Up the Welly! Llay Welfare Vets manager Jonny Taylor wins league title in debut season

Raise your glasses for the champions!

Llay Welfare were crowned North East Wales Veterans League Championship Division title winners on Sunday after a 3-1 win at Peonmaenmawr Phoenix.

Quite an achievement for manager Jonny Taylor in his first season as boss!

Two goals from midfield maestro Ricky Evans, the former TNS and Bangor City star, plus a single from Dan Richardson sealed the win for the Welly at Cae Sling.

Darren Hughes replied for Phoenix, but this was Llay’s day as they scooped the title with an unbeaten record of nine wins and two draws.

JONNY TAYLOR spoke to GRASSROOTS NORTH WALES about the achievement

Grassroots North Wales
Your first season as a veterans manager and you’re a league champion – how does it feel?
Jonny Taylor
Yea it feels good to be fair. It’s been a great first season for the club and to pick up the league title is brilliant.

GNW
What is the secret behind Llay Welfare’s success this season?
JT
The lads have been class for me and Kez Howells all season, we’ve not struggled for numbers and had a consistent side throughout the season. All the lads know each other and are mates from years back so that was a big part in winning a trophy I think.

GNW
Your title-winning game featured two goals from Ricky Evans. How big an influence has Ricky been on the season?
JT
Having lads like Ricky Evans in your side always helps, he’s been a great player over the years everyone knows that and he’s still brilliant now to be fair to him

GNW
Do you think you can make a big impression in the Premier Division next season?
JT
To be honest we know the next league will be tougher again but we’ve played majority of these sides in pre-season and didn’t struggle so we will see how we go next season. I believe Hawarden haven’t lost in a number of years so we plan on putting that right next season and see what happens.

GNW
Have you managed to balance your time as a player for Rhyl 1879 and a manager of Llay Vets comfortably?
JT
To be fair I’ve been injured most of this season after tearing my meniscus 2 weeks before the start of the season so it’s not been a great season for me on the pitch in fairness, but then managing wise it’s been brilliant. You can’t have it all they say don’t they.

GNW
I guess the big target now is to win the league as player with Rhyl as well as a manager with Llay?
JT
Like I said it’s been tough for me playing wise this season and the lads at Rhyl have been unreal – they give it everything week in week out but had some tough patches this year but it’s not over yet I still think there will be a couple of upsets so see what happens. If we can’t win it then it’s important we get the play offs and I’m sure the lads will make sure of that
I’ve been back the last month, managed to get a few goals along the way so if i can help us get over the line then brilliant

GNW
A message to the players of Llay Welfare Vets from you for their efforts this season?
JT
Big thanks to all the players for this season – they’ve made it pretty easy for me to be fair so without them it wouldn’t be possible! Up the Welly!