PICTURE BY Wynne Evans shows John Webster in the middle.
LONG-SERVING Bodorgan manager John Webster has announced he is stepping down from the role after five years with the club.
The announcement came following the club’s 2-2 draw v Cefni – their last match of the inaugural North Wales Coast West Division One season yesterday afternoon.
Webster and his dad Dave have both been a huge part of the club’s progression down the years and helped them make the move from the Anglesey League over to the new Division One by securing a pitch-sharing deal with tier four club Aberffraw at their Cae Cynlas ground.
In 2017/18 – John’s first with the club – Bodorgan came seventh out of nine with twelve points but pulled off the incredible by reaching the Elias Cup final – beating giants Bryngwran Bulls in the semi-final.
They eventually lost that final on penalties to Arriva Bangor following a 2-2 draw in normal and extra time – but just getting to the final was a huge achievement for the club in the first place.
Down the years, under the Websters’ guidance, Bod have proven to be a thorn in even many a ‘big’ team’s side.
In the last season in the Anglesey League (2019/20), they stunned high-flying Hotspur Reserves, who eventually finished 3rd, with a 5-1 win at the New Stadium.
That season they also reached the semi-finals of the Elias Cup and the Benllech Car Boot Trophy before Covid-19 unfortunately brought the season to an early end.
Fast forward to this season and John is bowing out on a high with Bodorgan having picked up a record number of league points.
They picked up 33pts from 30 matches, finishing 10th out of 16 in the first-ever Division One season and made it to the quarter finals of the prestigious NWCFA Junior Cup.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride for John and the club – who even managed to sign a Maldives international footballer once upon a time!
Speaking to AFE upon his departure from Bodorgan, John said: “I started in the 2017-18 season running it essentially because we really struggled to get a team for that year so I decided I would do it.
“I’d say the overall highlight was probably reaching the Elis Cup final, it’s just a shame we didnt win that one because we had the chances to do it!”
Talking about what it’s been liking coaching alongside dad Dave, John added: “That’s the only reason I did it was to help him really so its been great otherwise I probably wouldnt have ever got into doing it.”
Commenting on his last season with the club, he said: “It’s been okay, we have a great group of lads but results wise I think we are about 15-18 points short of where we should be.”
John added that he was now looking to ‘take a break from the commitment’ of football every weekend for the time being.
AFE would like to wish him all the best in future, he’s been a massive help to the blog down the years also. Hwyl am yr tro John!
AFEFootballNews 