Llansantffraid Village manager Ray Jones believes he has ‘the best job in football’ after confirming that The Saints have applied to join the Cymru Alliance next season ‘just in case’.
Seasoned campaigner Jones (right) has been instrumental in bringing football back to the village following TNS’s move to Oswestry and says he is enjoying his football more than ever.
But speculation has mounted over the Festive Period that the former Guilsfield boss was weighing up a move ‘upstairs’ at the club to leave the day-to-day running of the side to a younger boss.
“It’s untrue,” said Jones. “I believe I have the best job in football. The chairman is my best friend so I have his full support; I am managing my home village club; I have a great bunch of local lads loyal to me and the club; the facilities we inherited are the best; the supporters are right behind us and the club is very well off financially.
“All I would say that IF we did go up to the Alliance, given my work commitments I would have to think long and hard to decide whether I would have the time required to do the job.”
The Saints have joined Berriew and Llanrhaeadr in applying for promotion with only one expected to be allowed. All three also seem undecided as to whether they would accept automatic promotion should they finish top of Spar Division One.
“We have applied so we don’t end up with egg on our face should we finish first or second,” said Jones. “At least then we would be able to make the choice.”
Jones said the club’s journey since reforming has been an incredible success story with financial reserves that would enable them to compete with the very best in the Alliance. But he believes the current policy of local players and no wages is proving popular with the community and would continue for the foreseeable future.
Llansantffraid Village defeated Dolgellau 5-1 last night in the Central Wales Cup with Nathan Prodger (2), Alwyn Williams, Steve Lalley (pen) and Keiron Evans on the mark. They could face Technogroup Welshpool in round four.