Aberystwyth Town assistant manager, Bryn McGilligan-Oliver, looks ahead to the club’s second season in the Welsh Premier League, which starts on September 13th.
Aberystwyth Town head into their second season in the Welsh Premier League with renewed optimism. Following a difficult season last time around, where the side had just two weeks to prepare for the leap up in class, the largely inexperienced side were on the end of a number of shattering defeats.
The season ended on a positive note with the club picking up some richly deserved silverware. New faces join a squad that is already packed with talent and spirit. Captain Ffiona Evans returns again alongside vice-captain Stephanie Land. Despite being young, they both have amassed invaluable experience in Black and Green which in turn is beneficial to their teammates. Right now, I couldn’t wish for a better set up to be honest.
They proved they wanted to be in this league from their performances every week and after Christmas last season, we looked a new side completely. We had a few ins and outs that balanced us quite well, so it took time but they started to gel really well. The spirit in camp is something that really makes me proud to be involved with this squad and club. We won the CWFA [Central Wales] Cup and had to beat strong teams along the way, and they deserved that. 
But there was no time for the club to rest on their laurels as preparation for this years assault on the Welsh Premier League began immediately following the final whistle. This season sees three teams relegated from the division and it’s crucial that the Black and Greens don’t find themselves in that band.
Us as staff didn’t really get much of a break after we won the CWFA Cup at the end of May. Prep was being made throughout June/July and we started training at the end of July. We brought in the new players straight away and they seem to have clicked with the current players which helped us massively going into the friendlies
As many as 12 new faces join the squad, amongst them are Lowri Walker from Aston Villa, Melanie Pons who joins after moving from France, Amy Hill, a winger from Llanidloes who has just been selected for Wales U-17s. Katie Christopher and Rhiannon Towns, a young goalkeeper and full back respectively from Llandrindod Wells (both recent inclusion in the Central Wales U-17 set up), Lowri Morgan from Penrhyncoch and Josie Pugh a tall strong centre half from Llanidloes amongst others. The successful and extensive recruitment drive has seen Town increase their squad size to 26 ahead of Sunday’s opener.
This summer also saw a huge rise in the popularity of the women’s game both here in Wales and around the UK mainly in thanks to the success of ‘The Lionesses’ in the World Cup. With this in mind, the onus is on the Welsh League to build and continue the momentum generated with interest at an all time high.
I believe every home nation now has to push this as a legacy for Women’s and Girls’ football, and get more coverage on games. As you may have seen the FA Women’s Super League gets coverage of at least 2 games a week now on TV, which is great. Attendance for Womens games is at its highest ever. It would be great if we could get that kind of exposure here in Wales. Attendance would grow, more grassroots players would sign up and more girls would be playing football everywhere in Wales.
As for the season ahead, a lot is riding on the upcoming campaign. This year will have an extra competitive element added to the equation, as three teams will drop out of the division for the first time. It’s going to be the most competitive season yet. Newcastle Emlyn, are our local rivals and also rivals for position in the league alongside newly promoted Cyncoed. Rhyl & Prestatyn and Llandudno are all going to be battling around our area of the league I believe, so it will be an interesting one. Cardiff Met are always a very strong side and most seasons compete in the Champions League. But they just tipped Swansea City to the league title last season on goal difference.
Swansea were definitely the best side we played against, some of their football is phenomenal. So I would have to say Swansea City are my favourites to win it this season. Dreams of league championships and Champions League football may be beyond the realms of possibility for this year but this doesn’t stop the camp being quietly optimistic ahead of the season. Our main goal is to finish above that bottom three. I really believe we can do that, so if we finish above that bottom section and stay in the league, it will be successful.
Source / Photos – atfc.org.uk
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