It's an exciting time down at Bush Camp for all involved with Pennar Robins and we managed to grab first team manager Carl 'GelHead' Vincent for a chat about the summer and the season ahead.
How have you managed to attract so many quality signings?
It's fair to say we have had a busy summer and pre-season, we have had a strong pre-season which has continued with the way we finished last season. With regard to attracting players to the club, we have kept all of our current squad which is also a huge plus. Our current players and new signings can see what we are trying to achieve and I would say at this moment in time, we have the most exciting young manager in Pembrokeshire with Craig Butland being the First Team Co-Manager who is driving the club to a place it hasn't been for a long time with his enthusiasm and knowledge. The level of training Craig has been delivering in the last 18 months has been excellent. We have good numbers attending training with planned drills and a good club cohesion and with all our signings being 'Dock' boys, they know what to expect. It's a delight to have new signings but keeping all of our 2023/24 squad is just as important as it was a positive season last year and showed glimpses of what we can do.
We have a good blend of youth and experience on the first team management with myself achieving in previous roles from successfully managing the third team to 4 successful division finals as well as an under 16’s final. Before winning the Third Division as the second team manager before taking over the firsts 2 years ago whilst now being the Clubs Chairman and part of the First Team management. Also, Keith Butland (Craig's Father) who is our trustee 'subs' collector along with being our consistent linesman and ever present week in week out! Keith has been at the club for over 50 years with that being as a player and then being Craig’s assistant when he was in charge of the Thirds, getting them to a top 2 finish. It is a huge accolade in itself to say 50+ years at Pennar Robins and it is that level of commitment the three of us instil.
Run us through who has signed?
Dan James & Ben Adams (Goodwick United), Noah Davison, Jimmy Wilkes & Cameron Brunton (Monkton Swifts), Jack Jones (Carmarthen Town), Tom Grimwood (Milford United) and most recently Leon Stewart (Carew).
All of which bring different dimensions to our squad, and are all huge pluses. All the boys attended pre-season training and were extremely happy, they can see what we are trying to do at Pennar Robins. A huge positive is recognising that out of the 8 signings, 7 of them return to the club and all 8 are local boys from Pembroke Dock, that's what is important to us as we currently have 5 players who have been with us since the age of 4 (Rory Williams, Ross Jones, Ceri Griffiths & Ross Vincent) in which they won the Under 16’s cup in their final junior season. Plus, over another 20 current signed on players from our junior ranks.
Given you've strengthened your squad after a solid season last year, what's the goal for the coming season?
Huge strengths in the whole club, from the first and second team. As a first team we hope to achieve a top 4 finish whilst having 2 successful cup runs in both the Senior Cup and West Wales Cup. Whilst we hope the second team achieves promotion back to the third division under the leadership of Ryan Hallsworth, Mark Reed & Jamie Groves.
Will it be a challenge to keep all the squad happy with so many new signings?
Potentially yes, however we feel we have the right charisma and understanding with our expectations, clear communication is going to be vital and as a club we are a whole, unlike other clubs across the county there is a divide which we are thankful has never been an issue at Pennar. But, what we have is a couple of our experienced players moving across to play for our second team. The boys know the expectations and competition for places is positive, but like I say the communication between management and players is what will aid our successful season!
Finally, which fixtures are you looking forward to most this season?
Every game at Bush Camp! Our home games will be important and if our pre-season games are to go by, we will hopefully have large crowds present to support us and winning home games will be vital to ensure we reach our season aims.
Lastly, we have been able to achieve such signings due to the work of our secretary Alison Lewis, she has been inundated with messages from Craig about transfers and signings! Without Ali our club admin such as transfers, affiliation fees and players signing on would not be possible! Finally, thank you to my wife Emma for all her support, with me working all the time and if not working I’m always at Pennar Robins! No doubt the other coaches would echo the same.
Thank you to Connect for your time!
And we thank Carl for his time taken to give us such a detailed and interesting insight into the club's ins and outs. We wish Pennar first and second team all the best for the coming season and will be sure to hear from Carl again sooner rather than later.
