Penycae Football Club are delighted to announce that Liam Simon has been appointed as our new First-team Manager.
He moves to The Riverside following a successful season managing the Hawarden Development side and is due shortly to start the UEFA C licence course.
Everyone at the club would like to wish Liam all the best in the role and we are pleased that we can give a young enthusiastic manager the opportunity to test himself in the League.
Following his appointment, Liam gave his thoughts "Firstly I'd like to thank Andy, Steve and Colin for giving me the chance to take on the role as manager of the club, especially with me being somewhat a novice to coaching senior football. I am hoping my career as a player has helped me gain the knowledge for me to develop into a good manager as well.
I've played under a number of managers over my career so I hope I have learnt a few things that I will use in this job with Penycae FC!
When the position became available, I initially thought ‘will this be too much too soon?’ but then on the flip side I felt I could bring something to the club with my hunger to succeed and I'm hoping that's one thing the lads buy into. The way I want the team to play is a way I think the lads will enjoy.
My only other managerial role was with the Hawarden Development side. I am early into my coaching career but I am young and hungry to succeed. The lads there quickly bought into that, took to me as shown by the results. One defeat and a league and cup double since I have been in charge isn't bad going.
I'd like to think I’m a good man manager and I value all my players as people first and foremost. I think it's important to have good relationships with the players and then you will get the best out of them when we cross the white lines. I also value togetherness in the team.
People have told me the team underachieved last season. I'm hoping to keep the majority of the players so we can push on this season and get as high up the league as possible. I will be looking to get the lads back in training in the 2nd week in June. I know at this time of year, people will be looking at our players. I want to show the lads what I can do and get them to buy into me as a coach. I will also be trying to sign players where I feel we may need to strengthen our squad.
I am not one for running lads into the ground with tonnes of fitness training. Yes, there will be an element of fitness in pre-season but with the lads finishing the season late they shouldn't be too far off. Most of my training will be with the ball with the emphasis on how I want us to play. There will be a lot of shape work and set plays.
I am planning a few tough friendlies so keep an eye out for some good fixtures for you all to come down and see what we are working on. It will be great to have the local community down at the Riverside supporting us.
I hope to see you all down at the ground soon. Please feel free to come and introduce yourself to me!
Once again I'd like to thank Penycae for the chance to be the new manager.
Liam
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