Llangefni Town’s change of manager has proved a very smooth transition
Llangefni Town’s new manager Sion Eifion Jones will embark on his second game in charge at Menai Bridge Tigers tonight.
It will be a good test for Jones’ side against a team promoted to tier 3 Ardal North West this season from the North Wales Coast West Premier Division.
Jones joined Cefni as joint-manager to James Saxon on June 20 after a successful spell as boss of Nantlle Vale.
He came in as co-manager initially to help Saxon, who was finding it difficult to commit 100% due to family and work commitments.
Saxon felt that what Jones had shown in his first month as joint-manager made his decision easier to step down fully, and it was right to make that decision now rather than mid-season.
The transition from one manager to the other has worked really well for the club.
Sion Eifion first made an impact as manager of Porthmadog Reserves during 2018-19.
The team won the Welsh Alliance League Reserves Division by 11 points, going unbeaten through all 26 games, winning 24, drawing two and amassing 126 goals.
They also lifted the Reserves Division Lock Stock Fireworks Challenge Cup, defeating Colwyn Bay 2-1 in the final.
Jones did such a fine job, he replaced the departing Craig Papirnyk as Port first team manager at the start of 2019-20.
Unfortunately, things did not go quite as well as hoped in the tier-two Cymru North and he stepped down in November 2019.
Jones then took over at Nantlle Vale, who he established as one of the top sides in tier 3.
Llangefni’s new management team is now:
Sion Eifion Jones – manager
Gav Edwards – assistant-manager
Craig Thomas – GK Coach
Jason Tommo – first team coach
Sion Goch – physio
Departing manager Saxon gave out this statement on the club’s social media: “It hasn’t been an easy decision having been involved with the club since I was 11 years old – played junior and senior level, club captain for 8 years, and managed my hometown club for 2 years !
“I feel now is the right time to step aside and let someone else have the opportunity to manage this fantastic club.
“I have no doubt that Sion Eifion is the right person/manager to take this team to the next level, especially with what I’ve seen over the last 2-3 weeks.
“I would like to thank my coaching staff Gerry, Tommo, Mike Innes, Tim Cavanagh and Siôn Goch for your hard work and dedication.
“For the players that’s been with me since the beginning, I just want to say a massive thank you for believing in me when I took the job. And for the new players, I want to wish you all the best for the coming season.. I will be in most games as a fan from now on!”