‘There’s life outside Welsh Premier’

Mike Evans has endured his fair share of highs and lows after spending nearly three decades in charge of Caersws.

The former Wrexham terrace favourite (right) has masterminded the village’s rise to become one of Welsh football’s most respected clubs and, after a two-year break to re-charge his batteries in 2007, he is back at the helm and charting the Bluebirds path back to the top flight.

Caersws were one of the clubs that fell short of the Welsh Premier’s expectations for their Super 12 this season and Evans admits his side “made the decision makers’ job easier by finishing in the bottom two”.

But with a strong local-based squad taking shape and a lofty position among the Huws Gray Alliance hierarchy, it seems that Caersws are being primed for a quick return to the top of the pyramid.

“Personally I feel the club should only step up when it is ready,” said Evans. “It has to be done when the people in and around the club can afford it – and that means time just as much as financially. We were turned down for funding last year to build the required facilities to remain in league and we made it easier on the decision makers’ by finishing in the bottom two anyway.”

Caersws have not applied for the required license to step back up to the Welsh Premier should they win this season’s Alliance, a decision that is not causing Evans any lost sleep.

“There is certainly life after the League of Wales,” he said. “It got to the point that no matter what the club was doing it was not enough. We would carry out some work and then someone would come along and say you now have to do this and that. There was always a little bit more and it puts a huge strain on resources. It costs a lot of money; a lot more than it used to. Clubs need a bigger squad and bigger budgets. It is full time jobs for people off the pitch as well and becomes very tough when someone has to work 8-5 and then come home to work on the football admin.”

Evans admits to being refreshed following his break from the game and says he is focused on the job in hand to “win the Alliance”.

“It is a good league with plenty of quality. There are four or five clubs capable of winning it. We have been a little unlucky with injuries of late and have a lack of strength in depth but we’re having a good go at it.”