Meet the Gaffers: The Managers Leading the Novira Cymru Premier

From experienced campaigners to fresh faces, get to know the managers tasked with leading their clubs during the 2026/27 Novira Cymru Premier season.

---

Airbus UK Broughton: Mark Allen

After two Novira Cymru North campaigns that ended in near misses, Mark Allen finally guided Airbus back to the top flight at the third attempt.

Allen now faces his toughest managerial challenge yet as he looks to keep Airbus in the Novira Cymru Premier, but he is well placed to take on the task. Having also represented the Wingmakers as a player, he knows the club inside and out.

The upcoming campaign will provide Allen with the opportunity to prove Airbus are capable of re-establishing themselves as a competitive Cymru Premier side.

Ammanford: Wyn Thomas

Novira Cymru Premier legend Wyn Thomas is the man in the dugout at Ammanford, having replaced Gruff Harrison in August 2024. Thomas enjoyed an illustrious playing career with clubs including Aberystwyth Town, Carmarthen Town and Haverfordwest County, while also winning the Cymru Premier title with Llanelli.

He also previously held the record for the most top-flight appearances until he was surpassed by Chris Venables three years ago.

After guiding Ammanford to promotion, Thomas dedicated the achievement to the club’s hard-working volunteers, backroom staff and loyal supporters in an emotional speech on the pitch following their final day win over Cwmbran Celtic.

Barry Town United: Steve Jenkins

Steve Jenkins was appointed Barry manager in August 2023, on the eve of the club’s return to the Cymru Premier following a shock relegation in 2022, replacing Lee Kendall.

With little time to get to know his new squad, Barry finished ninth in his debut season. However, seventh and third-place finishes in the two campaigns since are testament to how he has developed a relatively small but close-knit squad.

The 53-year-old earned 16 caps for Wales during his playing career and has also held coaching roles with Merthyr, Hereford and Barnet.

Briton Ferry Llansawel: Andy Dyer

Andy Dyer has built a tight-knit, hard-working squad, whose team spirit have contributed as much to their success as their abilities on the pitch.

Appointed in October 2023, he secured promotion from the Novira Cymru South that season. Since then, 9th and 8th place finishes don’t tell the full story – they’ve beaten most of the division’s teams in that time, including champions TNS twice.

Though he has a decent sprinkling of top flight experience at his disposal, Dyer has also shown faith in the club’s youngsters, recruited shrewdly, and polished some gems from outside the top flight.

Caernarfon Town: Richard Davies

This will be Richard ‘Fish’ Davies’ fourth full season in the hot seat, after being on the club’s coaching staff for a decade.

There’s no doubt that the popular figure from Penrhyndeudraeth is their most successful manager ever, leading them to Europe twice before putting Caernarfon’s name on the Welsh Cup for the first time ever back in April. Expectations will be high this year, and the question will be how can Fish actually top last season’s success.

In recent years he’s attracted experienced Cymru Premier players to the north west, including goalkeeper Connor Roberts last year; it will be interesting to see how the new cohort fare at The Oval this season.

Cambrian United: Liam Williams

Entering his third season as Cambrian manager, Liam Williams guided the club into the top flight following a thrilling title race with Trefelin. Before arriving at Cambrian, he enjoyed managerial spells with Blaenrhondda and local rivals Ton Pentre.

Since taking charge, Williams has overseen the club’s continued progress, leading Cambrian to a Welsh Cup semi-final and a runners-up finish in the Novira Cymru South before finally securing promotion to the Cymru Premier.

Football runs in the family at Cambrian, with his father, Phil Williams, serving as Club President. Having also represented the club as a player and fulfilled a variety of roles off the pitch, Williams now has the honour of leading Cambrian into their first-ever Cymru Premier campaign.

Cardiff Met: Ryan Jenkins

Ryan Jenkins was previously Christian Edwards’ right-hand man before being handed the managerial reins in 2023.

Jenkins completed his UEFA Pro Licence earlier this year, graduating from the FAW Coach Education programme alongside Gaël Clichy, Nuri Şahin, Yohan Cabaye and Cymru Women’s national team manager Rhian Wilkinson.

Last season marked the first time in a while that the club has finished outside the top six, and Jenkins will be eager to guide his side back into contention.

Colwyn Bay: Michael Wilde

Mike Wilde was a league icon in his playing days, his goals helped TNS and Connah’s Quay to nine league titles. The 42-year-old’s first foray into management looks similarly promising.

Appointed by the Seagulls following their relegation from the top flight in 2024, he wasted no time in bouncing back with an immediate promotion.

He further enhanced his growing pedigree with last season’s excellent debut campaign in the top flight, signing a glut of experienced Novira Cymru Premier players to hit the ground running. This summer he’s also already raided former club Connah’s Quay for five players.

Connah’s Quay Nomads: John Disney

After bringing an end to a successful playing career with Connah’s Quay, John Disney was swiftly appointed manager and enjoyed a remarkable debut campaign in the dugout.

The former Nomads captain guided the club back into Europe at the first attempt, secured a second-place finish in the Novira Cymru Premier and was named Manager of the Season at the FAW National League Awards in May.

With a year of management now under his belt, Disney will be looking to build on that success, and his side should continue to develop under someone who has been such an influential figure in the league for well over a decade.

Flint Town United: Lee Fowler

Lee Fowler’s dedication to Flint should certainly not go unnoticed. There have been some difficult periods during his tenure, including last season’s 10th-place finish and Welsh Cup final defeat, but Fowler remains determined to bring success to the club.

After guiding his side to survival on the final day of the 2025–26 campaign, the former Cymru U21 international said: “I’ll do anything to keep Flint in the top flight.”

It will be interesting to see how his project, alongside his right-hand man Steve Evans, continues to develop.

Haverfordwest County: Tony Pennock

Tony Pennock remains at the helm at Bridge Meadow, entering his fifth season with the West Wales club.

Before joining the Bluebirds, Pennock spent a significant spell at Hull City as assistant manager, working under several head coaches, including former Bangor City boss Nigel Adkins.

During his time with Haverfordwest County, he has guided the club to European qualification on two occasions and overseen one of the most successful periods in its history. Known for his straightforward approach, Pennock remains focused on building further success, with his contract running until 2029.

Holywell Town: Johnny Haseldin

Holywell legend Johnny Haseldin will lead the Wellmen into the Cymru Premier for the first time after finally achieving his long-held goal of promotion.

The 44-year-old has compiled an impressive 65% win rate since returning for his second spell as manager eight years ago.

Haseldin has become synonymous with Holywell Town’s rise over the past decade, overseeing one of the most successful periods in the club’s modern history. Under his leadership, the Wellmen established themselves as a competitive force in the Cymru North and have now earned the opportunity to test themselves against the best teams in Welsh domestic football.

Llandudno: Jordan Hadaway

Llandudno manager Jordan Hadaway is entering his fourth season in charge of the club. He has completely rebuilt the Seasiders, with his crowning achievement coming when he lifted the Novira Cymru North title at just 24 years old.

Hadaway is younger than the majority of his squad, but he has a wealth of experience to draw upon in his first Cymru Premier campaign, including a mentoring spell with Real Madrid.

His rapid rise has established him as one of the most exciting young coaches in Wales, and he will be aiming to showcase his credentials in the top flight.

Penybont: Rhys Griffiths

Rhys Griffiths has been busy assembling a new-look squad, and will hope to see that pay dividends on the pitch sooner rather than later.

The Cymru Premier legend is now the league’s longest-serving manager after a decade in the DragonBet Stadium dugout.

Second in the league’s all-time top scorers’ list, the former centre-forward is equally tough and tenacious as a gaffer. His temperament can still land him in trouble, as it did with a six-match ban last season for criticising officials. But he’s driven Penybont to new heights during his time in charge, and will be determined to help the club kick on again.

The New Saints: Craig Harrison

Craig Harrison and The New Saints go hand in hand. The former Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace defender is heading into his 11th season in charge at Park Hall.

Harrison has won the league title in each of his ten seasons, across his two spells as manager. He has also overseen six Welsh Cup triumphs and five League Cup victories, while guiding TNS to become the first Welsh club to reach the group stage of a major European competition.

Craig Harrison is uniquely positioned in the league as the only manager expected to win every game he takes charge of.

Trefelin: Andy Hill

Andy Hill is in charge at Ynys Park and brings plenty of experience from both playing and managing in the Novira Cymru Premier. His last spell in the top flight came with Llanelli in 2019. He’s also previously managed Goytre United and Briton Ferry Llansawel.

As a player, Hill represented Llanelli, Neath, Afan Lido, Haverfordwest County and Goytre United, famously scoring twice for Neath in their 2011 European Play-Off Final victory over Prestatyn Town.

After leading Trefelin to the Novira Cymru South title following three years at the helm, Hill returns to the Cymru Premier hoping to establish the club at the top level.

---