Welsh managers clash as County chase promotion.

Today’s encounter between Bradford City and Newport County brings together two Welsh managers with quite different careers behind them.

Newport County travel to Yorkshire in the playoff places but just a single point behind Northampton Town, who currently occupy the last of the automatic promotion slots.

County boss James Rowberry has done a remarkable job in taking over at Rodney Parade from Mike Flynn in October 2021. Newport born Flynn had taken the Gwent side to the brink of promotion in the last few seasons but his side fell at the final stages, including a heart-breaking Wembley defeat at the hands of Morecombe following a controversial penalty. Flynn is now in charge at Walsall.

Rowberry, also from Newport, made the short trip along the M4 from neighbours Cardiff City, where he had worked with the capital side’s youngsters in the academy. He also served as first team coach at the Cardiff City Stadium. His playing career had been modest, featuring spells playing at youth level with Bristol City and his hometown club. Rowberry retired from playing aged just 21 in order to prioritise a career in coaching.

On the other hand, the opposite dug out at Valley Parade will be occupied by a true legend of Welsh football.

Bradford City are certainly one of the bigger clubs in the lower leagues with a stadium capacity above 25,000 though many observers were still shocked when former Manchester United, Barcelona and Wales star joined the Bantams this season.

“Sparky’s” achievements and honours in the game are well documented. In contrast with the career of his opposite number, Hughes’ illustrious career featured spells at Old Trafford, the Nou Camp, Stamford Bridge and Goodison Park amongst others.

He earned 72 caps for Wales scoring 16 goals, including an unforgettable volley against Spain at Wrexham. His medal haul includes Premier League titles, FA Cups, League Cups and European silverware. He was the first player to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award twice, in 1989 and 1991.

Hughes has also managed some big clubs, including Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers and Southampton – another of his former teams as a player. He also enjoyed a decent spell as manager of the Wales national team, taking them to the brink of qualification for the 2004 Euros before losing out to Russia in the playoffs. That campaign including victory over Italy in Cardiff by two goals to one.

To continue the Welsh connection, Hughes has brought in former Wimbledon star Glyn Hodges to work alongside him, continuing an association that have seen the former Wales stars link up with Wales, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham and QPR. Hodges won 18 caps for Wales between 1984 and 1996.

The contrast between the playing careers of Rowberry and Hughes could not be greater but it is the Newport County boss who is currently looking the more likely bet to take his side up. The Bantams have lost three from the last five as Hughes adjusts to life in League 2. It seems unlikely that Bradford will make a surge to the play offs but will undoubtably be one of the favourites for promotion next season, when they could be joined by Hughes hometown side Wrexham if the North Walians continue their fine form in the Vanarama National League.

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