Wales boss backs Lee John to make an impact on Llanelli return as he hails Caerau Ely boss Ben Stait
Mark Jones tipped Lee John for success at his former club. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
Former Wales C manager Mark Jones believes Lee John is the right man to lead Llanelli Town’s fight for survival, while he has also praised the impressive start made by Caerau Ely boss Ben Stait.
John has returned to Llanelli after leaving Afan Lido, replacing Terry Boyle following a difficult start to the season for the Reds.
The former Port Talbot winger faces a significant challenge, with his team seven points adrift at the bottom of the Cymru Premier and still searching for their first league win of the campaign.
Speaking on the Rob and Blakey podcast, featuring former Wolves and Wales striker Nathan Blake and long-serving BBC Wales broadcaster Rob Phillips, Jones backed John’s appointment and highlighted the connection he has with the club.
Jones, who led Carmarthen Town to Welsh Cup glory in the mid-2000s and has managed Wales C, has also been impressed by the progress made by Caerau Ely under Stait.
Mark Jones explains why Lee John is the right man for Llanelli return
Jones believes John has the qualities needed to reconnect with the supporters and give the club a chance of turning their season around.
The manager previously worked with John at Port Talbot and was full of praise for both his character and his ability.
“Good luck to Boyley, because he was such a class player and a class man,” Jones said.
“Llanelli have appointed Lee John, who was there before. An ex-player of mine at Port Talbot. He did a good job at Llanelli the first time.”
John’s previous experience at the club could prove important as he attempts to lift a struggling side and restore confidence among supporters.
Jones was particularly encouraged by the reaction to the appointment, suggesting the returning manager already has an important connection with the supporters.
“He’s got the love for the club to go back there. The response from the supporters, by the way, has been fantastic.
“I think he’s the man to get back at Llanelli. He has a tough job, by the way. If you’re six points adrift, you have to win eight of them, to say.
“He’s keen, he’s looking forward to going back there.”
Llanelli face huge task to escape Cymru Premier relegation trouble
John’s return comes at a difficult time with the club enduring a winless start to their league campaign.
The Reds are seven points adrift of safety, with Llantwit Major six points ahead of them in second-bottom place. The teams above also have games in hand, adding to the scale of the challenge facing their new manager.
John will need to find a way to turn performances into results quickly if they are to close the gap and give themselves a realistic chance of survival.
His first game in charge is scheduled for October 30, when Llanelli travel to face Pontypridd United.
The appointment also follows a difficult Welsh Cup defeat against Caerau Ely, who thrashed Llanelli 6-0 in a result that ultimately proved to be Boyle’s final match in charge.
That result underlined the contrast between the two clubs’ fortunes, with Caerau Ely enjoying an excellent run under their new manager.
Ben Stait has made a flying start at Caerau Ely
While Llanelli are looking for a fresh start, Caerau Ely have enjoyed an immediate upturn in results since appointing Ben Stait in August.
The club parted ways with long-serving manager Dean Wheeler before bringing in Stait, who has won every game since taking charge.
His early record includes five league victories and an impressive win over promotion rivals Aberystwyth Town, alongside the emphatic Welsh Cup triumph against the Reds.
Jones said he had expected Caerau Ely to challenge near the top of the table and believes their progress could have a significant impact on the local area.
“Ben Stait has made a good start at Caerau Ely. A very good start, and I expected them to be up there,” he said.
“If they could get to the Cymru Prem, it would be really good for the area.”
However, Jones was careful not to get carried away by Stait’s early success, pointing out that the task of securing promotion remains a demanding one.
“He’s still got a big job to do to get there because there’s a long way to go and there’s a lot of good sides in that league.”
