Old Gold bolster backroom team

CARMARTHEN Town have bolstered their backroom team as their new reserve set-up begins to take shape.

Ian Turner and Sean Jones have been appointed joint reserve team managers as the Old Gold’s focus now turns firmly towards the forthcoming season.

And Ian Coverdale has been named reserve team coach.

Richmond Park chiefs revealed earlier this month that they planned to strengthen the club’s foundations in a bid to bring more home-grown talent into their senior set-up.

The Old Gold were relegated from the JD Cymru Premier last term after the campaign was brought to a premature close because of the coronavirus emergency.

The new reserve team will compete in a league which will sit above the level of local football.

Five such leagues will be created, with two in the north, two in the south and one in Mid Wales.

All leagues will have 16 teams, with Carmarthen training and playing at Richmond Park.

Turner said: “I welcome the opportunity to return to my hometown club where I spent more than 10 years as a player.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead and can’t wait to get started.”

And Jones added: “I’m looking forward to the new challenge and the opportunity to give local players the chance to play at a higher standard.”

Town bosses, including first-team manager Kris O’Leary, want the reserve team to act as a support to both academy and under-19 players in their transition into the senior setup.

Coverdale said: “It’s a great opportunity for myself to be involved with the reserve team, working alongside some great coaches and players.

“A big draw to this role is being part of assisting the player pathway from the academy through to the development team and hopefully into the first team.”