Newbridge have won the race to sign former Presteigne St Andrews player-manager Adriano Girolami.
The ambitious villagers have appointed Girolami as player-coach as they aim for another tilt at the spar Mid Wales League title. And manager Kevin Price is confident the experienced Girolami will be fit for the start of the season after breaking his leg in an FAW Trophy tie at Knighton Town last September.
Presteigne parted company with Girolami just two games from the end of last season and a host of clubs were after the services of the man named both Spar Mid Wales League Player and Manager of the Year when he led Presteigne to the title in 2006-2007.
John Jones has stepped down as joint manager, leaving Price in sole charge as Newbridge look to improve on last season’s seventh placed finish.
The Villagers, in only their second season in senior football, were well in the title hunt at Christmas but fell away over the latter part of the term. Price conceded: “We should have done better than we did, but possibly did not have the strength in depth when it mattered”.
To address that problem, Newbridge are keen to make several new signings in addition to Girolami and are hopeful all of last season’s squad will be retained.
Pre-season training started this week with a good turnout for the first session. Training will continue every Tuesday and Thursday, on the Llandrindod Wells High School all weather pitch (7pm). New players are welcome.
The club formed a Reserve team last season mainly as back-up to the first team and they acquitted themselves well with a mid table position under the guidance of Scott Oxford. Work commitments however mean Oxford has been forced to stand down and Newbridge are seeking a replacement.
At Newbridge’s annual meeting, Pip Samuel was re-elected as club chairman with Gary Hudson the new vice-chairman. Cliff Shield and Sarah Mason will continue in the roles of treasurer and secretary respectively.
Pre-season friendlies, all away from home as the goalmouths are being re-laid, are:
Saturday, July 19: Hay St Marys (3pm); Friday, July 25: Ledbury Town (7.45pm); Tuesday, July 29: Bromyard Town (7.45pm); Thursday, July 31: Wellington (Hereford) (7.15pm); Saturday, August 2: Newport YMCA (3pm – supporters bus leaving at noon; Tuesday, August 5: Builth Wells (7pm); Friday, August 8: Rhayader Town (7pm).
lAnyone interested in managing Newbridge Reserves should ring Pip Samuel on 07885 482830.
