PORTHMADOG manager Craig Papirnyk has reflected on a largely positive campaign in finishing in fourth position in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance this season.

Papirnyk admitted that more consistent results could have seen his side push the top two teams harder this summer, but he believes the club is definitely moving in the right direction - on and off the pitch.

“Another season has flown by, and we can reflect and look back at what we have learnt, and for me it is all about remaining positive and looking forward,”he said.

“This season has of course been frustrating at times, however finishing fourth is a massive improvement on last season.

“I always set my standards extremely high, and I believe that we should be competing for the top two positions every season, so in essence we have under achieved, but that is not to say we lack ambition.”

The Porthmadog boss said that giant strides were being made behind the scenes to ensure that the club has a solid platform on which to base their future success.

“The club is taking large steps in improving it’s infrastructure, the academy is growing stronger, the new skills centre is being well used and the club house is continually being hired out,” said Papirnyk.

“The small committee and volunteers are working hard to ensure that the club is being run to its best potential, which will allow the teams to be run more efficiently.

“Gethin Jones, working within the community, is making massive strides for the club and promoting it around the area.

“He’s been doing a tremendous job, using the facilities we have available, and we have to educate the next generation by using football as an educational experience. He is growing from strength to strength.

“Recently we had Osian Roberts down to officially open the Skills Centre, he was very impressed with how much the club was improving and I think it is important that everyone knows the club are doing everything they can to improve it’s status.

“We are getting bigger and bigger and I particularly took a lot from chatting to Osh about his time with Viv Williams at the club, using local young players to get the club back to successful times, and I feel we are in a similar situation with our squad.”

Porthmadog finished the season fourth in the Cymru Alliance, behind champions Prestatyn and runners-up Caernarfon, and six points adrift of third-placed Gresford.

“Looking back over the season, we’ve not been consistent enough, we have dropped far too many points at home, but our away form has been great,” said Papirnyk.

“Looking at the positives, we can improve our home form, and had we turned losses into wins we would have been a lot closer to Prestatyn than the league suggests. But hindsight is a wonderful thing, and we must now look forward, improve on what we have, which is very exciting.”

Papirynyk added that the Traeth club was serious in its ambitions to return to the top flight of the Welsh pyramid, and it is definitely moving in the right direction.

He added: “Looking at the club, it is moving in the right direction, we already have two UEFA ‘A’ licenced coaches, and I am working towards that achievement.

“The infrastructure as I’ve mentioned is strong and improving, so I would say the club is in a very good place right now.

“The Domestic Licence is a must this season ,which will prove we are ready to take that leap back into the Welsh Premier.

“It is my job now to improve the quality we already have, I do feel I have done this every season and I feel that the lads we have are only getting stronger as a squad.

“Port is still a big club in this league and looking ahead is exciting for me, and so should it be for all of our followers who again have been fantastic this season.

“Our attendances are up and that is credit to everyone for really getting behind us and supporting us week in week out.

“It’s time to look forward now, and keep improving on and off the field to ensure this club gets back to where it belongs, competing at the highest level in Wales.”