Echo man Mark to lead Wales against the old enemy
ECHO football columnist Mark Jones is to switch from writing the news to making it – as manager of Wales versus England.
Jones, from Cardiff, has been handed the prestigious role of managing the Wales side in an historic first C international against the Three Lions.
The game will feature the best Welsh XI from the Welsh Premiership versus England’s non-league finest, made up of their top players from the Conference.
It takes place at Barry Town’s Jenner Park ground on Tuesday, March 20 (7.30pm) and helps mark the 25th anniversary of the League of Wales, which came into being in the 1992-93 season.
The FA of Wales and the Football Association are each hoping to make the C international between the two great rivals into a regular fixture.
Jones writes a weekly Welsh League column for the Echo, but he has been selected as Wales manager for this game because of his unrivalled knowledge of the Welsh Premier scene.
Jones took two sides into Europe and also has Welsh Cup final appearances to his name as a manager. His Port Talbot team pushed FC Copenhagen close in the Europa League, before falling gallantly.
He also stays right on top of the Welsh Premier set-up these days as English-language commentator for Saturday night matches on S4C’s Sgorio football programme.
Jones can only pick Welsh players, but is relishing the opportunity of his team pitting their wits against England’s non-league finest.
“I’m very proud and honoured to be appointed to this role. I have been involved with our National League for over 20 years and honestly don’t feel that the standard of domestic football here in Wales gains the credit it deserves,” he said.
“I was fortunate enough to take teams into Europe and am relishing the relishing the challenge on March 20.
“Of course, England will offer very tough opposition and I’m sure that it will be a great occasion which can hopefully be repeated on a regular basis.”
England will be managed by Paul Fairclough, who has taken charge of the Three Lions C team since 2003 and has spent spells in charge of Stevenage and Barnet.
He will be able to choose the cream of the crop from Conference pacesetters Macclesfield, Aldershot, Tranmere and Dover, as well as the likes of former Football League clubs Dagenham and Redbridge, Hartlepool and Leyton Orient. Ironically, England will also be able to call upon non-Welsh players in the Wrexham side currently in fourth and seeking promotion back into League Two.
Fairclough said: “Similar to the progress made by the England ‘full’ senior team, Wales too have taken great strides forward.
“There is a new generation of younger players in England and Wales who have experienced, in academies, the emphasis on passing the ball.
“Many of the players who will take part in this auspicious occasion will be eager and keen to express themselves. I am confident this will result in an excellent game of football.”
England C played two games against a Wales Semi-Pro XI in 2008 and 2010.
The FA head of National League System, Laurence Jones, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for players of the two associations to experience international competition.”
Fear not regular readers of the Echo, Wales’ manager will still be bringing you his regular Welsh League column, despite his other rather important commitments.