Waterloo Rovers’s long-standing manager Dave Proctor will give youth a chance this season as the club bids to establish itself as the town’s No. 1 club.
The well-documented problems of Technogroup Welshpool have enabled Rovers to step from the shadows to become the biggest draw for the town’s young talent, and they are reaping the rewards with last season’s Central Wales Cup winning side averaging just 20.
And Proctor’s policy of looking to within to replace departures and long-term injuries will come into play once again this season with the club’s production line releasing more talent.
“There is no doubt in my book that we are the club of the town,” said Proctor, who leads his side into the Spar Mid Wales Division One season this weekend at home to Dolgellau. “You only have to look at the amount of young Welshpool lads that are involved with the club to realize that. We strongly believe in giving young lads a chance and it will happen again this season.”
Callam Bromley (Guilsfield) and James Vaughan (Llanfair) have left while Rob McGill and Oliver Highway are long-term casualties, which has opened the door for more of the club’s youngsters like Rob James and Damian Mann. Ian Macleod could also spend a spell on the sidelines following a midweek injury.
“It is easy to just go out and try to bring in players but we want to look at what we have within the club first,” said Proctor. “We have brought back the Youth Team this season and will be operating the Reserves and the Colts teams so there are plenty of opportunities for the youngsters of the town to have their chance.”
Proctor has targeted a top half finish this season, believing anything less than that would be a “failure”. They kick off at home to Dolgellau on Saturday.