An interview with new Denbigh Town Ladies manager Jordie Baker

Ten questions with new Denbigh Town Ladies manager Jordie Baker.

Grassroots North Wales wishes Jordie the best of luck in the season ahead.

1 How are you finding the task of being Denbigh Town Ladies’ new manager so far?

JB: So far so good! We have a solid squad together with some new additions which will make us even stronger. Lots of work is going on behind the scenes to create a pathway from U10-Ladies. I want to see as many girls as possible playing in a red shirt.

2 The announcement that clubs can return to training from this week must have come as a big boost. What are your training plans?

JB: It’s about time isn’t it, we have lots of plans lined up starting with a socially distanced team meeting on Tuesday followed by training sessions. The main aim of the next couple of weeks is to gel the team together and get used to each other.

3 Do you hope to retain most of last season’s squad? Do you have your eye on some new players too?

JB: Am I pleased to say the majority of last season’s squad will be staying with us. We have bought up some talent from U16 so we have a nice balance.

4 How reassuring is it to have John and Sharon Clayton as background advisors if you ever need them?

JB: Obviously it’s helpful as they have been around this set up for 12 years if I’m correct? There is always background stuff to chat about and John is helpful on that front.

5 Will the ladies team be working closer with the club as a whole in the season ahead?

JB: The whole aim of this mission is to bring the ladies in-line with the men’s and boys teams. We are Denbigh Town and that’s the way it should be!

6 How do you plan to use the coming season, which will basically be a dress rehearsal before a three-tier pyramid system enters Welsh women’s football in 2021-22?

JB: We want to go into this season and get a feel of what squad we have and see how we can fare before the structure change. Although we don’t even know what league we are in this season yet 😂

7 What are your thoughts on the FAW starting up an Under-19’s women development league?

JB: I think it’s a great idea to develop young player, however I think the age range on it isn’t correct. I think it should be development as you always have squad players that could play week in week out in that team but only be on the bench for the firsts.

8 You are a highly respected goalkeeper. Will you use your skills to spend extra time working with the female keepers?

JB: I will I put where I can with this and we have a goalkeeper from last year U-16s joining up with the squad for this season. I have also bought in Ben Rogerson as my assistant manager who will spend time concentrating on the keepers also. My main aim is to develop young talent.

9 How much do you know about the players you hope to be working with this season?

JB: To be honest I’m still learning. It’s been a hard two weeks talking over the phone and text to players old and new. I have been told things but as I’m sure you know you need to see it with your own eyes. The next couple of weeks will be a massive boost to us.

10 What are your ambitions for Denbigh Town ladies, both long and short term?

JB: Short term- cement a good team with good work ethics. Also try to raise the profile of Denbigh Town Ladies.

Long term – we want to implement a pathway for girls to the ladies first team. I want to see a field full of red shirts from U-10 to Ladies on a training day.