Taffs Well are one of 72 clubs looking to move a step closer to lifting the JD Welsh Cup as the Round One ties take place across the country this weekend, but they face a difficult challenge when they host JD Cymru South leaders Trethomas Bluebirds on Saturday (2pm).
However, the Wellmen can find plenty of JD Welsh Cup inspiration in their dugout as joint-manager Nathan Cotterrall twice lifted the trophy during his playing career, including once as captain. The 47-year old is now looking to use that experience to lead his side to success in what is the third oldest cup competition in the world.
Cotterrall was part of the Barry Town side that completed the treble-double in 2002/03 as he collected his first winners’ medal with a penalty shootout victory over his former club Cwmbran Town. A move to Mark Jones’ Carmarthen Town would lead to another JD Welsh Cup Final in 2004/05, although TNS would claim the trophy that year with a 1-0 win.
JD Welsh Cup
But success would follow as Cotterrall captained the Old Gold to a 3-2 win over Afan Lido in the final two years later. “It was the pinnacle of my career to be the captain and lift the Welsh Cup,” he told FAW.cymru this week. “It’s just a great cup to be in. There’s a great atmosphere when it comes to the Welsh Cup and everyone wants to play in it and win it.”
Taffs Well are currently 12th in the JD Cymru South despite enjoying a positive start to the season, and already know what they can expect from Trethomas Bluebirds on Saturday. “Our first two league results were fantastic for us,” Cotterrall explained. “We drew with Llanelli at home and then beat Afan Lido away.
“But we had a tough pre-season and we were looking a bit tired when we lost to Caerau Ely, who are a very good team. We then lost 3-0 to Trethomas when they scored three goals in nine minutes, and we followed that up with a great win against Cwmbran Celtic with a last minute winner. The boys are quite upbeat at the moment though and looking forward to the weekend.”
Trethomas Bluebirds are clearly enjoying their first season in the JD Cymru South following their promotion, a factor that Cotterrall believes has influenced their impressive start. “They’re not used to losing,” he said. “They lost two league games all last season and they’ve carried that through. They’re on a high, and when you’re winning you can’t ever see yourself losing.
“I think it will be a bit of a cagey game to start off with having seen them first-hand. They’re a strong team with some quick wingers, but hopefully we can bed ourselves into it and then see where we go from there.”
Cotterrall and Geza Hajgato will be planning to avenge that earlier defeat at the weekend, and were appointed joint-managers of Taffs Well in the summer of 2023 after their impressive work with the club’s youth players. “It is quite rare to see joint-managers now,” said Cotterrall.
“But we worked well together with the Academy at the club and we’ve carried that on. We’re both very different characters, but I think we both bring out the best in each other. There may come a time when we want to go our separate ways, but for now it just works really well for us.”
Taffs Well enjoyed their best-ever JD Welsh Cup campaign in 2021/22 when they reached the quarter-final stage before being knocked-out by eventual finalists Penybont, and from his own experience, Cotterrall appreciates the importance of success in this competition.
“A good cup run is fantastic for the dressing room but also for the fans and the volunteers behind the scenes,” he added. “It helps the club financially and a good cup run can also take the pressure off your league form as well.”
It has been a difficult year for Taffs Well as long-serving secretary Norma Samuel sadly passed away in January, but one supporter who will be cheering them on this weekend will be Don James. The club stalwart, who has been associated with Taffs Well for several decades, celebrated his 93rd birthday last week and continues to follow his team home and away.
“Don had a drink in the clubhouse with us last week,” Cotterrall added. “What a man he is. He’s unbelievable and a fantastic servant for the club. It would be great to get a result for him on Saturday.”
