Eddie May's Tough Task

May at Llanelli
By Chris O'Brien
September 2 2004

Former Bluebirds boss Eddie May is finding life at his new club difficult! The charismatic manager has taken the helm at Welsh Premier new-boys Llanelli, and could well face his toughest task in his football career as he looks to keep the Reds in the top flight.

Former Cardiff City manager Eddie May is certainly finding life hard with his new club. The experienced boss has taken the helm at Welsh Premier side Llanelli, replacing Neil O’Brien as manager of the West Walian club who left following a dispute over club finances.

Llanelli earned promotion from the Welsh League last season, and the appointment of May gave fans of the club hope that they could make an impact in Wales’ top flight. However, things have been very different and the cash-strapped club look certainties for relegation only weeks into the new campaign.

Three defeats from three in the Welsh Premier is bad enough, but with a goals against record in the league already standing at 12 it could be a hard season for May’s Reds. To add to that, Llanelli’s League Cup campaign came to an abrupt end with an incredible 10-3 thrashing in the first round in a game May labelled “one of the most embarrassing of his managerial career”.

“I am playing with youngsters who give everything they have got, but conceding 10 against Carmarthen was just embarrassing,” said the former Bluebirds fan favourite. “We need players but with a lack of finances it’s hard.”

May has a wealth of experience in the Football League but feels the job he has undertaken at Stabonheath Park is the toughest he has ever faced. New-boys Llanelli are widely tipped to return straight back down to the Welsh League, the southern section of the pyramid, and keeping the club up would be an even bigger feat that May’s double success with Cardiff City in 1993.

“I honestly cannot remember being in a worse managerial predicament and it is going to be one hell of a challenge. I just hope we can make progress as the people at the club and supporters deserve some success”

Eddie May was a popular character at Ninian Park, and the Third Division title and Welsh Cup success during the 1992/1993 season was one of the finest in the club’s history. He enjoyed a bruising career as a central-defender, before travelling far and wide as a coach enjoying spells in Norway, Iceland and Saudi Arabia.