Aberystwyth Town are believed to be closing in on their next managerial appointment and an announcement could be made this week according to sources.
The club have been without a manager since Tony Pennock left his post just a month after being appointed as manager.
After initially being drafted in towards the end of last season to help the club successfully battle relegation, Pennock was formally appointed as first-team manager in May but was forced to perform a U-turn when he was offered a first-team coaching role at former club Hull City.
Assistant boss Wayne Jones has once again been handed the reigns during the interim as Aberystwyth look to rebuild their squad after last season’s disappointing campaign.
Jones has overseen the arrival of four new players whilst retaining the core of last season’s squad.
Cardiff City youth goalkeeper Scott Coughlan, Airbus defender Johnny Spittle, defender James Etherington and striker Joe Phillips have all signed on at Park Avenue.
Aberystwyth have spoken to several possible candidates about the managerial vacancy with former manager Ian Hughes believed to be amongst those to have had dialogue with the club.
Aberystwyth play their first pre-season fixture at home to Llanelli this Saturday.
BANGOR CITY MAKE DOUBLE SIGNING
Bangor City continue to re-strengthen their squad ahead of the coming campaign with the arrival of former TNS defender Danny Holmes and 18-year-old striker George Harry.
Holmes returns to the WPL after leaving Conference North side York City whilst Harry arrives from Wrexham.
“George has been training with us in recent weeks and scored in the friendly against the Anglesey Select XI.
“His attitude and his willingness to learn and develop is excellent. Potentially he will be a big threat in front of goal this season. We’re pleased to finally be able to get this deal over the line,” said assistant manager Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
Holmes, 28, is expected to be a direct replacement for right-back Gary Roberts, who departed the club under a cloud last week with Bangor confirming the skipper’s exit via a strongly worded statement.
Prior to last week’s second leg defeat against Lyngby, City revealed that Roberts was dismissed for gross misconduct following “numerous incidents of unprofessional behaviour” and that Stockport County’s interest in the player had “caused a disruption to the player’s attitude towards the club.”
Bangor’s statement went on to say:
“We as Bangor City FC will not tolerate any misconduct by anyone involved with the club. It is against what the club stands for, shows a complete lack of respect and commitment to the management, board, his teammates and most importantly, the great fans of this club.
“No-one is bigger than Bangor City FC. It is a great club with a rich history and tradition, and when a player states in the week leading up to a massive European game that he no longer wants to play for the club, we were left with no alternative other than to release him from his contract”.
Roberts has a lengthy history discipline issues and has previously spoken openly about gambling and alcohol problems which have blighted his career. He is now expected to link up with former manager Alan Lewer at Stockport County.
Featured image courtesy of Ian Howells/Aberystwyth Town FC/Welsh Premier League