FORMER Newport County and Aldershot Town assistant boss Matthew Bishop has this week been unveiled as the new first team manager of Aberystwyth Town.

Chairman Tony Bates has described the appointment as a ‘coup for Aberystwyth,’ and confirmed that Bishop will be assisted by former Haverfordwest boss Wayne Jones, who joined the club last week.

The Penrhyncoch-based coach has just completed an incredible season as the assistant manager at Hereford, which saw them play in the FA Vase Final on Sunday.

The Bulls had already won the Midland Football League Premier Division, the League Cup and the Herefordshire Challenge Cup in a remarkable first season for the club, but their appearance at Wembley ended in a 4-1 defeat to Morpeth Town.

“We are delighted to have secured Matthew’s services at the Club, and when you look at his coaching CV it must be a coup for Aberystwyth Town FC to have him on board,” commented Bates this week.

“Having a locally-based manager was important to the Club for a number of reasons as we look forward to the 3G era, and given his experience and track record of success Matthew fitted the bill perfectly.

“I know Matthew is very keen to hit the ground running as the window for signing players opens on 9 June,” he added.

“I am also extremely confident that ‘Bish’ will work well with our new assistant manager at the club Wayne Jones.

“I would also like to thank most sincerely our previous management team of Ian Hughes and Wyn Thomas, and wish them both every success in their future footballing careers - they will both always receive a warm welcome at Park Avenue.”

Before joining Hereford FC, Bishop had previously been Dean Holdsworth’s first team coach at Newport County, and helped guide them to promotion by winning the Blue Square Bet Conference South by a record points margin in 2010.

He was appointed as Aldershot Town’s assistant manager in January 2011, when following Holdsworth from Newport.

A holder of Europe’s top coaching badge, the UEFA Pro-Licence, Bishop previously worked with the Football Association of Wales Trust in several roles, and has worked with Wales Under 16s, 17s, and the England Under 20s sides.

He is currently employed by the English FA as Senior National Coach Developer.

Born in Derby, in 1973, he has spent most of his career in Wales, since captaining the Swansea City youth team as a combative full-back under Terry Yorath.

He spent two seasons at Aberystwyth Town, in the Welsh Premier League, and from there his playing career took him to Conwy United, Bangor City, Rhayader, Penrhyncoch, Bryntirion Athletic and Cwmbran. He was part of the 2002-03 Penrhyncoch team which won the Mid-Wales League and CWFA Cup double.