Crofts so proud as Wales win promotion

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Bruce Talbot

2024-11-21T15:15+00:00

Andrew Crofts became a part of Craig Bellamy's backroom staff in August. 📷 by Football Association of Wales.

There were plenty of highlights for Albion players during the latest international break, not least Evan Ferguson’s goal for the Republic of Ireland and teenage defender Ruairi McConville’s Northern Ireland debut.

But men’s first-team coach Andrew Crofts was celebrating too, having helped guide a resurgent Wales to promotion to Group A in the Nations League after they made it six games unbeaten under Craig Bellamy with a 4-1 win over Iceland.

Bellamy took over as head coach from Rob Page in August and brought Crofts onto his coaching staff. Crofts won 29 caps for his country and is just as proud of the part he is playing in Wales’ revival under Bellamy.

Andrew Crofts played 29 times for Wales and is now part of their coaching team. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“Tuesday night was incredible, a big night for a special group of players and obviously for Craig in his first managerial stint,” said Crofts.

“We put a lot of work into the 30 days over the last three international camps to create an identity for the team. That was probably the main thing that Craig wanted to do.

“The bonus was the results and then topping the league on Tuesday was a special, special night and something to really build on.”

Crofts offered an insight into how Bellamy and his coaching staff have led the transformation in Wales’ fortunes after they failed to qualify for this year’s Euros and had to rebuild without the likes of Gareth Bale.

Andrew Crofts made 125 appearances for Albion across two spells. 📷 by Football Association of Wales.

“Craig was really clear from the first conversations that I had with him to the first day that we met up with the players that we were going to work in a certain way,” added Crofts. “We were going to create an identity. We didn't want to use [a lack of] time as an excuse not to be able to do that.

“Of course, it has its challenges because you only have the squad for a certain period of time. Craig made it very clear that we had to work really efficiently and we had so many meetings to enable the players to be as clear about what we were asking of them, so that when they crossed the white line they were very clear on what we wanted to look like as a team. They bought into it so much.

“They were very clear that they thought this could be an exciting way to play. They have had this incredible spirit for a long time and we’ve mixed the two together. I think there's been a nice blend.

“There's a real buzz about what we can achieve. Personally, representing my country as a player was something that my family and I are proud of. And now to be the assistant manager of your country is an incredible feeling. To work with Craig and the other staff has been really special.

Andrew Crofts is full of praise for head coach Fabian Hurzeler: 'Everyone has brought into what he wants to bring to the club.' 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“I played with Craig and loved his passion and fire for the game, and he's taken that into his coaching. He's learned so much from his playing experiences that you can see that he's really in tune with the players.”

Closer to home, Crofts sees similarities between Bellamy and Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler.

“I’m loving every minute of what we’re doing at the club. For someone so young, Fabian is so mature in the way he carries himself and, again, everyone has bought into exactly what he wants to bring to the football club. I love working with him. He's got this winning mentality that's infectious and the dynamics in the coaching staff have been really good.

“I think what's exciting is we know that there's lots we can improve on, so if we can do that and be as hungry and have the appetite like I know everyone has at this football club we will keep moving forward.

“Everyone knows how much this club means to me. I feel like I'm representing Brighton every time I go away as well with Wales.”