Blaenau boss Ceri steps down on a high

Ceri Roberts has stepped down as manager of Blaenau Amateurs on a high.

Having taken over four seasons ago with the Quarrymen almost bottom of Welsh Alliance Division Two, he departs a much rejuvenated Cae Clyd outfit looking forward to competing in Tier 3 North West in 2020-21.

Roberts spent four seasons with the club as joint and solo manager, and had many others as a player, proving himself a more than capable goal scorer over the years.

He told Grassroots North Wales: “I believe I have achieved what I set out to do from when we were rock bottom of the Welsh Alliance Division Two, which was to bring back the football buzz into the town of Blaenau by creating a good, solid team and club.

“With all the tier 3 requirements in place in time, I now believe that it’s time to admit that it’s ‘job done’ on my part, and to pass the baton on to someone new to drive the club forward during such an exciting period in the club’s history.”

Blaenau finished at the Division Two basement in 2016-17, but the following campaign ended up a much-improved 11th.

However, the real fruits of the management and players’ labours emerged in 2018/19 as the Amateurs achieved second place in Division Two, ending up just two points behind champions Glan Conwy.

The Quarrymen were promoted to Division One, and at the completion of the curtailed 2019-20 campaign, they were a solid 13th in the top flight.

Proud Blaenau man Roberts, a teacher and retained firefighter, added: “I’d like to thank everyone I’ve come across during my time as manager, and I look forward to perhaps seeing some faces again as a player whilst I’m still young (ish!!) enough to play on for a while!”