Micky's Pembrokeshire
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PHOTOS:
Above, Wayne Jones (fourth left) with the rest of the Haverfordwest County. management team.
Below, Wayne Jones at the Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Wayne captains a team in the Bluebirds' Golf Day.
Wayne’s hoping to bring back the smiles for the Bluebirds’ fans
Haverfordwest County’s excellent start to the season with their friendly match successes has brought a smile to everyone at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium – but none more so than Wayne Jones, the assistant manager.
Known to all as ‘Wolvesey’ because of his family’s allegiance to Wolverhampton Wanderers, he was a popular player there a few seasons ago and returned to help out Derek Brazil at the end of last campaign, which saw the Bluebirds lose those games and get relegated.
New partnership – and coaching success
In a fresh start for the ches for Carmarthen Town and these included a Welsh Cup Final against Cable Tel (also known as Inter Cardiff) where they drew but lost out on penalties, and in European competition against AIK Stockholm in Sweden. That match was played in front of a 9,000 crowd at the Resaundai Stadium and although they lost 4-0 it was a great experience to be part of.
lub in the 2011/12 campaign he has linked forces with Micky Ellis, who has vast experience at the club, and their newly-formed young team has beaten Risca and Port Talbot, a particularly impressive 4-1 win, and held a talented young Cardiff City side to a 1-1 draw. Wayne has been working really well with the players and there is no doubt that he has helped them achieve new levels of fitness as they train hard twice a week.
On a personal note, Wayne has also been delighted to achieve success in passing his European ‘B’ Licence after a highly intensive week-long course at the Village Hotel, outside Cardiff.
“The practical part of the course,” said Wayne “was organised under the auspices of the FAW Trust, and held at Treforest, with technical director Osian Roberts assisted by the likes of Terry Boyle, Gareth Hughes and Meirion Appleton. There were several former pro players on the course and I learned a great deal which I aim to put to good use at Haverfordwest County.”
Football as first love
We asked Wayne about his start in football and he told us,
“Football was always my first love and I started out with Carmarthen Town Juniors and had trials with Bristol City. I was captain of the team throughout the youth set-up in Carmarthen and played my first game for the first team when John Mahoney was manager, playing as left wing-back against Ebbw Vale.”
It was at this time that he picked up his nick-name because his dad Malcolm was an avid Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter and so Wayne followed on with that support – and still acts as chauffeur for matches to Molyneux at least five or six times a season.
Wayne played over 130 matc
European experience
From there it was a short trek to play for Haverfordwest County when Deryn Brace was manager and Wayne enjoyed it.
“We just escaped relegation in the first season but had some good years where we finished high up in the table – and I played for the Bluebirds when we travelled to Iceland for our European venture there. It was great to be part of the club and I was made very welcome by the supporters, as I have been now!”
Further travels
Wayne’s travels eventually took him to Newcastle Emlyn where he had ten games as a player under Matthew Price in Division Two of the Welsh League, and eventually took over the reins until he moved back to Haverfordwest County as assistant manager to Micky Ellis. He has seen huge changes in personnel for this campaign but is undaunted by that fact.
“Micky Ellis and I have been delighted by the approach of youngsters we have brought in and their skill levels and commitment are very high. We have been very lucky to enjoy the full support of club chairman Rob Summons and commercial director David Hughes – and second team trainers Derek Roberts and Jonathan George, plus youth team boss Steve Batty, are also great to work with.”
Wayne’s other off-field involvement is with his family because he would say that he gets every support from his partner Melanie and children (Jordan (17) and Jessie (10)!
And finally . . .
Ask Wayne about a forecast for this season in the first division of the Welsh League and he is forthright:
“We are very hopeful for success but it must be from a firm foundation as our younger players gain in experience, and it might take more than one season. What I can guarantee is that the management team is all fully committed and we expect nothing less from every player in our squad.”
His solid, down to earth, but very enthusiastic view sounds a positive note and it is clear that Haverfordwest County is in good hands with the likes of Wayne ‘Wolvesey’ Jones about!
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