NEW Wales manager Craig Bellamy has appointed ex-Newport County AFC boss James Rowberry and former Exiles captain Andrew Crofts to his coaching team before his first match in charge against Turkey next month.

Newport-born Rowberry started coaching at the age of 21 and became one of the youngest people to complete his UEFA Pro Licence at the age of 29.

He worked at Cardiff City for eight years, initially in the academy setup before becoming a first team coach under several managers including Neil Warnock.

That success led to Rowberry taking charge at Rodney Parade in October 2021 and he enjoyed a positive first season at the helm before a promotion push hit the buffers in final weeks of the campaign.

After a poor start to the 2022-2023 season, Rowberry left his hometown club in October 2022 and was appointed as the FAW’s head of elite coach education in February 2023, combining the role with coaching in the Cymru age group setup.

“Being involved with our national team is something I’ve always wanted to do and to represent my country,” said the 39-year-old.

“I’ve known Craig for a long time, and we share the same ideas on football. Being the link to the player pathway will be a key part of my role and my previous work in that area will allow me to be the natural link as we look to showcase our young talent on the world stage.”

Former Wales international Crofts joined County in June 2018 but struggled with injuries during his one season at the club under his good friend Michael Flynn.

He retired from playing in 2019, becoming a coach in Brighton & Hove Albion’s academy prior to stepping up as under-23s head coach in 2021. In 2022, Crofts was appointed first team coach under Roberto De Zerbi and has recently been appointed assistant head coach at the club.

“I’m very proud,” said the 40-year-old after joining Bellamy’s backroom staff. “As soon as I knew there was an opportunity to be Craig’s assistant it grabbed me straight away. To represent Wales as a player was incredible for me and my family, and to now represent my country as an assistant coach is an indescribable feeling.

“I’m obsessed with coaching, studying various trends in the game and bringing a team’s methodology to life, something which I can’t wait to do with this group of players and staff.”

Speaking about the appointments, Bellamy said: “I’m very happy with the group of staff that we’ve been able to bring in.

“I’ve worked with all of them previously, either as a coach or as a player. As a collective I believe the balance and various expertise between us is the best we could have asked for. The work off camp has been great so far and I can’t wait for us to meet up with the players and get things started with them.”

David Adams, the FAW’s chief football officer, praised the appointments Bellamy has made.

“As we look ahead to the start of the UEFA Nations League campaign, it’s great to have worked with Craig to identify a strong and experienced coaching staff who will compliment Craig’s skill set.

“Each staff member has been educated through the FAW’s Coach Education system which is a credit to what we have developed here in Wales. I look forward to welcoming the staff to our Cymru men’s national team.”