Dan Richards takes the reins at The Riverside!

Dan Richards has been appointed as the new first-team manager at Ardal North East club Penycae.

He replaces Lee Pope, who recently stepped down due to work commitments.

Richards moves to The Riverside following a two-and-a-half year spell at tier four club Cefn Mawr Rangers.

Dan is a highly-rated, young and ambitious manager who has done a fantastic job at Cefn Mawr as well as having spells at Cefn Druids and Bala Town.

Richards will take his first training session tomorrow evening and will be in the dugout for Saturday’s Lock Stock Ardal North East fixture against Machynlleth at The Riverside.

Following his appointment, Dan said: “I am really excited to meet up with the players and other members of the club this week, this is an exciting challenge, which I’m really looking forward to.

“Thank you to the chairman, Colin and the board of directors for giving me the opportunity to join Penycae and placing their trust in me to take the club forward.”

Following Dan to The Riverside will be Eddie Lancaster, who has been appointed joint assistant-manager alongside Matt Griffiths, who remains an integral part of the set-up

Matty wins his toughest battle

Penycae Football Club were delighted last week when news broke that first-team coach Matt Griffiths has been given the all-clear and has won his battle with testicular cancer.

The club said: “Matty has been a big part of our football club for many years having played in the youth and senior teams and also as a coach again with both youth and senior sides and we couldn’t be any prouder of the strength and courage he’s shown during these very tough times and are overjoyed that he has come through the other side and is now officially cancer free!”

Grassroots North Wales wishes Matty all the best for future and pays tribute to his courage and fighting spirit through a very difficult time.