Ynyshir Albions appoint Nathaniel MG Cup runner-up as manager
Ynyshir Albions have appointed senior player Dane Williams as their new first-team manager.
He will take over from Craig Hopkins who has managed the Buns for the majority of the Ardal Leagues season.
The 37-year-old has registered himself as a player this season, playing six times, mainly as a substitute, though he was a goalkeeper in their Welsh Cup win over Blaenrhondda.
Hopkins will remain as part of the club and has will hold the assistant manager role whilst he begins to study for his coaching badges with the FAW Trust.
UEFA B Licence holder Craig Hughes will also remain with the club and will revalidate that qualification, whilst also being joined by Thomas Jones.
A statement from the club secretary Carol Fry said: “Dane brings with him a wealth of experience in both a player and coaching capacity which will prove invaluable for us as a club moving forward.
“We strongly believe that these changes further strengthen our skillset within the club and support our ambitious growth plans for the future.”
Williams is most known for leading Cambrian & Clydach Vale to the final of the 2018/19 Nathaniel MG Cup, where they lost narrowly to Cardiff Met.
He makes a return to management 17 months after his resignation from the Sky Blues, following a two-year spell at the M&P 3G.
In his first match in charge of Ynyshir, he successfully navigated a win in his first match, winning 4-2 against town rivals AFC Porth to remain in the playoff race.
Ynyshir travel to second-placed Pontyclun next Saturday needing a win to secure their involvement in the play-offs.
Pontyclun are second on 67 points and still hold title ambitions but require Pontardawe Town to lose to fifth-placed Penydarren BGC.
