Good luck to new CPD Pwllheli manager – hometown boy Carl Jones

CPD Pwllheli need no introduction to their new manager.

He is Carl Jones, who has been with the club for the past three seasons and replaces Martyn Smith as first team boss.

An attacking player, primarily on the left wing, Jones rejoined Pwllheli from Nefyn United at the start of 2022-23 and in his latest spell at The Rec has netted 43 goals in 73 appearances.

In his first season back at Pwll, he scored 24 times and notched 15 last term.

A former pupil of Ysgol Glan Y Mor in Pwllheli. Jones signed professional terms for Cardiff City via the Bangor City academy in 2004.

He played for Cardiff reserves and starred for Wales Under 16s during the 2004-05 season. Carl re-signed for Bangor City in March 2006

The Llŷn Peninsula wizard debuted for the Citizens as a substitute for Carl Lamb in a 1-0 Welsh Premier League defeat at Aberystwyth Town on March 18, 2006.

The left-winger made his full debut for Bangor in a 2-1 home victory against Cefn Druids three days later.

His only City league goal came in a 1-1 draw at Haverfordwest on April 15, 2006.

Carl featured in the Bangor team which lost 2-0 to Rhyl in the 2005/06 Welsh Cup Final at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham.

Over two seasons at Farrar Road, he made eight Welsh Premier starts and 12 appearances in all, netting the one goal. He next played top flight football for Porthmadog.

Jones later joined Pwllheli prior to signing for Nefyn United, where he was joint player-manager. He returned to Pwllheli in 2022.

The 35-year-old is also an ex-Wales international at U-17, 19 and 21 levels, having played alongside the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Chris Gunther.

A natural leader on and off the pitch. Carl brings with him a wealth of football knowledge and experience to Pwllheli.

Commenting on the appointment, CPD Pwllheli said “We are extremely excited with Carl’s appointment.
“His ethos of developing young local talent alongside the established older players is everything we as a club strive to achieve. We wish Carl the best for this season and beyond.”

Carl said: “I’m delighted to be appointed first team manager of my boyhood club and I’m looking forward to sharing my ideas and philosophy with the team this week.

“For now, my aim is to help the team climb the table and challenge in the league.

“I will be working with a great backroom team to develop an environment that gets the best out of the players on and off the pitch.”