Pontypridd Town name Pontardawe boss as their new first-team manager
Ynyshir Albions v v Pontardawe Town in the Ardal South West at The Oval on the 12th April 2022. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Pontypridd Town have appointed Andrew Stokes as their new first-team manager.
Stokes leaves his job as manager of Pontardawe Town to take charge of the Dragons for their first season in the Cymru Premier.
Pontypridd Town were on the search for a new manager following the resignation of Jonathan Jones last week.
Stokes led Pontardawe to the Ardal South West title, finishing first after a win over Penydarren a fortnight ago.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining such an ambitious club and working in the Cymru Premier,” he said after his unveiling by the club.
“Listening to Paul and Steve’s vision, I’m confident that collectively we can continue to build on the good work already put in place to push the club forward to achieve our targets.”
In response to his departure from Parc Ynysderw, Pontardawe Town said: “Everyone at Pontardawe Town would like to thank the gaffer for being such a massive part of our club as a player, a manager, a supporter, and a true friend.
“The club committee will now discuss our next steps as we look for the right person to lead us into next season which is an exciting chapter for ourselves.
Away from Pontardawe, he is the Head Coach at Gower College, as well as a lecturer there, specialising in Coaching Performance. Stokes is also a Coach Education Level Three Tutor and Mentor for the FAW Trust.
The 36-year-old was previously a coach at Swansea City for 13 years, working first as a community lead coach before then becoming an academy coach in 2007, before leaving in 2013.
He also worked with Manchester United, as a Soccer Schools Lead Coach and Mentor.
As well as managing Gower College, he was entrusted to oversee the Welsh Colleges team from 2013 to 2017.
Stokes possesses the UEFA A Licence that would allow him to manage at second-tier level in Welsh football.
Pontypridd must now find a UEFA Pro Licence holder or someone working towards the qualification by the end of next April.
Andrew Stokes is the best manger that pontardawe town have had sicne the Robert Cooke days he has done really well and on behalf of of myself and fellow committee members at the club we will need someone to take over from Andrew who’s got experience in the league that we are going up in thanks Andrew for all the hard work in getting ponty up to the next level and good luck for the future