Porthmadog manager departs with everyone’s good wishes behind him
Manager Stephen Williams and CPD Porthmadog have parted company by mutual consent.
The news follows Port’s relegation from the tier 2 Cymru North on Friday after a 3-0 home defeat against Holywell Town.
Port were unable to match the result on the night of Prestatyn Town, who survived after drawing 2-2 at Gresford Athletic.
Known as “Midge”, Williams took over as Porthmadog manager on December 27, 2023, following the departure of long-serving Craig Papirnyk.
In 15 matches in charge at Y Traeth, Williams won just two, with a draw and 12 defeats making up his record during a difficult spell for the club.
Back to back 2-1 victories at Caersws and Llanidloes Town in February were his highpoints, those outcomes briefly raising hopes that the club could escape the drop to tier 3.
CPD Porthmadog released the following statement: “Today the Board and the manager, Stephen Williams have agreed, by mutual consent. that his period as manager will come to an end as the season now reaches its conclusion.
“The Board wishes to place on record its thanks to Stephen for his efforts in what has been a difficult period for the club and wishes him well in any future role he takes up in the football coaching field.
“The Board will now seek to move during the next period to appoint a new manager.”
Williams said: “Regardless of what happens in football, there is only one thing that remains, and that is the club and its supporters. And that is all that matters at this moment.
“I cannot thank Paps (Craig Papirnyk) enough for bringing me back into my boyhood club and for Phil (Jones – chairman) for the opportunity to lead the team since January.
“Unfortunately, it did not work out as any of us wanted. There is no doubt that this is a massive club, a sleeping giant with huge potential.
“I’d like to thank the volunteers that put endless hours into making the whole thing happen, the amazing supporters that followed us everywhere, my management team for their work throughout the week and on match days and also my players that gave me everything but just fell short.
“I’m proud to say that I played my part in re-establishing the reserve team and am excited to see how it develops and also the work that’s been done to re-establish links with the town’s junior teams. They really are our future both on and off the field.
“I just hope now that the new direction will work and get the club back to where they belong.
I need to now rest and reflect before deciding where my next football adventure takes me.”
Williams’ appointment as Port first-team boss five months ago typified the club’s policy of promoting from within.
A Port boy, he represented the club as a player before going on to serve as coach at all levels at Y Traeth.
His wealth of coaching experience persuaded the board to invite him to take over, He was well qualified, having a UEFA “A” coaching licence and an array of contacts in senior and junior football.
His coaching experience goes back over two decades starting while still a player at Y Traeth, coaching the Porthmadog Juniors before taking over as Academy Director in 2003, overseeing the establishment of an FAW accredited academy.
He spent a period with the Bala Academy and two spells at the Caernarfon Academy, the first in 2015 before returning in 2020.
Before taking over Port firsts, he coached the development squads as well as the Reserves. In between these two spells he gained WPL experience during a 2-year spell coaching Llandudno’s senior team during their successful period at the top level.
In the past, he has also coached the juniors at Nantlle Vale as well as the girls development centre at Porthmadog. He remains coach to the successful Gwynedd Schools U 12s/13s.
His own senior playing experience, in addition to his hometown club, includes Holywell, Llangefni and Nantlle Vale. while at a junior level he spent two seasons at the Manchester United Academy and represented North Wales Schools.
Stephen Williams – a true community football man. All the very best.