Parry: "I can't believe how much we've grown"

Connah’s Quay Nomads Women’s manager Jordan Parry says he can’t believe how much his side have grown in such a short space of time after the Genero Adran North campaign concluded last week.

Although The Nomads suffered heartbreak in the Genero Adran North title race, there have still been many achievements on and off the pitch, including our maiden Genero Adran North U19s title victory and significant improvements within the Girls Player Development Centre.

The Nomads finished runners up again in the Genero Adran North, and conceded just 15 goals, seeing Parry’s side record the best defensive record out of any other team in the division. Missing out on this year’s league title was a tough one to take, but in March, silverware finally arrived as our U19s won the Genero Adran North U19s league for the first time despite being handed a three point deduction.

Our U19s finished the season on 19 points, with the title being sealed in our last game of the season as we defeated The New Saints 5-0 at Park Hall.

Parry is also the leader of our Girls Player Development Centre (PDC), which improved consistently throughout the season, including the expansion in age groups and special meetings with Cymru striker Elise Hughes and Cymru manager Rhian Wilkinson.

Parry has been managing The Nomads Women for three years now, and despite finishing runners up on two occasions, the manager claims his side will never stop competing and will always fight for success and trophies.

“It’s been an exceptional season for the project”, said Parry. “I can’t quite believe how much we have grown in such a short space of time.

“Our ambition at the beginning of every season is to always compete and I feel we have always done that and will strive to do so in every season that I am here.”

On the Genero Adran North season, Parry said:
“This was the first year of our transition in the senior set up and it’s gone the way we expected and predicted.

“Unfortunately we fell short in the title race due to faults of our own and unexpected adversity which we have identified prior and after the games we fell short in, so we are exactly where we should be.

“The group of players that have worked all season have been truly immense and coming away with the best defensive record in the league is a great achievement in itself but we want more than just that.

“As a whole, we didn’t score enough goals and eventually fell short by a frustrating six points. Finishing second this season was an incredible achievement, especially when we look at things in-house.

“I’m really lucky to have the best staff around me, Chris Redfern, Dan Roach, Faicka Harley, Adam Angerer, all the parents that help out and of course, my assistant manager Ross Jones, who lives and breathes the women’s project at this football club."

Parry continued: “We have a long term vision and want to create a sustainable model with young players that we hope can achieve regular Adran Premier football. This takes time, patience and structure, especially without financial backing.

“My job is to create an elite, fun, challenging and competitive environment that entices players to return to the next session or sign for the team itself and myself and staff feel we have done that over the three seasons we have been working together.”

On winning the Genero Adran North U19s title:
“Capturing the U19’s League title this season was so important to myself and staff for the long term message to all young players of the north out there that we can develop top young footballers. Evert single player involved with the U19s this season has been such a joy to coach and rightly so, we deserved to win the title.”



On the recruitment this season:
“This has been without a doubt the best year of recruitment. The players we’ve signed this season show a similar theme of young and hungry players, who want to develop their game with us at Connah’s Quay Nomads for the long term.

“Every single signing has made a huge impact into the team this season more than they know. Gaining experience at senior level will only make them more prepared and better all round for next season.”

On Kylie Jones’ first season as captain and team culture:
“Kylie has led the team in the way that I knew she would. She is one of the best players I’ve ever coached in terms of professionalism, pride and standards.

“She is an example to all young players out there, who want to take football seriously. She’s a special person that has ensured all players throughout the season have hit the highest of standards in sessions, matches and even in the clubhouse.



“It’s nice to be important, it’s important to be nice. The environment has never been better and we’ve had more togetherness than ever before, which has allowed us to show true strength considering the unfortunate events that happened this year.”

On the possibility of a third successive NEWFA Cup:
“Trophies are trophies and that’s what we look to achieve every season. Win them whatever they are because football for me, at senior level, is all about winning and doing whatever we can to win.

“I think unfortunately in the past, not everyone sees the game like that up North, but it’s gradually getting better and more competitive, which I absolutely thrive on.

“With winning the NEWFA Cup back-to-back already, we have no intention at all to give it away and Sunday, 12 May is a huge date in the calendar that we will be preparing for as we face a very good Airbus Women side.”

On a hugely successful season for the Girls Player Development Centre:
“It’s been astronomical how things have come to life with the PDC. It's something that’s definitely taken me by surprise because of the growth of it but at the same time, So rewarding and one of the most rewarding things that I’ve ever done.

“From U9s to U16s, they’re all training regularly and visiting teams such as Manchester United, Wolves and Tranmere. I think that's a huge testament to every player that has played for The Nomads Women and they all brought into my vision of competing for trophies straight away.



“Giving player’s an opportunity to be the best version of themself on a consistent basis is what this place is all about, and that’s all the way from U9s up the senior women’s team.

“I think people forget how long we’ve actually been going in comparison to other women’s clubs in the North. You won’t win anything without young players and I’m a huge believer in that, So the PDC is of huge importance to our women’s team providing us with the best players in the north for many years to come.”