As I settled into comfortable chairs at the S7 Gym in Goodwick, with the sound of weights clanking in the background, Chris "Sully" O'Sullivan's eyes lit up ready to discuss his beloved Goodwick United. The transformation of the club into Pembrokeshire's most formidable football force has been remarkable, with their recent achievement of securing a third consecutive Division One title serving as the perfect finale to an extraordinary managerial career.

"Growing up, Goodwick were always known as a strong side, but we never quite fulfilled our potential," Sully reflects on what has become a legendary tenure. "We had some good teams, but not enough trophies to show for it. To have changed that narrative, to have turned this club into the benchmark that others measure themselves against - that’s what fills me with the most pride as I step away from management."

The Glorious Treble and Beyond

Sully's journey with Goodwick began as a player, where he tasted success by winning the West Wales Cup twice. Those triumphs - a 2-1 victory over Morriston Olympic in 2015-16 and a narrow 1-0 win against Penlan Club in 2017-18 - set the targets high for Sully's foray into management.

The 2015-16 season stands as perhaps the most magnificent in the club's history, with Goodwick achieving an unprecedented treble: Division One champions, Senior Cup winners, and West Wales Cup victors. This remarkable feat had never been accomplished before in Pembrokeshire football and remains unmatched to this day.

Fast forward to 2025, and Goodwick have just sealed their third consecutive league title under O'Sullivan's stewardship, which could have been their fourth if not for a controversial points deduction a few years ago. More impressively, the last two championship seasons have been completed without a single defeat, believed to be the first time such dominance has been displayed in the top flight of Pembrokeshire football.

The Ferguson Formula

When I suggest parallels between his management style and that of Sir Alex Ferguson, Sully - a Manchester United supporter - smiled appreciatively throughout his tenure.

"That's high praise indeed. Like Ferguson, I believed in constantly evolving the squad, even when we were winning," he explains. "The moment you think you've cracked it is the moment your rivals catch you up. That's why every season, regardless of our success, I looked at how we could improve, where we might need fresh blood or a different approach."

The evidence of this philosophy can be seen in Goodwick's ever-changing yet consistently successful squad. After winning titles, many managers might be tempted to keep the formula untouched, but Sully continually refreshed his team.

"Building a dynasty isn't about one great season or even one great team," O'Sullivan asserts. "It's about creating a culture of excellence that persists even as personnel changes. That's the real challenge of management."

Finding a Way to Win

Perhaps the most Ferguson-esque quality of Sully's Goodwick was their uncanny ability to snatch victory from the jaws of disappointment. The 2022-23 title was secured in dramatic fashion with Rhys Dalling firing in a memorable winner against rivals Hakin United, effectively starting their current dynasty.

This season's defining moment came in early February, when Goodwick hosted an undefeated Hakin side at Phoenix Park. With four points separating the clubs before kick-off, Goodwick's emphatic 4-1 victory effectively sealed the title. But it was the late winner by Will Haworth in the 94th minute against Tenby earlier in the campaign that truly exemplified Goodwick's championship mentality - a gritty determination to find a way to win when needed.

"The best teams always find a way," O'Sullivan says matter-of-factly. "You can't always play beautiful football, especially on some of the pitches we encounter in Pembrokeshire. Every game is its own challenge and even when you look at the teams in the bottom half of our division like Carew and St Ishmaels, they have shown they can compete with the best on their day. Sometimes it's about digging deep, staying disciplined, and believing that if you keep doing the right things, a chance will come. That's what we've instilled here - that unwavering belief and concentration until the final whistle."

The Talent Magnet

O'Sullivan's reputation turned Goodwick into a talent magnet, attracting players from across Pembrokeshire and beyond. The squad boasted talent from "below the bridge", including past players like Ben Adams, Dan James, and Kyle Marsh. They drew players from Carmarthenshire like James Bryan, from Ceredigion like Rhys Jones, and even former Haverfordwest County stalwarts such as the experienced Sean Pemberton.

Perhaps most impressively, O'Sullivan developed a knack for identifying untapped potential in players who weren't necessarily stars elsewhere. Jake Smith, once a utility player at Merlins Bridge, was transformed into arguably the league's finest box-to-box midfielder - evidenced by his clean sweep of Players' Player, Manager's Player, and Supporters' Player of the Season awards.

"My greatest satisfaction came from helping players reach levels they didn't think possible," O'Sullivan explains, leaning forward with enthusiasm. "We spent a lot of time just watching players - not just in matches but in training, in warm-ups. You notice little things that you can use to mould a player to how you want."

"Then it was about working with them individually, creating specific training scenarios, and sometimes just having honest conversations. Everyone has strengths; my job was to build systems that maximised those strengths while protecting against weaknesses."

Never Standing Still

This season presented fresh challenges with the departures of key players - Kyle Marsh returned to Kilgetty while Dan James and Ben Adams moved to Pennar Robins. Rather than lamenting these losses, Sully characteristically viewed them as opportunities to strengthen.

In came Nick Jones, a goalkeeper from Carmarthen Town, to replace Marsh. Matty Delaney returned to the club from Llanelli Town, Sean Pemberton stepped up his involvement in defence, Jonny Horgan featured more prominently in attack, and young talent Kieran Blundell arrived following an outstanding season with Johnston in Division 2.

"You can never rest on your laurels in football," O'Sullivan insists. "The moment you start looking backwards with satisfaction instead of forwards with hunger is the moment your success begins to wane. We've lost good players over the years, but we've always swiftly replaced them and found ways to improve. That's the challenge that kept me motivated—how do we get even better when we're already winning?"

The Team Behind the Team

Sully was always quick to share credit for Goodwick's success with his coaching staff. Assistant manager Nigel Delaney brought valuable experience, while the likes of Lee Morgan, Kieran O’Brien, Chris Morris and Darren John made significant contributions over the years.

"Football management isn't a one-man show," Sully acknowledges. "Nigel has been absolutely vital with his experience and his ability to see things from a different perspective than me. Lee and the others - they all bring something unique to the table."

"We challenge each other, we debate, and sometimes we disagree. But that's healthy. The day everyone agrees with everything I say is the day I should worry! Having that team around me who are just as passionate and committed as I am - that's been crucial to what we've achieved."

The Goodwick Way

As our conversation draws to a close, O'Sullivan's passion for Goodwick United remains palpable. The club's transformation from perennial contenders to the dominant force in Pembrokeshire football reflects not just his tactical acumen but his ability to create a winning culture.

His management style - disciplined, demanding, but always fair - became known as "The Goodwick Way." Players knew that to wear the Goodwick shirt, they must train hard, maintain peak fitness, and commit fully to the cause. There were no shortcuts, no compromises.

"It's simple really," O'Sullivan concludes with characteristic directness. "You get out what you put in. That's true in football, in fitness, in life. We've set a standard at this club that requires commitment, discipline, and hard work. But the rewards - the trophies, the unbeaten seasons, the memories we've created - they make it all worthwhile."

Passing the Torch

With O'Sullivan's decision to step down from management, Goodwick United faces a new chapter. However, the foundation he has built appears solid, with assistant manager Nigel Delaney set to take the reins alongside Niall Kinsella and Matthew Fox forming the new management team.

"I've made sure the club is in safe hands," O'Sullivan reflects on the transition. "Nigel has years of experience at the club and has been a key part of our success, so I know he'll carry that on. Niall brings his own qualities and has proved his credentials in winning Division Three with our seconds team, and 'Foxy' will bring experience and knowledge from his time at Clarbeston Road where he won the Senior Cup too."

"But we know these things can't be taken for granted - success is earned. It's important we keep up the same values, the same hard work ethic, and not rest on our laurels. The standards we've set here won't maintain themselves."

As Hakin United and other challengers prepare for another assault on Goodwick's crown next season, they'll face a club transformed by O'Sullivan's vision but determined to continue the dynasty he created. For now, though, there's another league title to celebrate - a remarkable third in succession and a fitting tribute to a manager who truly made Goodwick United the pride of Pembrokeshire football.

The upcoming Jubilee Cup (Pembrokeshire's equivalent to the Community Shield) encounter with rivals Hakin United at Marble Hall will provide the first glimpse of the post-O'Sullivan era, but his legacy - built on unwavering standards, tactical intelligence, and an uncompromising pursuit of excellence - will endure long after the final whistle of his managerial career.

Take a look at some of our favourite photos from Chris O'Sullivan's time at Goodwick United...

Credit: MW10 Sports Photography and AJB Sporting Pics

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