U-TURN BY HOLMES AND EVANS SEES THEM RETURN

09 June 2007

Phil Holmes and Paul Evans have buried the hatchet and returned to Afan Lido as joint-managers. Having only a week earlier walked out on the MacWhirter Welsh League division one club, some soul-searching led to the swift U-turn.

''In the end it was a case of Paul (Evans) and myself not wanting to bring about the possible demise of the club,'' said Holmes, who took over at the Lido helm with Evans midway through last season.

''Players would have got disenchanted - some in all probability would have left - and it would have resulted in a chaotic situation.

''As the club cannot afford to go out and sign high-profile players, it relies on homebred talent and any departures would have hit hard.''

Holmes went on explain that the change of heart had a lot to do with the way their first season in charge at the Marston Stadium worked out.

''We came on leaps and bounds last season and, in the end, it was a case of us not wishing to jeopardise a promising situation.

''Luckily, new managers had not been appointed and, having made a point, we are now going to knuckle to the task of making up lost ground.

''Over the past two seasons Port Talbot Town have overtaken us, but there is sufficient talent in the club for us to once more become a Welsh Premiership club.''

General manager Mark Robinson was delighted that an amicable agreement had been reached,

''In the end it was a case of the boys seeing the bigger picture, as finances have to be channelled into ground developments as well as the team,'' he said.

"In the end they realised it would be foolish for them to walk away, and now we can all get down to the task of winning promotion.''

TONY POOLE

 

OTTEN'S MOVE

06 June 2007

Marc Otten has been appointed manager of Welsh League first division club Pontardawe Town. Experienced defender Otten was with West End last season.

Welsh Premiership newcomers Neath Athletic have made a fourth close-season signings.

Centre-back Mike Jones, who was with Pontypridd last season, has put pen to paper and joins Dale Evans (Croesyceiliog), defender Brian Showdery (Newtown) and striker Andy Hammett (Taffs Well).

BOSSES HOLMES, EVANS STEP DOWN AT LIDO

05 June 2007  

Phil Holmes and Paul Evans have stepped down as joint-managers at MacWhirter Welsh League first division club Afan Lido. The shock announcement came a fortnight after the Seasiders lifted the Shamrock Travel Cup for a first time.

The losing Welsh Cup finalists have followed winners Carmarthen Town in experiencing a change at the top.

Last month Mark Jones was relieved of duties at Richmond Park in favour of Deryn Brace, and now the Cardiff-based former Maesteg Park and Port Talbot Town manager is being linked with Lido.

It was expected that Holmes and Evans would supervise a push next season towards Lido winning back Welsh Premiership status at the third attempt.

Evans had been linked with the club for 16 years, while Holmes returned to the Marston Stadium five years ago, following spells with Goytre United, Skewen and Port Talbot Town.

''Things happened last week that made it unrealistic for either Paul Evans or myself to continue at the club,'' said Holmes.

''Ironically, the team were only a couple of players short of making a promotion push next season and, with that in mind, decisions made were disappointing.''

Lido team manager Mark Robinson, who appointed Holmes and Evans to his former role midway through last season, is hoping to make a swift appointment.

''We are still coming to terms with the surprise move but, hopefully, a new manager will be appointed within a week,'' said Robinson.

''What Phil and Paul achieved at the club last year was appreciated, and we were obviously disappointed to lose them.

''However, our main priority now surrounds the players, and hopefully uncertainty will be thwarted by the early appointment of a manager.''

TONY POOLE