Rhuddlan Town sign new defender and add to coaching staff

Rhuddlan Town have signed a new player and appointed an assistant-coach.

Centre-back Nathan Jones will add strength to the defence, while Ben Smith becomes part of manager Keiran Evans’ coaching team.

Jones has played for Denbigh Town Reserves and is also a member of Sunday League side the Millbank of Rhyl.

He has two team-mates already at Rhuddlan in fellow new boys Jake Parry and Joel Poh.

Club secretary Wayne Hughes said: “The lads already at the club are delighted to see Nathan join as they regard him highly.

“With losing so many players after winning the last ever Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League we had a very small squad but now with our latest signings we are really looking strong and our manager Keiran Evans is really happy with the squad we have.

“He’s looking forward to getting the lads on the training pitch on Tuesday.”

Current player Ben Smith will be helping manager Evans plan warm-ups before games and help with any training sessions the boss might not be able to attend.

For a young player Ben had operated at a high level before a couple of bad injuries set him back.

He has played for local teams like Glan Conwy in the past and Rhuddlan signed him from Rhos United the season they won the league with Smith playing a major part in that.

Smith said: “I was youth player for Oldham Athletic, and since turning to the men’s game I’ve played for Abergele and Glan Conwy before leaving for university. Since returning i played half a season with Rhos United before I moved across to Rhuddlan at the beginning of last season.

“In terms of coaching the initial aim is to assist Keiran off the pitch as well as on the pitch as a player, whether that be on the training ground or on match days.

“I’m also hoping that this role will help me to develop my understanding whilst I start getting to work on my coaching badges, but hopefully in the long run we can start building a foundation to get Rhuddlan where we aspire to be.

“With all the work that’s going on behind the scenes it’s now time to build towards taking that next step on the pitch.”