Old Gold reveal reserve plans to develop depth of local talent
CARMARTHEN Town plan to strengthen their foundations in a bid to bring more home-grown talent into their senior setup.
The Old Gold were relegated from the JD Cymru Premier last term after the campaign was brought to a premature close because of the coronavirus emergency.
But that has not stopped ambitious plans being drawn up at Richmond Park as club bosses plot a path back into the top flight of Welsh club football.
Top of the list is the introduction of a new reserve team.
The side will compete in a reserve league which will sit above the level of local football. The Football Association of Wales has revealed that five such leagues will be created, with two in the north, two in the south and one in Mid Wales.
All leagues will have 16 teams, with Carmarthen training and playing at Richmond Park.
Town chiefs see the reserve team acting as a support to both academy and under19 players in their transition into first-team football. It will also offer local senior players the chance to develop within the club’s structure.
The next aim is to reach out to local players, volunteers and a local coach who will work closely with the club’s first-team staff in a move to ensure all players receive their opportunity to progress to the senior team.
Club chairman Chris Edwards said: “We feel this is the final piece of the football jigsaw, enabling us to give the opportunity to players from under-8s to develop with us all the way to first-team football.
“This reserve team will be a big help in the step to senior football.
“On top of this we, as much as anyone, wish to see locals breaking through into our first team, and sincerely hope that we can attract the players and staff to embrace this opportunity.
“We are determined that local and academy football will be enhanced despite our relegation.”
First-team manager Kris O’Leary added: “This is a step I have wanted the club to take and it will enable me to see at first hand the player development from Carmarthen.”