Steve Blackford has been appointed as the new manager of reigning Costcutter champions Cardigan Town and it is a choice that will be welcomed by many. Writes Andrew Clarke
The Magpies who have been managed very successfully by Seamus Doherty over the past few seasons were starting to panic behind the scenes with only a few weeks to go of the new season amid rumours of an exodus of players.
Midfielder James Evans has been training with Haverfordwest, strikers John Lumb and Liam Doherty may be off to Newcastle Emlyn and Penrhyncoch respectively and playmaker Iestyn Evans is being linked with a move to Goytre.
However the appointment of Blackford could prove to be a masterstroke as he may well influence a change of heart with some of these players and could well attract some new faces to the King George.
Town Vice-Chairman William Bowen said his club were delighted with the appointment and added:”He’s the one person we all wanted to take over as manager and that includes the players, the supporters, the committee and everyone associated with our club.
“Steve commands respect both on and off the field and is the perfect manager to ensure the club remains as successful in the future as it has been over the last few seasons.”
These sentiments were endorsed by former manager Seamus Doherty who added:” ‘Blackie’ has been a top player for many years and he was an outstanding captain for me at Cardigan and instrumental in us clinching a second title last season.
“He leads by example and the players respect him and that is vitally important in a team situation and Cardigan are fortunate that he has put his hand up and taken on this job.”
Blackford started out as a left sided midfielder with Crannog in the early nineties and has enjoyed successful spells at St Dogmaels and Goodwick United as well as at the King George where he has been outstanding as a sweeper.
He confessed that he had taken a great deal of time thinking about this move and speaking to Sportsline the affable football man said:
“Yes it was a tough decision to be honest as I have said since I returned from Goodwick two years ago that my priority was my son Jac, and coaching his team, the Cardigan U14s, so I hadn’t envisaged a return to senior management.
“It’s a big commitment but there are some talented youngsters at the club and they were very respectful whilst I was captain last year so I wanted to continue to work with them.
Some of last seasons’ players have decided to try a new challenge which is a shame but I totally understand their decision and I wish them well. It looks like we will be a young squad this year so there is no pressure on them to try and emulate the success of the past two seasons.
“All I ask is that they give 100% in training and on the pitch, and we will see what happens. Seamus will be a tough act to follow and will be sorely missed as the effort he put in behind the scenes was amazing, but he’s like a bad penny so I’m sure he will still be involved in some way!
“Joe Roscoe has taken on the reserve team and I am sure we can work well together to ensure both sides are well represented in training and on a Saturday.”
Training has started and all players both old and new are welcome to come along to training on Monday and Thursdays evenings at 6.30pm.
