RHYL have announced that Matthew Jones has been appointed first team manager with immediate effect.

The former Lilies’ coach has been part of the backroom staff since 2016 and will take charge for the first time in Saturday’s clash with Porthmadog at the Corbett Sports Stadium (2pm).

Jones said: “I am delighted and extremely proud to have been appointed manager of this fantastic football club.

“Living in Rhyl, and being involved with the club, I've gained a real understanding of what this club means to the town and people within it. There is a huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes by some fantastic people, so to be manager of this is truly special.

“The aim now is for Mark, James, Andy and myself to continue to build and develop on the work that has already been done over the last few months in getting a competitive, organised team with an attractive playing style on the pitch.

“I am extremely excited to continue working with a very talented group of players who have been superb to date.

“I believe that we have an excellent blend and balance within the coaching staff at the club. Between Mark, James, Andy and myself we have formed a really close-knit backroom team, all with different skills to bring to the table. I have worked within coaching for a number a years and believe my strengths are on the field coaching and developing players and team strategy. This is cannot be done alone so the team effort between the four of us is vitally important.”

Mark Connolly will continue as Director of Football at the club and will still be part of the first team management arrangements following his successful interim role, which has seen their fortunes transform since the departure of Niall McGuinness.

This change in structure will allow Connolly to devote more time to pursing coaching qualifications.

“In terms for our aims for the season, when the management team changed earlier in the year our focus was on stability and looking to develop a new playing style that would see the club climb the table,” added Jones.

“We knew that this would take time and a lot of work, and we still envisage a few ups and downs but the players have been fantastic in adapting to this and taking on new information. Our objectives remain the same, we haven't set any specific targets, we just want to continue this development and take each game as it comes.

“It is vitally important that a club of Rhyl stature returns to the Welsh Premier League, however we have to earn that right and there are a lot of clubs in the HGA who want the same thing.

“All I can say is that we will all work tirelessly to achieve this. There is a huge amount of work being done by the management and board to provide us with the tools to achieve this aim so our role, as the management team and playing squad is to put as much effort in a possible to achieve this.”