Aberystwyth Town Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Hughes as First Team Manager.

Following Tomi Morgan's resignation last week, the Club moved quickly and promoted Hughes from within the Management Team, where he has been Assistant Manager since January 2010, when he joined then Manager Alan Morgan.

Anglesey-born Ian, 29, is one of the youngest coaches in Wales to have achieved the UEFA A licence standard, at just 24 years of age. He was formerly Academy Director and Assistant Manager of Llangefni Town, and helped them to lift the Cymru Alliance in 2010, although they were unable to be promoted to the Welsh Premier after failing to achieve the club licencing criteria. Ian has experience coaching at Wrexham’s Academy, and has been based with the Welsh Football Trust for the last four years as a Coach and Player Development Officer.

With a significant portion of last season's playing squad on contract through till the end of 2013/4, the need for continuity was apparent, and Ian will be joined on the Management Team by Wyn Thomas, who becomes Assistant Manager, and Antonio Corbisiero, who becomes First Team Coach. Both Wyn and Antonio are currently studying for the necessary A Licences.

Ian said: "It's a privilege to be asked to take the club forward and build upon the strong foundations that have been set. The club prides itself on its strong community links and with such a strong, loyal fan base it gives us a great opportunity to move forward together.

Sustainability is key and it's great that Wyn Thomas has accepted my offer of becoming the Club's Assistant Manager. Antonio Corbisiero will become First Team Coach as well as being an important player on the pitch.

Finally I would like to thank both Alan and Tomi Morgan. Tomi has been supportive of my appointment which I appreciate, and I look forward to starting in my new role."

Club Chairman Tony Bates added: "The Board of Directors and I are looking forward to a new and exciting phase for the Club, with a youthful and highly motivated Management Team. We have high hopes for the future under Ian, Wyn and Antonio, and we encourage all our supporters to get right behind them as they endeavour to bring success to Aberystwyth Town Football Club."

The ladies on Thursday finish off their season playing again at Penrhyncoch FC in the CWFA Cup Final after beating Caernarfon there last Sunday

The game on Sunday was played at Penrhyncoch FC and was officially the Cofis' home game but it was Aber who performed like the home side. They were 3-0 up within the hour following goals from Claire Thomas (13) Anna Jones (og 20)and Kelly Thomas (58) Caernarfon did round off their season with a consolation goal by Katie Bowen in the 67th minute befrore Mel Davies netted a 4th for Aber with 5 minutes remaining, which saw Aberystwyth finish in 7th place, level on points with Port Talbot Ladies in sixth, after an impressive second half of the season.

On Thursday Aberystwyth Town Ladies take on Aberystwyth Uni, at Penrhyncoch, as they look to win the CWFA Cup again. Kick off is at 7.30pm.

Aberystwyth Town Football Club can confirm this evening that Manager Tomi Morgan has resigned as First Team Manager with immediate effect.

Tomi said: "Due to continuing and increasing work pressures I can foresee not being in a position to continue to give 100 per cent to the role of Manager. It is therefore with regret that I tender my resignation. I wish the club every success for the future and thank all those who have supported me during my time as Manager."

After returning to Park Avenue in February 2012, Tomi made a major contribution to Aberystwyth Town Football Club last season by leading the Black and Greens to Welsh Premier League safety and a Europa League Semi Final Play Off place, and he kept Aber up again in 2012/3.

Club Chairman Tony Bates said: “It was no surprise to me that Tomi was inducted last year into the Welsh Premier League Hall of Fame, and in my view it is a big blow to the Club that we will be losing the services of a man whose experience in all aspects of semi professional Welsh football is second to none. It is certainly my hope that, perhaps after finishing certain ventures I know he is keen to pursue, Tomi will return in some capacity to Aberystwyth Town Football Club.

Although Tomi’s decision to resign is for personal reasons I suspect that he is keen to see the management of the Club going in the direction of younger and, as far as possible, local coaches: after all, Tomi started his managerial career with Aberystwyth at the age of 29, and I am extremely hopeful that Ian Hughes, who is himself 29, will remain as part of the management team for next season and beyond. Tomi has also been in discussions with me about one or two suitably qualified local individuals who might be prepared to step up to Welsh Premier League management and I hope to have further news on that very shortly.

Thankfully, for the first time in many years we have, thanks mainly to Tomi, a largely settled squad of players ready for next season, with Stuart Jones, Antonio Corbisiero, Chris Venables and Declan Carroll contracted to the Club, and a number of other players keen to sign.
On behalf of the Board I wish Tomi every success in the future and I am confident that the relationship I have forged with him particularly over the last 18 months, can only be for the future benefit of the Club.”

Tomi leaves the club with thanks from everyone at Park Avenue, and we wish him every success for the future.