This week we met up with one of the managers from our Junior Section, Jamie Slater, who currently lives in Trefnant. He manages and coaches the u12 team assisted by Ian Martin.

He introduced himself " I work as a Programme Manager for the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board Informatics Department. I am married to Kat and have five children and three dogs and enjoy football coaching so my life is very busy at the moment "

When asked to explain about his football coaching in more detail Jamie replied " I first got into coaching with a mate in Wrexham starting at under7 level for a couple of years, before I moved to this area in 2006 and started coaching at Denbigh. I briefly set-up a junior club in Trefnant for a few seasons, running two age groups, before deciding to come back to Denbigh to manage my current team, u12s, as well as also coaching at Rhyl FC Academy. "

Jamie is one of our more qualified coaches and has a lot of experience and knowledge of football which he passes on to his players "I am a keen learner of the coaching side of things and have qualified to UEFA B licence standard. I feel that I've a lot of experience and knowledge in the game to pass on and really enjoy working with young players from an early age. It's great to see them develop their game and understanding, and the fun football sessions that Denbigh put on are a real pleasure to get involved in."

A lot of people who know Jamie are aware that he has played a bit of football himself and he was asked to explain further " As a young player I signed for Wrexham FC as a schoolboy playing for the reserves in the Welsh National League at 16 yrs of age. I was capped at Wales U15 and U18 Schoolboy levels and also Wales Youth U17's with Mike England in charge. In 1986 I signed a professional contract with Wrexham FC and made seven first team appearances during the season when Dixie McNeil was in charge. Having suffered a couple of injuries during that term though, things didn't quite work out and so I moved on to a brief spell with Northwich Victoria and then two seasons with Warrington Town in the North West Counties league. Later on I finished my playing career playing for Lex and Cefn Druids."

Football has taken a lot of Jamie's energy and continues to do so but does he find it difficult ? "I have a great love and passion for football and it is a nice distraction from the pressures at work . It gives me a nice work / life balance."

He was asked if his wife minded him spending so much of his time on football "Not at all. Kat is just as keen as me on the game. Kat will watch matches here at Denbigh and whenever we have the time we are both together in the stands at The Racecourse cheering on Wrexham ! "