Disney's Euro adventures - with Ramsey support

John Disney succeeded Billy Paynter as Connah's Quay Nomads boss [FAW/Nik Mesney] The summer of 2016 holds fond football memories for both Aaron Ramsey and John Disney. Ramsey was a member of the first Wales squad to play in a major finals for 58 years, memorably reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France. Back in Wales, Disney featured in Connah's Quay Nomads' debut in European competition. Now, 10 years, on both men - having been on the same Football Association of Wales (FAW) Pro Licence course - are embarking on managerial careers. Disney, 33, is preparing for his second season as Nomads manager and the upcoming Uefa Conference League campaign, while Ramsey was recently appointed Oxford United head coach. "It's been a busy summer from a managerial and coaching perspective," Disney said. "We have got a close WhatsApp group and we're all there to support each other. "If it's Aaron or if it's myself, one thing's for sure that there's no ego there and everyone's there to help and support each other." TNS to face Sabah as Welsh sides learn Euro fate Disney's gratitude to former boss Morrison Disney and Sugarman win manager awards Willy Caballero, linked with a return to Manchester City as part of new manager Enzo Maresca's coaching staff, has also been on the course. Other prominent names include former Chelsea and France winger Florent Malouda, ex-Leeds United and England midfielder Lee Bowyer, and former United States player Michael Bradley - son of ex-USA and Swansea boss Bob Bradley. "You go on those courses and you share your experiences and you quickly realise you're not alone," Disney told BBC Sport Wales. "There's some players or some coaches that are working at the very top level. "There's loads of really good people on it. I'm fortunate that I've managed to go through the FAW coaching pathway, which is a fantastic pathway. "They've obviously brought through [Arsenal boss Mikel] Arteta, who's this year won the Premier League. "I've learned loads and I'm going to continue to learn loads, but also learning loads from the people that you're with. "I think the main point is that no matter if you're at Connah's Quay or you're at Manchester City, I think a lot of people are going through exactly the same things." John Disney was Connah's Quay captain the last time they played in the Uefa Conference League in 2024 against FK Bravo of Slovenia [FAW/Nik Mesney] A familiar face on the Pro Licence course has been Michael Wilde, now manager of fellow Cymru Premier side Colwyn Bay, and a former Nomads team-mate of Disney's. Both were part of the team which won the Cymru Premier Play-off final in May 2016 to secure a place in the Europa League qualifiers and a tie against Stabaek of Norway. "It was the first time the club were in Europe, so it was always just something new to us," recalled Disney. "I remember playing the first game at Rhyl on a really good occasion. "We managed to keep it to quite a boring 0-0 then we went over to Norway and we thought we'd be in the game where we possibly could. "The first five or ten minutes, we got absolutely battered and I remember looking around at a few players and going 'this is going to be a tough night'. "We managed to get a goal from a set play. Callum Morris scored and they got a player sent-off. "We managed to hold on and keep another clean sheet, it was an amazing performance from the players. "Ten years has flown by and it's gone really fast and the club have seen lots of success. "For me, it all stems from that play-off victory and those European nights." Disney won back-to-back Cymru Premier titles and two Welsh Cup winners medals as a player with Nomads. Appointed manager of the Flintshire club in May 2025, he claimed runners-up spot in the league last season to secure European football for the ninth time. And when his side face Kosovan side FC Ballkani in a first qualifying round first leg tie at Colwyn Bay's Blue Turtle Arena next Wednesday, Disney will become one of a select few who have played and managed the same club in Europe. "I'm not sure how many people have done that, especially in the Welsh system," Disney said. "It's just a proud moment for me to be able to do that as well with my brother Jack, who's on my coaching staff. "I'm really excited and I'm really grateful for the opportunity the club's given me as a player. "The owner and the chairman have backed me to do my coaching badges through the football club and it's culminated in me getting the first-team manager's job and in the first season obviously qualifying for Europe. "But I guess on the other side of the touchline you quickly realise how much more you have to do away from just in the dressing room before the game and at half-time and on the training ground. "Becoming a manager, you don't realise until you do it how much strain it puts on yourself, how much strain it puts on your family and on your home life. "But we all do it because we love football. We love the opportunity to try and compete and try and become the best versions of ourselves."