DRUIDS want youngsters in the Cefn Mawr area to follow the example of footballing brothers Neco and Keelan Williams and make a name for themselves in the game.

Liverpool full back Neco Williams started Wales’ opening World Cup qualifiers against Belgium and the Czech Republic and didn’t look out of place against the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku.

Younger brother Keelan, who is on Burnley’s books, captainedWales U18s in their international clash with England in Cardiff on Monday where the yoing Drgains went down 2-0.

Cefn Druids have been a big name in Welsh amateur football ranks since the game originated and their academy is flourishing. So much so that two youngsters, Harry Fuller and Keiran Smith, graduated to the first team in their goal-less draw at Cardiff Met a week ago.

And Jayson Starkey, Head of Coaching at The Rock, wants to provide the pathway for more talented teenagers in the area to do the same.

“You look at what the Williams brothers have achieved. It’s great for this area, great for Cefn Mawr,” said Starkey.

“Cefn is a hot-bed for football. You only had to look at how many teams you had around the area. Cefn Albion, Plas Madoc, Acrefair, Cefn Mawr Rangers. They were all good teams and all within a few miles of Druids.

“People love their football and if there’s a patch of grass, you’ll see kids kicking a ball around on it. Even on the streets, they’ll be playing football.

“It’s always been like this in Cefn and we want to provide youngsters with the chance to play football and help them on their journey in the game.

“We wouldn’t like to call ourselves a selling club but if we can give someone a chance, provide them with a good pathway and see them move on to bigger things then we’d feel a sense of achievement.”

Druids are bottom of the table in the Cymru Premier League and are looking for a new manager after Bruno Lopes parted company with the club before the season restarted after lockdown earlier this month.

But with relegation unlikely this season because the leagues below have been declared null and void, Druids may experiment with their line-ups.

“We can’t offer big wages for senior players likes TNS, Connah’s Quay and Bala do,” added Starkey.

“You have to cut your cloth accordingly and we want to be a club that attracts younger players, who know that if they work hard and progress, then the opportunity for first team football in the Welsh Premier League is there for them.”

Druids, who didn’t have a game at the weekend, complete their phase one fixture list with a trip to Aberystwyth Town on Good Friday.

Flint Town United, who are also in the bottom two alongside Druids, visit Bala Town while Cardiff Met, in 10th place, host Barry Town.