Manager of the Month

The Principality Welsh Premier League Manager of the Month for March 2008 is Peter Nicholas of Llanelli. The Reds' boss picks up his third award of the campaign and his second in succession following his recognition in August/September 2007 and last month. After another hugely impressive month the Reds are now a whisker away from winning the title. They have won all five League games in March and also won through to the Welsh Cup Final.

The Reds started the month in emphatic style with a 4-0 win over main Title contenders TNS, which put the club in the driving seat for this year's Top Honours. They then won a potentially difficult game at Port Talbot by 1-0 to extend their lead at the top. The next game saw the Reds come from two goals behind to beat Haverfordwest County 4-2 and they beat Porthmadog at Y Traeth by the same score on Easter Saturday. They continued their outstanding form with a double-win at Park Avenue to finish the month in style after a 2-1 League win over Aberystwyth and a 5-2 Welsh Cup Semi Final triumph over Rhyl.

Rhian Davis, Manager of Llanelli branch of Principality Building Society, said; "We are delighted that Peter has been awarded Manager of the Month. The team has had some strong wins in March and I have no doubt that their tireless determination to win the league, coupled with Peter's first class leadership will ensure that they achieve their goal.

"It's been an exciting feast of football this season which should culminate in Llanelli lifting their first league trophy. We look forward to seeing the Reds and all the other teams back in action in August when the Principality Building Society Welsh Premier Football League returns after a well-earned break."

The Principality Welsh Premier Manager of the Month Award for February 2008 goes to Llanelli boss Peter Nicholas.

The Reds' chief picks up his second award of the Campaign following his recognition in August/September, after an impressive month in all four competitions that the club are still in with a shout of winning. The Reds only played twice in the League with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Caernarfon Town at Stebonheath, followed by a 1-1 draw in a tricky encounter at Bangor City's Farrar Road and they end the month at the top of the League.

The club's Cup Form has been outstanding as well and they qualified for two Finals in February. They firstly overcame Aberystwyth Town in the Loosemores League Cup to reach next month's Final against Rhyl, whilst they defeated Carmarthenshire rivals, Carmarthen Town in the FAW Premier Cup to qualify for their first ever Final in the lucrative competition. In the Welsh Cup, the Reds beat another Principality Welsh Premier side, Newtown at Latham Park to reach the Welsh Cup Quarter Final.

Rhian Davis, Manager of Llanelli branch of Principality Building Society, said; "Congratulations to Peter Nicholas on winning this month's Manager of the Month. Llanelli remain at the top of the table and Peter has undoubtedly played a huge part in getting them there. Llanelli have played a great season of football so far and we wish them every success in the coming months."

The Principality Welsh Premier Manager of the Month Award for January 2008 goes to John Hulse of Rhyl following an unbeaten month, in fact the Lilywhites remain the only unbeaten side in 2008.

January began with a win over Connah's Quay Nomads on New Years Day and they then followed that success up with victory over Llangefni at Belle Vue. Their next match saw them gain a 1-1 draw at Neath's Llandarcy Park, before they got back to winning ways against Caernarfon Town, 3-1. Their next League game was a potentially tricky test against Haverfordwest, who were also unbeaten in 2008 going into that game, but a comfortable 2-0 win was achieved courtesy of goals from Marc Lloyd Williams and Craig Jones. Rhyl also played the First Leg of their Loosemores Cup Semi-Final tie at home to Bangor and drew 1-1, which sets up the tie for a great outcome this midweek.

Hulse has also made two key-signings in the January Transfer Window with Lloyd Williams and talented midfielder Greg Stones joining the club, and the arrival of former Wales Under 21 International Dylan Hughes and his brother Kevin, could also prove a Masterstroke by the long-serving boss as he pushes for qualification to another UEFA campaign.

David Sconce, Manager of Prestatyn branch of Principality Building Society said, "I am delighted to award John Hulse Manager of the Month for January. The team has had a great start to the New Year and Hulse's investment in the players ensures that they will grow from strength to strength in the coming months."

Ken McKenna of The New Saints is the Principality Welsh Premier Manager of the Month for December 2007. December was another successful month for the Champions and subsequently, it's another Manager of the Month award for Ken. With Saints' unbeaten run continuing through the month, Saints remain one of the League's dominant sides.

The month began with a surprising 0-0 draw against a battling Airbus side but Ken's side soon found their scoring boots and three wins on the trot against NEWI Cefn Druids, Aberystwyth Town and Welshpool Town maintained their title defence. McKenna has already steered the club to three runners-up spots in the Welsh Premier before finally lifting three successive titles in 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07, as well as adding FAW Premier Cup, Welsh Cup and Loosemores Challenge Cup successes and is going all out to bag the championship again this term.

Deborah Slawson-Davies, Manager of Principality Building Society in Shrewsbury, said, "Congratulations to Ken McKenna on winning the Principality Manager of the Month award for December. The New Saints outstanding performance over the last month has put them at the top of the league table and McKenna is very deserving of this award.

"Football is a way of life for many here in Wales and the importance of seeing off the competition in style is something we understand and strive to achieve as a Welsh building society. That's one of the reasons why we're so proud to sponsor the Principality Welsh Premier Football League."

The Award for November 2007 goes to Bangor City's Neville Powell. After joining the club in the summer following great service at Connah's Quay Nomads, the Citizens boss, who didn't enjoy the greatest start to life in the Farrar Road hot-seat, has now found his feet, and the club have risen into the Top Seven and qualified for the Loosemores Cup Semi-Final, following a tremendous month of November.

It began with a Welsh Cup win over Caersws in Extra-Time, but League victories followed at home to Viv Williams' CPD Porthmadog, by two goals to nil - Courtesy of two late strikes from one of Powell's signings, Michael Johnston and Ashley Stott, but they then hammered his former side, Connah's Quay Nomads at the Deeside Stadium, by 7-0, with Sion Edwards grabbing a hat-trick. The only games that Powell's side failed to win was a respectable draw at home to a strong Carmarthen Town outfit and a 2-2 draw at home to Llangefni after a late, late comeback saw them score twice in added-time. But, the month peaked with two outstanding away victories at Rhyl's Belle Vue in the League followed by the first ever Away win at Park Hall, home of The New Saints to dump the Professional outfit, out of the Loosemores Cup.

Powell made a number of new signings when he joined the Citizens, mainly from his former Nomads' side but the shrewd acquisitions of Les Davies from Porthmadog who has been in scintillating form and Johnston, who is on-loan from Tranmere Rovers has ensured that he has a formidable squad at his disposal at Farrar Road. This is excellent news for Citizens fans, who have endured a couple of seasons without continuity and success and this Award will delight the loyal Bangor faithful. Kelly Williams, Manager at Bangor branch of Principality said;

"Congratulations to Neville Powell on being awarded Manager of the Month. This month has been an outstanding month for Bangor City who have remained undefeated throughout November.

"It is wonderful to see Neville return to his roots, as I understand that he played in the club's first ever match in the League! His knowledge and commitment to the League is second to none. We wish him and the team every success for the rest of the season."

The Principality Welsh Premier League Manager of the Month for October 2007 is Deryn Brace of Carmarthen Town. The 32-year old was appointed into the Old Gold Hot Seat in May and he has enjoyed a strong start to the League season. The month saw Town gain League wins at home to NEWI Cefn Druids and away at Aberystwyth Town's Park Avenue, whilst they also gained a good away draw at Welshpool Town. In the Loosemores Cup, they beat Aber at Richmond Park and smashed Haverfordwest County 8-1 to qualify for the Quarter Finals. With wins in the Welsh Cup and the Premier Cup during October as well, the former Haverfordwest County boss enjoyed an excellent Month, although the start to November wasn't quite so good!

Rhian Davies, Linkage Manager of Carmarthen branch of Principality Building Society, said; "October has been a great month for Carmarthen Town AFC and I'd like to congratulate Deryn Brace on a well-deserved Manager of the Month.

"Carmarthen have really upped their game over the last month and I wish Deryn success for the rest of the season and hope that the teams winning ways continue through the next couple of months."

The inaugural Principality Building Society Welsh Premier Manager of the Month for the 2007/08 Season goes to Peter Nicholas of Llanelli. The full timers remained unbeaten in all Competitons throughout August and September with victories in all of their away games. They won at Llangefni and Neath as well as two outstanding triumphs at Rhyl and Caernarfon, coming back after being 3-1 down to the Canaries. Their home form was almost as impressive with wins over Welshpool, Newi Cefn Druids and Aberystwyth Town, the only blip being the 1-1 draw against Caersws. The Reds have also won both of their Loosemores Cup matches to date, overcoming Port Talbot Town and Neath Athletic.

Nico has also been active in the transfer market during this period, snapping up former Welsh Internationals Andy Legg and Mathew Jones, together with youngster Mark Jones from Afan Lido.

Rhian Davies, Manager of the Principality Building Society in Llanelli said "We're delighted that Peter Nicholas has won the first Manager of the Month title for the 2007/08 Season. But what we're really pleased about is how well Llanelli are doing in the League. We wish them every success for their forthcoming matches."

Nicholas also won the last Award of the 2006/07 season by claiming April's Award.