Denbigh Town Ladies football team are seeking a new manager

Denbigh Town Ladies FC are looking to appoint a new manager.

John Clayton has stepped down after 12 successful years in the role, but the good news is he and wife Sharon will remain involved with the team as football directors.

Formed in 2008, Denbigh lifted the Betty Pickering Cup in 2014 before the following season, John led the team to the North Wales Women’s League title.

The side also reached the Welsh Cup quarter-finals in 2014-15, then the semis the season after.

In more recent years, John’s son Jamie had become involved in coaching the team, but he now lives outside the area.

The vacancy at Denbigh offers an exciting opportunity for a new person or persons to take over running and coaching the side.

The successful applicant will have a good knowledge of the game but above all offer a commitment, drive and friendly enthusiasm to ensure that women’s football in the Vale continues and that there is every opportunity for women/girls in the area to play the game competitively.

He or she will not only be able to develop players and create a friendly atmosphere that allows those girls stepping up from junior football to integrate into the senior squad, but also be able to welcome new players to the club.

Ideally this person will also have coaching qualifications but this will not be a bar to appointment as he or she will be able to obtain a Football Leaders Award and an enhanced CRB on line. The club will help with this.

A club statement said: “Denbigh Town FC are very aware of the work done by John and his wife Sharon over the years.

“They have raised the profile of the women’s football not only in the Vale of Clwyd but throughout North Wales and have gained huge respect in the game.

“This is why we are very pleased to announce that both John and Sharon will stay on with Denbigh Ladies in an administrative and advisory role.

“The demands of running a team can be huge when we consider the registration and transfers of players, the requirements of COMET, constantly communicating with other parties, dealing with financial matters, the league and FAW etc etc. We could go on…..”

John said: “I have been managing Denbigh Ladies for 12 fantastic years during which we have achieved so much. The highlights were winning the cup in 2014 and then the league the year after as well as our runs in the national FAW Women’s Cup.

“It has been an incredible time but Sharon and I now, finally, need to think of ourselves a bit more and make time for ourselves and family.

“The new manager will have full charge of the women’s team and have no interference from us but we want to continue to help in any way we can.

“We are here to take the admin burden from the new manager by confirming matches and referees as well as submitting reports on COMET for example all of which can be a massive distraction to a coach.”

The new manager will have the full support and assistance of the committee and the backing of John as director of women’s football and of Sharon, who will be ladies team secretary.

Interested persons are asked to contact Stephen Whitfield, club secretary, Denbigh Town FC, by the evening of Monday, June 29, via e-mail – swhitf1128@btinternet.com