Interview: Llandudno Junction Development young managers Cian McKenna and Rhys Smith speak to Grassroots North Wales
Two young managers, aged 18 and 19, taking their first plunge into senior football management.
It’s quite a step, but Cian McKenna, 18, and 19-year-old Rhys Smith have taken on the role with Llandudno Junction Development and are doing a great job so far!
Junction are performing well in the NWCFA Development League East Division, currently lying joint second with six wins from nine matches.
Grassroots North Wales spoke to Cian and Rhys about how things are going to date….
CIAN McKENNA
Welcome to football management. First of all, at the ages of just 18 and 19, what attracted you to management at the ages most young footballers are concentrating on playing?
For me, football has always been a massive part of my life, and I’ve always had a real passion for the game. Having played for several clubs and now refereeing at Tier 2 level, I’ve gained experience of football from different perspectives. Management felt like the next step for me, giving me the opportunity to develop my knowledge, help players improve and be involved in the game in a different way. At our age, it might be seen as unusual to get into management so early, but we believe that if you have the passion, commitment and willingness to learn, there’s no reason why you can’t give it a go.
Do both of you still play at all? Which teams have you played for?
I’ve played for a number of clubs throughout my football journey, including Penrhyn Bay, Mochdre, Prestatyn Town, Colwyn Bay, Conwy Schoolboys, Penmaenmawr and Llandudno. Playing for different teams has given me valuable experience and allowed me to learn from different coaches, managers and teammates.
I also referee at Tier 2 level, which has helped me develop a different understanding of the game, particularly when it comes to discipline, decision-making and managing players. Being involved in football as both a player and a referee has given me a broader perspective that I can bring into management.
How are you finding the early weeks of competing in the North Wales Coast Development League? Is the standard better, worse or about what you expected?
The early weeks have been a great experience. The standard is competitive, and there are plenty of good players and well-organised teams in the league. It’s a good environment for us as young managers to learn and develop while also giving our players the opportunity to test themselves against different opposition.
I think the standard is around what we expected, although every game brings different challenges. You can’t take any team lightly, and we’ve quickly learned that preparation, consistency and concentration are important if you want to get results.
How do you feel the team has performed so far? Your early results in the East Division have been excellent.
We’re really pleased with how the team has started. The results in the East Division have been excellent, and the lads deserve a lot of credit for the effort and commitment they’ve shown.
Results are obviously important, but we’re also looking at how the team is developing and how the players are responding to what we’re asking of them. It’s still early days, and we know there’s a long way to go, but the start has given everyone confidence and something positive to build on.
What has the team done well to date and what areas need improvement?
One of the biggest positives has been the attitude and commitment of the players. They’ve worked hard for each other, shown a good team spirit and helped us put together some strong performances. Getting results early on has also given the group confidence.
There’s always room for improvement, though. We want to become more consistent throughout games, improve our decision-making in key moments and continue developing our organisation both on and off the ball. As young managers, Rhys and I are learning as well, so we’re constantly looking at what we can do better to help the team progress.
How do you both find giving orders to players who might be around your age or older?
It’s definitely something that can be challenging at first, especially when you’re managing players who are your age or older. However, I think the most important thing is to earn the players’ respect rather than expect it simply because you’re the manager.
We try to treat everyone fairly, communicate clearly and explain what we want from the team. At the end of the day, we’re all there for the same reason: we want the team to do well. Age shouldn’t be a barrier if you can demonstrate that you’re committed, prepared and willing to listen as well as lead.
Do either of you have any role models as managers? People you look up to?
I think you can learn something from lots of different managers, whether that’s how they organise their teams, communicate with players or deal with difficult situations. For me, the biggest thing is learning from people who can get the best out of their players while creating a strong team environment.
I’m also fortunate that my involvement in refereeing at Tier 2 level gives me another perspective on the game. You see different approaches to leadership, discipline and communication, and those are all things you can take into management. We’re both at the beginning of our journeys, so we’re open to learning from anyone with experience who can help us improve.
How is Llandudno Junction performing as a club? Your first team has not made the best start, but the Development team is doing well and your juniors are thriving.
I think there’s plenty to be positive about at Llandudno Junction. Although the first team might not have had the start everyone would have wanted, football can change quickly, and there is still plenty of time to turn things around.
From our perspective, it’s encouraging to see the Development team getting good results and the junior section continuing to thrive. A strong junior setup is so important because it gives young players opportunities to develop and hopefully progress through the club.
The Development team has an important role to play in that process. We want to create an environment where players can improve, enjoy their football and push themselves towards the next level. If everyone across the club continues working hard, there’s plenty of potential for the future.
What are your ambitions for your first season as managers?
Our main ambition is to have a successful first season, keep the team competitive and continue building on the positive start we’ve made in the league. We want to finish as high as possible in the East Division and give ourselves the best chance of achieving something special.
Just as importantly, we want to help the players develop, build a strong team spirit and create an environment where everyone feels they can improve. For us personally, it’s about gaining valuable experience, learning from every game and becoming better managers as the season progresses.
What are your longer-term, future ambitions as managers?
Longer term, we’d both like to keep progressing in football management and see how far we can go. At the moment, our focus is on Llandudno Junction and doing the best possible job for the club, but naturally we’d like to continue developing our knowledge and gaining more experience.
Football is a game where there’s always something new to learn, so we want to keep improving our understanding of tactics, player development and man-management. If we can build a successful team, help players progress and establish ourselves as capable managers, that would be a great achievement. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of a long journey in football.
What coaching badges do you both possess? Are there other qualifications you are working towards?
We’re both keen to continue developing our knowledge and qualifications as we gain more experience in management. I also referee at Tier 2 level, which has helped me build my understanding of the laws of the game, discipline and decision-making under pressure.
Coaching qualifications are an important part of developing as a manager, and gaining further badges is something I’d like to work towards as I progress in football. The more knowledge and experience we can gain, the better equipped we’ll be to help our players and the team.
If there are any lads or girls your age out there reading this who want to try out management but might not have the belief or confidence to do so, what advice would you give them?
I’d tell them not to let their age put them off. We’re only 18 and 19, and we’ve already taken the step into management, so hopefully that shows that you don’t have to wait until you’re older to get involved.
You don’t need to know everything from day one, and you’re never going to learn if you don’t give yourself the opportunity. Be willing to work hard, listen to people with more experience, learn from your mistakes and believe in what you can bring to the game.
My own journey through playing for different clubs and refereeing at Tier 2 level has taught me that there are many different ways to be involved in football. If management is something you’re passionate about, don’t be afraid to take that first step. You might surprise yourself with what you can achieve.
RHYS SMITH
First of all, at the ages of just 18 and 19, what attracted you to management at the ages most young footballers are concentrating on playing?
For me, getting into management at a young age was about wanting to challenge myself and take on a different role within football. I’ve always enjoyed the game, and I wanted to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes, from preparing for matches to organising a team and getting the best out of players.
I think being young can actually be an advantage because we’re learning from the beginning and developing our own ideas about how we want to manage. Having the opportunity to work with a group of players and help them improve is something I’m really enjoying, and hopefully it’s the start of something long term in football.
Do both of you still play at all? Which teams have you played for?
I’ve played for Llysfaen, which gave me valuable experience of playing the game and understanding what it’s like to be part of a team. Having played myself helps me appreciate what players go through during training and matches, and I think that’s important when you’re trying to manage a squad.
I’ve also previously officiated at Tier 4 and Tier 3 level. Refereeing has given me a different understanding of football, particularly around discipline, decision-making and how players and teams react under pressure. I think having experience on both sides of the game will benefit me as I continue developing as a manager.
How are you finding the early weeks of competing in the North Wales Coast Development League? Is the standard better, worse or about what you expected?
I’ve really enjoyed the challenge so far. The league is competitive, and you quickly realise that every game requires the right attitude and preparation. There are good players throughout the division, and every opponent presents something different that you have to work around.
Coming into management, you can have ideas about how you want things to go, but actually putting those ideas into practice on matchdays is a different challenge. It’s been a good learning experience, and I think the standard is what we expected, with plenty of competitive football to come.
How do you feel the team has performed so far? Your early results in the East Division have been excellent.
I think the lads have been excellent, and the early results reflect the hard work everyone has put in. It’s always encouraging when you see the things you’re working on in training start to come together during matches.
What has impressed me most is the willingness of the players to compete and work for one another. Obviously, we’re delighted with the start, but we’re not getting carried away. We know football can change quickly, so the important thing now is to maintain our standards and keep pushing forward.
What has the team done well to date and what areas need improvement?
I think our biggest strength so far has been the way we’ve approached games as a team. We’ve shown good determination, and the players have been willing to put the work in for each other. That’s a great foundation to have, especially when you’re trying to build a team.
In terms of improvement, there’s always more we can do. We want to become more clinical in front of goal, make better decisions in certain situations and maintain our concentration for the full 90 minutes. We’re still developing as a team, so the aim is to learn from every match and keep making progress.
How do you both find giving orders to players who might be around your age or older?
I think communication is the biggest thing. When you’re managing people who might be older than you, you have to show that you’re prepared, that you know what you’re asking of them and that you’re willing to listen to their opinions as well.
I’m not going to pretend I know everything, because I’m still learning myself. However, I believe that if you treat players with respect and are clear about your expectations, they will respect you in return. At the end of the day, we’re all working towards the same goal, and age shouldn’t determine whether someone can be a good manager.
Do either of you have any role models as managers? People you look up to?
I wouldn’t say there’s just one manager I base everything on. I think the best approach is to take different things from different people and develop your own style over time.
I’m particularly interested in managers who can organise a team well, get players working together and adapt when things aren’t going to plan. My previous experience as a referee has also shown me how important communication and controlling emotions can be in football. Those are qualities I want to bring into my own management.
How is Llandudno Junction performing as a club? Your first team has not made the best start, but the Development team is doing well and your juniors are thriving.
I think Llandudno Junction has a lot of potential, particularly with the work being done across the different age groups. The first team’s results might not have been what everyone hoped for at the start of the season, but there is still plenty of football to be played.
It’s really positive to see the Development team performing well and the junior section continuing to grow. Having a strong pathway for younger players is important for any club, because it gives them something to work towards and the opportunity to progress.
Hopefully, we can play our part by helping develop players who can eventually push for opportunities with the first team. If we can contribute to the club’s wider success, that would be a real positive.
What are your ambitions for your first season as managers?
Personally, I want us to finish the season as strongly as possible and prove that we can compete consistently in the league. We’ve made a positive start, so naturally we’d like to build on that and see where it takes us.
Beyond the results, I want us to create a team that players enjoy being part of, where everyone understands their role and feels they can improve. It’s also important that we learn as managers, because every match gives us something new to take away. If we can achieve good results while developing the players, I’d consider that a successful first season.
What are your longer-term, future ambitions as managers?
I’d like to continue progressing in football and see what opportunities come along as I gain more experience. At the moment, my priority is doing a good job at Llandudno Junction, but I definitely want to keep learning and improving.
Management is something that requires patience, and I understand that you don’t become an experienced manager overnight. I’d like to develop my tactical knowledge, improve how I work with players and gain more qualifications along the way. Hopefully, if we continue working hard and producing good performances, we can build a strong reputation and progress further in the game.
What coaching badges do you both possess? Are there other qualifications you are working towards?
I’m keen to keep building my knowledge of the game and working towards further qualifications as I progress in management. I also have experience of officiating at Tier 4 and Tier 3 level, which has helped me understand the laws of the game and the importance of making decisions under pressure.
I think combining that refereeing background with coaching and management experience gives me a useful perspective. There’s always more to learn in football, and I want to keep developing my skills so I can give the players the best possible support.
If there are any lads or girls your age out there reading this who want to try out management but might not have the belief or confidence to do so, what advice would you give them?
I’d say don’t talk yourself out of something before you’ve even tried it. When you’re young, it’s easy to think you need years of experience before anyone will take you seriously, but everyone has to start somewhere.
You won’t get everything right straight away, and there will be times when you question yourself, but that’s part of learning. Listen to people, put the work in and don’t be afraid to make decisions. You can learn just as much from things that don’t go to plan as you can from winning.
If you’re passionate about football and management is something you’d like to try, take that opportunity. You don’t have to wait until you’re older to start building experience, and you never know where that first step might lead.