County Council funded by the Football Trust and also
manages both our Youth and Reserve teams in tandem, which is the perfect
prescription for the future development of the Club’s players. Colin is Chief
Coach of our Football Academy, involving age groups between 10-18, and he is
pleased that so many youngsters from the outer reaches of this county and
Ceredigion are making enquiries about joining. Of course, Emlyn Schiavone,
Chairman of the Junior Department, is also heavily involved administratively
in this project and we wish every success to both in their endeavours to
enhance the well-being of the Club. Finally,
it was nice to be at Richmond last Saturday for our reserve team fixture
against Garden Village, and to meet two Village players who had played for us
in past years. One was Huw Knight (and the ‘Knighty shuffle’ was very much in
evidence) whilst the other was the evergreen Alan Davies who played for us in
the late 80s and is now actually 51 years of age. The merits of playing at
this level at that age must be a question of debate but I recall the
tremendous influence Alan had on our side in those Welsh League days. No
prisoners were taken when we went to the valleys every other Saturday - Alan
was well able to look after himself! Enjoy today’s |