Assistant manager Wayne Jones is once again left minding the Aberystwyth Town hot-seat after Tony Pennock’s tenure as manager was cut short by an offer to return to Hull City.
Jones temporarily assumed control of first-team affairs last season when a disappointing league campaign saw former manager Matthew Bishop placed on gardening leave.
With the Seasiders facing the prospect of their first ever relegation from the Welsh Premier, Pennock was drafted in to work alongside the former Haverfordwest County boss back in April and the pair immediately clicked, stabilising the side and ensuring safety.
It was a no brainer then when newly-appointed Aberystwyth chairman Donald Kane turned to Tony Pennock last month to become their permanent manger, with the ex-Newport County and Yeovil Town goalkeeper and Wayne Jones being appointed as the club’s management team to move the club forward after a rocky 12-months.
Aber’s plans for the new season took an unexpected twist last week when Pennock was offered back his previous role as first-team coach at Hull.
With the ink still drying on Pennock’s contract at Park Avenue, it is believed that Aberystwyth will have had some sort of settlement from the recently relegated Premier League side, but the club are tasked with once again recruiting a manager to work alongside Wayne Jones.
“When Tony was appointed we were aware that this situation might arise and we promised not to stand in his way should it occur. As a club we have now honoured that promise,” said Kane of Pennock’s exit.
Whilst Tony Pennock’s decision to depart Aberystwyth so soon is entirely acceptable given the offer of a return back into the professional game, Aberystwyth can consider themselves unlucky to have been flung into a spell of uncertainty once again.
Encouragingly, it is still early in the off-season for those Welsh Premier clubs not playing in Europe and the club have time to identify and appoint Pennock’s replacement with the assistance of Wayne Jones.
Wayne Jones is experienced enough to run a steady ship until that time and help advance the rebuilding of the squad for next season. Jones has also recently been readmitted to FAW Trust’s UEFA A Licence course.
Luke Borrelli, Ryan Wollacott, ,Jamie Crowther, Chris Mullock, Malcolm Melvin, Cledan Davies, John Owen and youngsters Jack Rimmer and Dafydd Jones have all been retained by the club for next season. Striker Mark Jones, who arrived on loan from Carmarthen, has decided to drop into the Welsh League with a return to Afan Lido.
Former player Bari Morgan will also return to the club having been appointed as Under-19’s manager.
