Nomads women are one win away from the Adran Premier – here’s an interview with manager Jordan Parry

Connah’s Quay Nomads women are three days away from the biggest game in their history.

Jordan Parry’s side will take on Pontypridd United in the Genero Adran League promotion play-off at Latham Park, Newtown, on Sunday, April 20, 12.30 pm kick-off.

Nomads qualified for the grand occasion by winning the 2024-25 Adran North league title with a perfect record of 14 straight victories. Pontypridd were crowned Adran South champions.

The winner of Sunday’s showpiece will compete in the tier 1 Adran Premier next season. Both teams have attained the necessary licence.

Can Nomads become the second North Wales team to reach the Adran Premier?

Here’s a chat with manager Jordan Parry,

Just a few days before the biggest game in your team’s history. How is the mood in the camp?

JORDAN PARRY: There’s a great feeling of excitement within the group and calmness to it all. We certainly have to keep our feet on the ground going into a game like this, We are in the middle of a good few weeks of prep leading up to Sunday so we’ve just got to enjoy it.

What do you know about Pontypridd United? You must be expecting a hard test

JP: We’ve done our homework on Pontypridd, I’ve followed the south league since Christmas so have been aware of their journey and how they did it, they have our utmost respect, They are the champions of their league, therefore deserve it. The club has past experience of playing at the top level so we know we are going into a tough game hence all the preparation over the last few weeks.

Do you have close to a full squad available, or some absentees?

JP: We have 1/2 injuries in the squad, however vast majority are all fully fit ready to go Sunday.

Looking back, your league title success comprising 14 straight wins must be more amazing than you ever could have imagined?

JP: Winning all 14 games was certainly not put to the girls at the beginning of pre-season,

We made it clear at the beginning when transitioning from a team with an average age of 28 now to 19 that a top 4 finish was our aim,

I’ve done this long enough to know the weight of the badge the club holds with a successful men’s team however the women’s has only been running consistently for 4 years so the pressure is already there,

Winning them 14 games is true testament to all them players we retained and signed last season, I had a clear plan of what I wanted so to not lose a game they have overachieved and I don’t think what they’ve done has sunk in yet because we’ve been fully focused on Sunday, Unbelievable mentality for a young group, They are special…

Do you feel you are ready for Adran Premier football?

JP: Without a doubt, I’m more than ready to manage in the top league. I’m always wanting to be challenged and put out of my comfort zone and I think that’s what reflects in my players, They are exactly the same and this current group are without a doubt ready to challenge in the league above

I guess with the men’s team having a Welsh Cup final coming up, and yourself in a promotion play-off final this weekend, the air at Connah’s Quay Nomads must be filled with excitement?

JP: And rightly so, This is what this football club is about – and that’s competing at the top in all sectors from men’s, women’s, Scholarship, academy, PDC girls, community.

Our players and people outside the football club need to see our teams winning trophies to inspire the next generation,

Although they’re separate entities it does have its strength of staff pulling together from both men’s and women’s supporting one another to achieve everything in front of them, For me personally, it’s important to have all people pulling the same way within your club and that’s what happens here.

What will be your message to the team ahead of Sunday’s final?

JP: With the prep for this game I can honestly feel I can walk away having given it my all. The messages ahead will be the same I’ve said every other game this season. It’s important our young group get the same consistent messages they have all season.

No truer words spoken… ‘ Good things come to those who want it ‘ This team want it.