Cymru South managers ranked by time in the job as Lee John takes over at struggling Llanelli Town
A look at which managers have spent the longest time in their position at all 16 Cymru South clubs. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
Lee John has become the latest manager to take charge in the Cymru South after returning to Llanelli Town, but as the newest boss in the league where does he rank among the longest-serving bosses in the division?
The Reds have turned to John following the departure of Terry Boyle, with the club facing a battle to preserve their Cymru South status. Llanelli sit bottom of the table, seven points adrift of safety, leaving their new manager with a significant challenge as he looks to turn the club’s fortunes around.
John starts his latest spell at the club with zero days in the role, placing him at the bottom of our list of the division’s current managers.
At the other end of the scale, Baglan Dragons boss Carl Clement has been in his position for more than seven years, while Caerphilly Athletic’s Ian Butterworth has also enjoyed a lengthy spell in charge.
Here, we rank all 16 managers by how long they have been in their current jobs, from the longest-serving to the newest appointment.
Cymru South managers ranked by time in charge
1. Carl Clement – Baglan Dragons (2,833 days)
Clement tops the list with 2,833 days in charge of Baglan Dragons, equivalent to around seven years and nine months. His tenure makes him the longest-serving manager among the clubs listed.
2. Ian Butterworth – Caerphilly Athletic (2,275 days)
Butterworth is second after spending 2,275 days at Caerphilly Athletic. That equates to more than six years in the job and places him well ahead of the majority of managers in the division.
3. Nana Baah – Cardiff Dracs (1,231 days)
Cardiff Dracs manager Baah has been in charge for 1,231 days, or around three years and four months.
4. Ben Murphy – Treowen Stars (892 days)
Murphy has spent 892 days in the Treowen Stars hot seat, putting him among the division’s more established managers.
5. Craig Hopkins – Ynyshir Albions (842 days)
Hopkins follows closely behind with 842 days at Ynyshir Albion, equivalent to around two years and four months.
6. Karl Lewis – Llantwit Major (540 days)
Lewis has been in charge at Llantwit Major for 540 days, giving him a tenure of approximately one year and six months.
7. Paul Evans – Trethomas Bluebirds (525 days)
Trethomas Bluebirds boss Evans has held the position for 525 days, narrowly behind Lewis in the rankings.
8. Jack Midwinter – Pure Swansea (437 days)
Midwinter has spent 437 days in charge of Pure Swansea, putting him just over a year into his tenure of the Cymru South league leaders.
9. Lee Surman – Afan Lido (365 days)
Surman reaches the one-year mark at Afan Lido with 365 days in the role.
10. Craig Williams – Aberystwyth Town (322 days)
Williams has been in charge of Aberystwyth Town for 322 days, putting him 43 days short of a full year.
11. Mark Driscoll – Pontypridd United (310 days)
Driscoll has spent 310 days at Pontypridd United, making him the 11th longest-serving manager on the list.
12. Robbie Willmott – Newport City (177 days)
Willmott has been in the Newport City job for 177 days, just under six months.
13. Rhodri Thomas – Carmarthen Town (142 days)
Thomas has spent 142 days in charge of Carmarthen Town, putting him among the newer appointments in the division.
14. Chris Evans – Pontardawe Town (140 days)
Evans follows closely behind Thomas, with 140 days at Pontardawe Town. The pair are separated by just two days.
15. Ben Stait – Caerau Ely (56 days)
Stait has been in charge at Caerau Ely for 56 days, making his tenure one of the shortest among the established managers listed. He’s won all five of his games in the Cymru South, and also masterminded a 6-0 win over Llanelli, ending a managerial tenure.
16. Lee John – Llanelli Town (0 days)
John completes the rankings after being appointed Llanelli Town manager. With one day recorded in the role, he is the division’s newest appointment on this list.
The challenge facing John is clear. Llanelli are bottom of the table and seven points from safety, meaning he will need to make an immediate impact if the Reds are to climb away from danger.
What is the average tenure of a Cymru South manager?
Across the 16 managers listed, the combined time in their current roles is 11,087 days.
That gives an average tenure of approximately 693 days, equivalent to around one year and 11 months for a manager in the Cymru South.
The figure is heavily influenced by the lengthy spells of Clement and Butterworth. Both have been in their jobs for several years, while a number of other managers have yet to reach the one-year mark.
At the opposite end of the rankings, John is only just beginning his latest spell at Llanelli, while Stait, Evans and Thomas are also relatively early in their respective tenures.
