Although injury cut his promising playing career criminally short, Eddie Maurice-Jones has remained a key figure in North Wales football through his excellent management skills.
Today the Gresford Athletic boss celebrates his 32nd birthday, having been born in St Asaph on February 20, 1989.
He was brought up in Rossett, Wrexham, and began playing regular football at the age of six. Turning out for Penyffordd and Pulford junior sides, he was soon signed up by the Wrexham School of Excellence.
Aged 11, he was recruited by the Liverpool FC Academy and spent three years with the club.
He also represented Wales in his schoolboy years.
After a break from football, he began playing regularly again in his late teens for Gresford and Brymbo.
In 2009/10 Eddie signed for Caersws and made three Welsh Premier League appearances for the club.
He then moved to Denbigh Town, where his talents truly shone before a serious knee injury ended his playing days.
Eddie turned his hand to management, and on the back of two successful seasons in Sunday football took over as Gresford Athletic boss in 2014.
His first season in charge at Clappers Lane produced a fantastic Welsh National League Premier Division title victory.
In 2015/16, Eddie led Gresford in the Huws Gray Alliance, the team finishing a more than respectable sixth.
November 2016 saw Eddie become manager of Denbigh Town. At the end of 2016/17 Town were in 10th place.
The 2017/18 season was a magnificent one for Denbigh as they finished a best-ever runners-up in the Huws Gray Alliance under EMJ’s leadership.
On May 25, 2018, Eddie was confirmed as director of football at Rhyl FC.
In the 2018/19 campaign, the Lilywhites finished fifth in the Cymru Alliance.
The next season, Rhyl ended up in ninth place, but the club dissolved and Eddie opted to not apply for the manager’s position at the new phoenix club CPD Y Rhyl 1879, instead deciding to return to Gresford for the 2020/21 Cymru North campaign.
Sadly, the season is yet to start due to coronavirus, but it is hoped things will finally get underway in the tier two league next month.
All the best Eddie – have a great birthday.
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