Mathew Bishop steps aside at Aberystwyth Town

Aberystwyth Town confirmed today that on their official website and Twitter that manager Mathew Bishop has stepped down as manager of the Black and Greens, but will remain in a role at the club.

Current assistant manager Wayne Jones has been announced as the club’s new manager for the rest of the season as they sit just one point above the relegation zone.

.In a statement on the club’s official website, chairman Tony Bates said:

”Season 2016/17 has proved to be extraordinarily difficult for the club with much of the Board’s focus attributed to completion of the 3G pitch together with the difficulties created by the damage caused to the floodlights, which in turn have created several knock-on effects for the First Team, including of course the need to play the first eleven games away from home. When the management team of Matthew Bishop and Wayne Jones was approached at the start of the Season the Board’s instruction was to create a virtually brand new team and to avoid relegation”.

“By Christmas thanks to further cash injection from the Club, the team seemed to be on course not only to avoid relegation but to achieve the coveted top six position. Unfortunately, since that time the team’s performance has often been below par and as most of the team’s problems have been laid at Matthew’s feet it is unsurprising that he feels acute disappointment at the team’s apparent ability to commit football suicide.

This was exemplified by their performance on Saturday against Airbus when for the first 35 minutes the team dominated the game, was 2-0 up and could have scored at least four goals, but then proceeded to lose its way by a number of individual errors which in turn appeared to demoralize the whole team with the inevitable result.”  

“I personally remain firmly of the view that Matthew can play an important role in the future development of the Club but on balance I and the Board consider that allowing his excellent Assistant Wayne Jones to run the team over the forthcoming games will demonstrate to players, fans and sponsors the Club’s determination to avoid relegation: once that is achieved we can regroup and put the lessons learned this season to good effect in the next”.

The move will be seen as an attempt to save Aberystwyth’s season and protect their proud record as one of only three clubs to have remained in the Welsh Premier League since its inception.

Wayne Jones will take charge of Aberystwyth for the first time on Saturday facing Cefn Druids at Park Avenue for 2:30pm.

Photo Credit: Aberystwyth Town FC