Gresford Athletic announce host of departures – including the first-team manager
Gresford Athletic have announced sweeping changes which include the departure of first-team manager Eddie Maurice-Jones.
Several management and committee members are moving on as the JD Cymru North club veers in a new and different direction.
Manager Maurice-Jones has resigned after a five-season stint with the Wrexham club – his second spell as Athletic boss.
After a serious knee injury ended a promising playing career, Maurice-Jones turned to management, becoming Gresford chief in 2014.
His impact was sensational. In his first season at the helm, he guided Gresford to the tier-three Welsh National League Premier Division title and League Cup double.
The Colliers were promoted to the Cymru Alliance and finished a creditable sixth in their first season back at tier two level after a five-year absence.
In November 2016, Eddie was appointed manager of Denbigh Town, where he turned the club around from a bottom three to a mid-table outfit, achieving a 10th place finish in the Huws Gray Alliance.
The following season, Denbigh finished in a best-ever second position, defying all expectations.
Eddie was now in demand and became director of football at Rhyl FC for the 2018/19 campaign, the Lilywhites finishing fifth in the Cymru Alliance.
In 2019/20, Rhyl ended up in ninth place, but the club dissolved and Eddie opted to not apply for the manager’s position at the new phoenix club CPD Y Rhyl 1879, instead deciding to return to Gresford for the 2020/21 Cymru North campaign.
That season was cancelled due to Covid, but in the past four campaigns with the Colliers, Eddie has led Athletic 11th place twice and 10th on two occasions in the Tier 2 league.
The current campaign has not been going too well with Gresford lying third bottom and without a win in their last six matches.
Gresford Athletic released the following statement today:
Club Statement: Management & Committee resignations due to non footballing reasons.
Gresford Football Club wishes to formally announce a number of resignations from the committee and first-team staff, effective immediately.
The club is moving in a new and different direction under the stewardship of the current Executive committee, and as a result, the following individuals will be stepping away from their roles to allow this committee to implement their plan:
Departing Committee Members
Pete Goddard (Chairman/Treasurer)
Sam Spridgeon (Committee Member/Fundraiser)
Departing First-Team Staff
Eddie Maurice-Jones (1st Team Manager)
Dan Richards (1st Team Assistant Manager)
Levi Chaloner (Fitness Coach)
Steve Jones (1st Team Goalkeeper Coach)
The departing members shared the following sentiment:
“We have thoroughly enjoyed our time at the club and are proud of the contributions we have made. We wish Gresford all the best for the future and success in the new chapter ahead.”
The club added: “Gresford FC wishes to place on record its sincere gratitude to Pete, Sam, Eddie, Dan, Levi and Steve for their hard work, commitment, and dedication to the club during their respective tenures. Their efforts, both on and off the field, have been invaluable.
“We look forward to updating our supporters further on the appointments for the new committee and first-team staff in due course.”