Club Statement | Stewart Roberts appointed as Chair of CAFC

Cefn Albion is delighted to announce that the experienced and well renowned ‘Cefner’ Stewart Roberts has been appointed as the new Chair of the football club. Stewart will replace club legend Haydn Evans who decided to step down from the role back in July 2021 due to personal reasons. 

Behind the scenes, as many will already know, Stewart has been actively involved with the football club since very early in the season, and during this period we have already leaned upon his wealth of knowledge of the local game which has been really beneficial to the football club in many ways. However, following confirmation during a recent committee meeting and a ‘confirmed’ status in Comet we are delighted to welcome him as the new chair of Cefn Albion Football Club in an official capacity. Another proud and passionate Cefner is in the chair to take this football club forward.  

So, who is Stewart Roberts?

Born and Bred in Cefn Mawr, Stewart played youth Football at Druids United at the Old Plas Kynaston Ground, in addition to some Sunday morning cameos with some well known local teams he even enjoyed a spell playing for the old Cefn Albion team under our very own Haydn Evans. After hanging up his boots Stew took a keen interest in the football administration side of things and since 2006 he has been working at various well known clubs doing his best to help them to improve where possible. 

European Football

Stew enjoyed brief spells at some tier 2 Clubs but one of his most recognised roles was a 5 year period at Airbus UK Broughton in Tier 1, working alongside the current Connah's Quay Nomads manager Craig Harrison before his move to TNS. Stew was part of the team that helped bring Andy Preece and Andy Morrison across from the English System which ultimately played a huge part in helping Airbus achieve its goals in qualifying for European football in 2013. Following his time at Airbus and all the really different and enjoyable experiences he gained Stew took a well deserved break from the local game to focus on his own business and health purposes.

With Stew recently moving back closer to his Cefn Mawr roots he decided to get back involved with football and we are delighted that he chose Cefn Albion to work with. Those who are close to the football club will understand what Stewart has already done for this club in such a short space of time and despite significant contributions he has requested no fuss or any big announcements. He told us that he is just happy to be helping his local club. Stew everyone at CAFC would like to say a big thank you and we are delighted to welcome you home!  

After agreeing to become the new chairman Stew told the football club: 

“I am extremely proud to become the chairman of Cefn Albion Football Club, having been in and around the club since the summer I cannot explain in words the unbelievable amount of work that goes on for community and charity causes, it has rekindled my understanding of what it means to be from Cefn Mawr and what it means to everyone to do their very best for the local people and local causes. The work Haydn Evans and the Cefn Albion officials and committee have put in is phenomenal – something I hope we can maintain and push forward with. Most people in Cefn either know me or my family so will already understand that I will want to continue to push the club as high up the pyramid as possible. 

The team on the pitch assembled by Sean and his management team are impressive, team spirit completely in line with the community spirit, that sets the club up well to progress, we are thankful to our current landlords Cefn Druids for allowing us the opportunity to ply our trade at tier 3 and hopefully tier 2 at some point in the future. With the MUGA not yet at a standard for higher tier association football, it still hosts our reserves so we are grateful to the Cefn Community Council allowing us to continue there also, and to Matthew and everyone at Cefn Mawr Social Club for its support of the club, club sponsors too are invaluable. 

Finally, as I start my spell in the chair at the Albion, the message to the officials, management and players are to keep driving home the message of fundraising for charity, team spirit to climb the pyramid, and to those special individual’s who raise funds for the club week in week out I cannot praise enough, I know exactly how difficult it is, incredible efforts going on here. 

The final observation I have is the Cefn Albion supporters – still there week in week out up at the rock, but the `away` support is unbelievable and I hope that continues and I hope there is something to cheer loudly in the coming seasons. Always there in numbers, always cheering the team on win, lose or draw and always supporting the opposition by visiting their host pubs and bars. 

It's great to be back in my home village…….. I'll do my best to promote Cefn Albion at every opportunity.

We also spoke Hayd Evans about the news and he said “After 8 proud years as the chairman of CAFC, despite it being a difficult decision I felt the time was right to take a step back and with the availability of Stewart I am very happy that he has accepted to take up the position and I’m confident that the reins are being handed over to the right person. Not only is Stew a well known and respected Cefn lad but his experience and involvement with various clubs across the higher tiers within the local game will help the Albion move forward as best we can. There's some exciting time ahead, I'm sure! 

As for myself, I will continue to support Stew and the football club in every way I can so despite me stepping down from the role of Chairman I will remain as part of the hard working committee that we have with us and continue to be committed to the club. However, the reduced responsibility will help me strike a balance and allow me to focus more on my personal well being too.

Welcome to Cefn Albion Stew, good luck but more importantly enjoy it!”   

Pictured: Haydn Evans (left) and new Cefn Albion FC Chair Stewart Roberts 

On the appointment of Stew our club secretary Dean Morris showed his delight telling us that:

“Although it was a decision that everyone understood, It was a huge blow when Haydn informed us of his decision to step down from his role as chairman, he has done an amazing job steering the Cefn Albion ship since we formed 8 years ago! However, as we went in search of his replacement I was delighted when Stew, who has been heavily involved with the club this season, accepted to take on the role and I'm excited to continue working with him, now in an official capacity. The fact that Stew hails from the local area and has Cefn blood running through his veins is an added bonus for all concerned, he’s a passionate Cefner that not only wants the best for the club but the area too. I'm confident that his experience and knowledge of the game will help the club get to where it wants to be. 

Welcome to the Albion Mr Chairman”

Finally, we spoke to first team manager Sean Jones who said that Stew's knowledge within the local game will be a real asset to the club moving forward.

“With things now all confirmed, finally I am delighted to officially welcome Stew to the club. There is no doubt that he will be a fantastic addition to Cefn Albion bringing with him a wealth of knowledge that he has gained over many years of being involved with grassroots clubs both as a player and the other side of the white line. Having already joined us at many recent club meetings it's obvious to see how much Stew can help the football club grow off the field and his enthusiasm to get involved and help get things done over the past few months has been brilliant to see. I couldn’t be any more certain that we will continue to grow and be in a stronger position once Stew’s ideas come to fruition.

Welcome onboard to a fellow Cefner…”

There is absolutely no doubt that there will be some difficult challenges ahead but we have complete faith that Stew will be dedicated and give everything he can to ensure Cefn Albion remains a key part of the local community providing a good platform for those who decide that they want to represent Cefn Mawr at a respectable level. Good Luck Stewart!

Finally, as Stew takes up his new role we would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Haydn Evans who has volunteered many hours of his own time ensuring that Cefn Albion exists within the local community and is a welcoming and friendly environment for players and supporters from all backgrounds. Without the hard work that Haydn has dedicated over the years, it's fair to say that Cefn Albion wouldn't be where they are today. We are extremely happy that he has decided to remain with the club in a different role because he has the interests of Cefn Albion and the local community at heart. Thank you, Haydn! 

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