Haverfordwest County take a step into the unknown this week as they host Montenegrin outfit FK Budućnost Podgorica in the opening round of the UEFA Youth League at Ogi Bridge Meadow on Wednesday 17 September (7.45pm).
The club are taking part in the competition for the very first time following their victory over The New Saints in the FAW Academi Development League National Final at Colliers Park back in May.
“It’s really exciting because it’s such uncharted territory,” explained head coach Ceri Phillips. “People are looking forward to travelling away and playing out in Montenegro as well, so there’s a lot of excitement with that.”
The second leg takes place in Montenegro on Tuesday 30 September, and carries on from a busy summer for the club with the senior team also competing in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers this season.
The tireless efforts of Chief Executive Beccy Nuttall in juggling European commitments while also taking care of domestic matters is not lost on Phillips as he prepares his squad for their debut on the continent.
“There’s a lot of planning involved for Beccy as well as other people who are working around the clock,” he added. “People are really busy, but everyone’s excited. There’s no real pressure on us. We’re going into the unknown, so it’s just pure excitement really. Hopefully everybody enjoys the challenge and gives a good account of themselves both home and away.”
Penalties were required to see off the challenge of The New Saints, but the majority of the squad that were FAW Youth Cup winners and domestic champions last season to qualify for the UEFA Youth League are no longer eligible.
“It’s a totally new group with only about five or six players from last year’s squad remaining,” explained Phillips. “About six players have graduated from our under-16s, which is important.”
“We’ve assembled a good squad again this season, but there’s a lot of younger players. We’ve got a lot of work to do this season to get the boys to where we need them to be. Domestically we’ve got aims and objectives, but the European competition is all about trying to enjoy it and embracing the challenge because we know how difficult it’s going to be, but it’s a special time for the players as well.”
Phillips has experience of coaching in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Swansea City while first team manager Tony Pennock has also been leaned on for his advice and support.
“Hopefully we can bring all that experience together and just help the boys as much as we possibly can,” he added. “We want to do whatever we can do so that they give them the best account of themselves on the pitch.
“I’ve got a little bit of European experience, but I’m looking forward to doing it with this group. Haverfordwest County as a club means a lot to me, so to be able to do it with them and the people that we’ve got working here as well is special. We’re not just representing Haverfordwest and Pembrokeshire, which is something we’re really proud of, we’re also representing our country on the European stage.”
Although information on their opponents is limited, Phillips and his staff have done as much homework as possible.
“It’s difficult but we know the reputation they’ve got as a football club and we’re aware of how tough it’s going to be,” he added. “We roughly know kind of what to expect and what levels they’re at in comparison to us.
“The main message from us as coaches is that there’s no pressure, just as long as the players give everything they can and stick to the game plan. But when they’ve got moments to show what they can do, go and do it. We want the players not to leave anything out on the pitch and enjoy the experience, and do it in the right way.”
Phillips was also keen to emphasise the importance of the Academy coaches that have played their part in developing the current crop of players.
“There’s a lot of people involved, such as Steve Batty, who has overseen the academy and these players for several years, so we had a clear kind of pathway and a clear vision for the group of players when they were younger. There was always a clear methodology.
“There’s a number of coaches at the Academy who can be really proud of the development of these players across the various age groups they’ve gone through. Also, for the younger age groups, the grassroots coaches in Pembrokeshire can be really proud of the influence they’ve had.
“It’s definitely a collective effort. A lot of people have put a lot into it, but it just goes to show that when people all have the same kind of message, all working towards the same ideas and have good intentions, just what can be achieved.
“We’re also in a good position that we’re able to host our home games at our own stadium, so that will be a great opportunity to showcase the club and our facilities, and hopefully get a good crowd from the Pembrokeshire locals and the wider area as well to come and see some European football.”
The success of the Academy at Haverfordwest County also extends to the number of players that have been elevated into the senior squad and involved in the JD Cymru Premier in recent years.
“It’s massive because it’s what we’re here for at the end of the day,” explained Phillips. “We want to develop players and the whole idea is to try and get young, local players stepping up to the first team.
“We’ve got a first team manager who’s so open to that and encouraging of it and a lot of our players train with the first team on a regular basis. When you’ve got a manager like Tony (Pennock) and his assistant Gary Richards, who take such a keen interest on what’s happening underneath the first team, it just makes it all worthwhile. It’s a lot easier to motivate the players and recruit players because the pathway is quite clear.”
