Ynys Môn Men’s Football team welcome back 2019 Hero Melvin McGinness but this time on the other side of the touchline.
The former Bangor City and Holyhead Hotspur prolific goalscorer now finds himself as player/coach of Trearddur Bay having joined this past summer. Since his move he has been undertaking his coaching badges.
Mel will be most fondly remembered by Islanders for his winning goal 7 minutes from time against Guernsey in the final of the Inter-Games on Anglesey in 2019. A moment that sent the packed Oval Ground crowd into raptures. His passion on celebrating was clear to everyone and it’s that which he’s going to be taking into the managerial role with the aim of helping the team push as best they can for the Gold medal again.
With Guernsey 2023 less than 250 days away Mel believes the team can ‘push for Gold again’ especially if he’s able to recruit many of the 2019 winning squad. But he also confirmed he’ll be “looking to bring in some new, young, fresh talent from all over the island as the experience is fantastic for young lads too with one eye on the games being back here in 2027.”
The next job for Mel is recruitment on and off the pitch. Assembling a coaching team to assist him is top of his list. On player selection Mel adds he “hopes to hold some matches just after Christmas to start putting the squad together early so we can prepare as a team from Easter onwards.”
“All I ask from the lads I’ve coached in my short period of coaching is that they run through brick walls for the team and leave everything on that field.”
We wish Mel all the best in the role and look forward to seeing the squad he prepares ready for the Island Games.