ABERYSTWYTH TOWN have announced the appointment of Matthew Bishop as First Team Manager of the Club, two weeks after capturing Wayne Jones from Haverfordwest as their new boss. Jones will now take up the role of Assistant Manager.
Penrhyncoch-based Matthew, or ‘Bish’ as he is fondly known, has just completed a memorable season as Assistant Manager at Hereford FC which concluded with a Wembley FA Vase Final last Sunday.
The Bulls had already won the Midland Football League Premier Division, League Cup and Herefordshire Challenge Cup in a remarkable first season for the Club.
Bishop previously Coached Newport County to promotion into the Blue Square Premier in 2009/10 with a record points total, and has also worked with Aldershot Town, Wales Under 16s, 17s and England Under 20s sides. Matthew is currently employed by the FA in England as a Senior National Coach Developer and of course holds the prerequisite Pro Licence Certificate.
42 year old Bishop played eight games for the Black and Greens in their first two WPL seasons (1992- 4) before moving to Bangor City, Conwy United and Rhayder, making a total of 61 WPL appearances, scoring once.
Club Chairman Tony Bates said: “We are delighted to have secured Matthew’s services, and when you look at his Coaching CV it must be a coup for Aberystwyth Town FC to have him on board. Having a locally based Manager was important to the Club for a number of reasons as we look forward to the 3G era and given his experience and track record of success Matthew fitted the bill perfectly.”
“I know Matthew is very keen to hit the ground running as the window for signing players opens on June 9. I am also extremely confident that ‘Bish’ will work well with our new Assistant Manager Wayne Jones.
“At this point I would also like to thank most sincerely our previous management team of Ian Hughes and Wyn Thomas and wish them both every success in their future footballing careers: they will both always receive a warm welcome at Park Avenue.”
In a statement on the Hereford FC website, manager Pete Beadle paid tribute to the work Bishop has put in during the last season.
“Bish has played a massive part in what we have achieved this season. He has been a great assistant manager, and a friend to myself and the players.
“I know he will always have a place in his heart for Hereford and will continue to keep an eye on our results and progress.
“This was an incredibly tough decision for him, but the demands of his full time job at the FA, that in itself includes a lot of time away from his family, and the increased travelling distances involved during next season’s campaign have meant that he has no choice.
“He quite rightly has to put his family first, and we fully understand and respect his decision.
“I’m sure you will all join me in thanking Matt for his hard work and dedication, and in wishing him the very best of luck in the future in whatever he chooses to do.”
The Seasiders recently appointed Haverfordwest County boss Wayne Jones as their new manager to succeed Ian Hughes, with speculation that ex-Port Talbot and Aldershot coach Bishop, who lives in the town, would be recruited as head coach.
Before the FA Vase Final on Sunday (May 22) Bishop commented on the speculation that he would be recruited as head coach, saying:
“It’s been ongoing for the last few weeks, but my focus at the minute is on winning on Sunday and we will see what happens next year.
“Everyone is aware that I’m full-time with English FA and there have been occasions this season where I’ve had to miss one or two games, which is tough and has been tough on Peter (Beadle). But I have quite a responsible job, with a lot of travelling.
“The important thing though is to get through the end of this season and sitting down with everyone to see where we go.”
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