The appointment of Wayne Davies as manager of Port Talbot Town Football Club in 2004 raised a few eyebrows across the Welsh Premier League and within the club. Mark Jones had brought continued success to the club during his reign in charge from 2001 and there was limited optimism as former Neath and British Steel manager Wayne Davies, a close friend of Chairman Andrew Edwards, was brought in. The fears proved unfounded however as the club went on to enjoy three seasons of success and achievement under the guidance of Davies and we look back at the highs and lows.

The departure of Mark Jones to Carmarthen Town brought with it an exodus of players from Port Talbot and things were made more difficult for the new manager as captain Russell Wigley left the club together with goalkeeper Simon Rayner, coach Paul Evans and physio Gary Morris leaving Wayne with a busy summer to assemble a new side ahead of the new season. Former Swansea, Sunderland and Wales striker Colin Pascoe brought optimism to the club as he joined the coaching staff together with goalkeeping coach Clive Williams and former reserve team physio Mike Warlock. On the playing side Lee John, Carl Shaw, Jason Hislop, Gareth Phillips, Dean Johnston and Andrew Pearson became the main summer signings. A poor start of three consecutive league defeats brought criticism but results and impressive performances in the Challenge Cup showed potential in the side. A poor display against lower league Halkyn United in the 3rd round of the Welsh Cup was one of the lows of the season but Wayne made moves to strengthen his side ahead of the second half of the season with the arrival of goalkeeper Neil Thomas, defenders Lee Surman and Matthew Rees and striker Rhys Griffiths and it was his goal against local rivals Afan Lido on New Years Day that brought one of the few highs from a disappointing season that brought only six league victories and and a thirteenth place finish leaving the club out of the FAW Premier Cup places.

It was deja-vu for Davies during the following summer as coach Colin Pascoe took up a full time coaching position with Swansea City while Clive Williams left the club through increasing business commitments. Former Barry Town manager David Hughes was appointed as the new number two and his forthright approach and defensive knowledge brought with it far more organised defensive displays as the side. A superb start saw the club remain undefeated after twelve games in all competitions and optimism was high in the club as Rhys Griffiths and Lee John combined superbly well upfront and with a solid and well organised defence behind them the side looked far stronger. There was huge success for the club in both cup competitions also, convincing performances in the Welsh Cup saw the club reach the semi final stage while an appearance in the final of the Loosemores Solicitors Challenge Cup was a huge achievement for the club. It was Rhys Griffiths who was taking all the headlines with his amazing goalscoring exploits however and he completed the season with 28 goals to win both the golden boot award and also the Welsh Premier League Players of the Season award. Davies himself was also taking the plaudits for the achievements of the club on the field as he collected a Manager of the Month award following the impressive start to the season. The semi final of the Welsh Cup that season would prove one of the lowest points of Wayne Davies’s time in charge however as his side competed against Rhyl at Aberystwyth for a place in the final. In extra time a goal from Rhys Griffiths was disallowed by referee Kevin Parry for reasons apparent only to himself and the side would eventually lose the match and the chance of a place in the UEFA Cup on a penalty shoot-out. The Loosemores Solicitors Challenge Cup Final that year also took place at Aberystwyth against League Champions T.N.S and while the opposition climed a comfortable four goal vicotry over an exhausted Port Talbot side, it gave the supporters the opportunity to thank the players and management for their achievements that season. The club finished the season in fifth place just one point away from European qualification.

As with each of the previous two seasons, the summer of 2006 started in a similar style with coach David Hughes leaving to join the coaching staff at Merthyr Tydfil. In addition captain Gareth Phillips and top scorer Rhys Griffiths departed to Merthyr and Llanelli respectively leaving little promise of the club building on their success of the previous campaign. Huw Lloyd was appointed as coach by Wayne during pre-season and new signings in Chad Bond, Andrew Mumford and Martin Rose gave the side a new look but they quickly settled and adjusted to the footballing style of the side under Wayne Davies with a number of convincing performances including a seven goal victory over Caernarfon Town in September. Experienced coach Glan Letheran was brought in to get the best out of goalkeeper Kristian Rogers as Wayne looked to build on the potential of his young squad and improved performances justified the decision. Impressive results including league victories over T.N.S, Rhyl, Llanelli and Carmarthen Town were matched in the cup competitions as the side defeated Haverfordwest and Rhyl in the FAW Premier Cup to set-up a massive quarter final match against Swansea City in January. Swansea City fielded a very strong squad for the match and played the last hour with Lee Trundle, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Rory Fallon upfront but were taken to extra time by Port Talbot and it was former Swan Andrew Mumford who would become the hero as he scored with minutes remaining to win the game for Port Talbot 2-1 in front of 2,600 fans at The RE/MAX Stadium as the club opened the new Gerald McCreesh Stand with an incredible result and even better performance. The display by Wayne Davies’s side on the night was hailed by managers across the Welsh Premier League as the best ever by a Welsh Premier club in the competition.

The second half of the season would prove disappointing on the cup front however. The reward for a victory over Swansea City was an away match against Newport County live on BBC and despite another strong and committed performance in a match that also went to extra time, Port Talbot were defeated but were again praised for their performance. It would not prove as successful in the Welsh Cup however. An unconvincing victory over lower league Ton Pentre set-up a home local derby in the quarter final against Afan Lido, the two clubs had not met since Lido’s relegation in 2005 and many viewed this as a comfortable passage into the semi-final and the chance to avenge the disappointment of the previous season. This would not be the case however as Port Talbot failed to turn up on the day and Afan Lido claimed a 1-0 victory in one of the biggest lows of Wayne’s time in charge at the club.

The two cup defeats had left Port Talbot with only an outside chance of claiming a European place through the league and disappointing defeats at home to Airbus and Connah’s Quay ended that chance as the side struggled for consistency. It was then in April that Wayne Davies announced to his players that he would leaving the club at the end of the season together with coach Huw Lloyd and Glan Letheran and that Tony Pennock would be taking over the position and would be assisted by experienced football league campaigner Paul Reid.

'“I have throughly enjoyed the majority of the three years at the club. It has not always been easy but we get through the hard times and enjoy the good times. The club is now unrecognisable from three years ago. Andrew Edwards does not get the credit he deserves. Eddie is so hard working and I wish I had his energy. If he is not flat out with his buisness he is flat out with the club”, said Davies. “From a footballing point of view we have steadily made progress. When I came to the Blues I had three players -Robert Cockings, Russell Wigley and Simon Rayner. My first job was then to congratulate Simon on getting a Pro Contract at Lincoln City. I lost my coach to Maesteg Park - Paul Evans and our physio went to Carmarthen Town. Our 1st season was about survival but three years later the expectations are much higher. This is a contrast to how Tony Pennock will arrive at the club. He will inherit a talented group of young players whom love PTT and have turned down better offers from other clubs. Tony is well thought of and is just starting out in management. I discussed the appointment with Andrew Edwards and I backed it 100%. Tony will make mistakes but they will be honest and he will deserve the backing of the club. I have to say that I think that the small band of supporters whom back the club are absolute jewels. We have had some memorable days together. I would like to thank all the people whom have helped me, Colin Pascoe, David Hughes, Huw Lloyd, Glan Letheren, Clive Williams, Simon Jones, George Bowen and most of all Mike Warlock. Mike has been a diamond and is a real unsung hero and he has helped bring continuity to the club. Finally I have made some great firends from all different walks of life and from all over the country in my time as manager of Port Talbot Town. I know that football people throughout Wales have stood up and applauded what we have done here -even if people on our doorstep have left it unnoticed. These friendships are what sport is all about. It should bring people together. I will miss the players , management and supporters of the club, we have been good for each other”.

The three seasons that Wayne Davies held the managers position at Port Talbot Town will be judged as nothing but a huge success. Wayne has left behind a young and talented squad of players and his dedication and enthusiasm has taking the club to a new level. During his three years in charge our fans have enjoyed amazing highs and the decision of players to stay at the club despite lucrative offers during his time in charge is testament to the team spirit that he has brought to the squad.

Thank you Wayne and good luck for the future.