Just kicking off the 2024-25 season will be a bonus in itself for popular village club

Regardless of the result when Llandyrnog United visit Kinmel Bay in the Welsh Cup tonight, the game will already represent a triumph for the Vale of Clwyd village club.

The Tier 4 side faced the real possibility of folding recently when they were struggling to appoint a manager for the 2024-25 season.

But Stephen Jones came forward to take on the role and the new-look Dyrny will make their bow in the nation’s premier knockout competition this evening.

Local man Jones has coached in the RAF for the last 10 years with the RAF women’s team, MOD St Athan and RAF Cosford men’s side.

He has previously played for Llandyrnog United.

Jones said: “Thank you to Llandyrnog United for the opportunity to lead this great club.

” I appreciate that the club has not had the easiest of times recently, however now we can look to move forward together as a club.”

Club secretary Chris Pengelly said: “Stephen Jones has done a fantastic job in assembling this team in such a short space of time. Almost everyone had written Llandyrnog United FC off for the season. But he has done a fantastic job.”

And former chairman and manager Jimmy McNally, now in charge of Ruthin Colts added: “Good luck to Stephen Jones and Llandyrnog United. A mere few days ago, people had this football club that I love, disrespected, picked apart and written off, but here they are going into their opening game of the season, against a fantastic Kinmel Bay side, who might I add have been incredibly supportive through these dark few weeks at the football club.

“For me, if Dyrny don’t get a positive scoreline tomorrow, of course there will be a tinge of disappointment, but the real positive is how the club has bounced back so quickly, and fielded a side, ready to kick start the campaign.”

FAW WELSH CUP FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND – FRIDAY, JULY 26
Kinmel Bay v Llandyrnog United – kick-off 7 pm, Y Morfa Leisure Centre ground