ABERYSTWYTH TOWN have recruited Haverfordwest County manager Wayne Jones as their new boss, after the departure of Ian Hughes at the end of the campaign.
A source close to Carmarthen Town had informed The Herald that Jones was a target for the Old Gold in light of the uncertain future of their manager Mark Aizlewood, but it is the Aber hierarchy who have moved first to snap up the in demand coach.
Jones, aged 36, joins the club after a mixed spell at the Bridge Meadow where he has been carrying out the role of First Team Manager for the past three years.
In this role he inspired the club to promotion from the Welsh League into the Welsh Premier League last May and he oversaw the development of a number of talented young players into impressive WPL prospects.
However his side failed to maintain their place in the country’s top flight, getting relegated at the first attempt as his young side proved to be naïve and at times looked ill-prepared as they faced up to superior opponents.
Previously manager at Newcastle Emlyn before joining the coaching staff at the Bridge Meadow, Wayne worked as assistant manager with Derek Brazil and Micky Ellis before being appointed manager in May 2013.
Prior to his Managerial Career Carmarthen based Jones had an impressive career as a WPL Player, making 295 appearances and scoring 11 goals between 1996 and 2008 for both Haverfordwest and Carmarthen as a combative left back.
He has big shoes to fill at Park Avenue as inspirational out-going coach Hughes oversaw a renaissance period in the club’s history with the fans enjoying an attacking brand of football that Hughes encouraged, with Black and Green supporters being treated to 140 goals in two seasons.
This success led to a 37% increase in attendances at Park Avenue, ensuring Aber are now the second best supported side in the WPL in all competitions, with an average gate of 458.
Sources close to Park Avenue say that Jones could be assisted as head coach by locally-based ex-Port Talbot first-team coach Matthew Bishop, a former Newport County and Aldershot Town assistant manager who has recently been assistant manager of Hereford FC.
Bishop, who is a Uefa Pro A licence holder, is currently a national coach educator with the Football Association and has also coached the England Under-20 team.
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