Ellen Lawson steps down as Denbigh Town women’s manager – Davies and Rizzi take over

Ellen Lawson has stepped down as manager of Denbigh Town women’s side.

She will be replaced by new manager Aled Davies and assistant Carla Rizzi.

Ellen had been in charge of the first team since 2021 and did a great job keeping things together through good and tougher times.

Her value to Denbigh Town FC was no more in evidence than at the end of 2021-22, when she became the first female to win Town’s Clubperson of the Year accolade for her magnificent work with the ladies team.

It was a really difficult 2021-22 season for the side placed in the new tier 2 Adran North League. With key management and players leaving the club early on, Ellen bravely took the reins and did a fantastic job in difficult circumstances.

Although results usually did not go the team’s way, Ellen increased the squad and boosted numbers at training. Since returning to the North Wales Women’s League, Denbigh have been a much improved unit under Ellen’s leadership.

As well as managing the senior ladies side, Ellen has also overlooked the girls section, assisting some of the first team squad on their way to becoming coaches themselves.

Ellen has played for Denbigh Town for a number of years and was part of the North Wales Women’s League title-winning squad of 2014-15.

Her history stretches back to the origins of the Ladies side under the then-management of John Clayton.

Ellen is truly one of the club’s pioneering figures for women’s football.

The club has moved swiftly to ensure a smooth transition, announcing assistant-manager Aled Davies and captain Carla Rizzi will take over as manager and assistant.

Davies has a wealth of experience in the game having managed the likes of St Asaph City and Llandyrnog United. He took over at Rhyl Ladies in 2019 before arriving at Central Park in 2021. He has worked as assistant to Ellen during that time and now takes over as manager.

Carla was named captain in the summer and has a long-standing history with the side. She has coaching experience at various junior levels and now balances her role on the pitch with one in the dugout as Davies’ assistant.

A Denbigh Town statement said: “We would like to place on record our thanks to Ellen for a tremendous three years at the helm and wish Aled and Carla the best in their roles.”