Kevin Richards, one of the most successful managers in Ton Pentre Football Club’s history, is back at Ynys Park.
He has taken charge of the Rhondda Bulldogs and his first match is the Welsh League clash with Briton Ferry Llansawel on Saturday.
The 51-year-old Richards led Ton to five Welsh League Division One titles and they also lifted the Welsh League Cup in 1998-99 and 2000-01.
He resigned as Ton Pentre manager in 2009 after more than a decade in the job.
Midfield man Richards played in Europe for Ton Pentre and Inter Cardiff, playing in the Uefa InterToto Cup for the Bulldogs and against Celtic in the Uefa Cup for Inter.
He has been appointed Ton manager for a second spell after former Cardiff City player Lee Phillips left the club following a disappointing start to the season.
The Rhondda club have failed to earn a win in seven Welsh League matches and lie second from bottom on three points.
Assistant Manager Steve Williams and senior player Adam Lewis took temporary charge of the Ton Pentre team before Richards was appointed.
His priority will be to lead a League revival, but Ton are also through to the JD Welsh Cup second round and have been drawn at home against Panteg.
Josh Toomey and Tom Randall, who headed an 89th minute winner, scored their goals against South Wales Alliance League Dracs, who had gone ahead when Liam Williams converted a sixth minute penalty.
Layton Maxwell, an ex-Wales under-21 international and Cardiff City midfield player, is Draconians’ manager. He led his team to successive promotions from the South Wales Alliance League (SWAL) Second and First Divisions, winning a League title and Cup double last season.
They defeated Canton Liberal 8-1 and Tredegar Town 5-1 in the Welsh Cup before going out against Ton Pentre at Dracs’ Llanidloes Road ground in Gabalfa.
“When I came in 18 months or so ago we were in the bottom league of the Alliance and it was tough,” said Maxwell. “There are only three or four from the original squad. I’ve had to bring players in and there’s no doubt we have the basis of a squad for the Welsh League.
“I have good young talent mixed with some seasoned pros who’ve played at that level, and we’re a close-knit group.
“Our captain, Liam Williams, was successful with Taffs Well for many years, we’re lucky to have him here.”
Two Rhondda Derby matches, Ton Pentre v Cambrian & Clydach Vale, have both been moved to Friday night kick-offs.
The matches will now be played at Cambrian on Friday, October 20 (7.15pm) and at Ynys Park on Friday, February 2 (7.30pm).
