ROCHDALE PIP RHYL IN BID FOR JONES
RHYL almost added another ex-Wrexham star to their squad recently when they narrowly failed in a bid to bring Welsh international midfielder Mark Jones to Belle Vue.
Jones, 24, who made his full Wales debut against Liechtenstein in 2006, last month joined League Two club Rochdale following a six-year stint at the Racecourse where he made 128 appearances, netting 22 goals.
But before opting for Spotland, Jones seriously considered an offer to join former Robins team mates Neil Roberts, Josh Johnson and Danny Williams at Rhyl.
Lilywhites director of football Jamie Digwood, who has strong past links with Wrexham, revealed the Welsh Premier leaders almost secured the services of midfield maestro Jones.
"It shows how far Rhyl have come, and the ambition there is here, that we can compete with League Two clubs for players," said Digwood.
"I've known Mark since he was a schoolboy at Wrexham; a lot of big clubs were showing an interest in him the season before last.
"He had two meetings with Peter Parry (president) and Mark Thomas (director) and was very impressed with Rhyl and the terms offered, but in the end he wanted to stay in the Football League and Rochdale offered him that chance."
Digwood added the new-look Rhyl Academy, which caters for youngsters between the ages of seven and 16, will be launched tonight at Rhyl Leisure Centre. More news to follow.
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Three years ago Mark Jones was the brightest young Welsh talent around..this and the Chris Ll business shows the ambition of the club. Big thanks to all the officials. We're really moving
Spot on Ioio, we really are competing with the big boys now, professional in all but name! It also shows that AB and OR are not entirely happy with the central midfield 'oldies' i.e. Kelly, Owen and Wilson my feeling also is if we are to suffer a blip then it will be in this department?
Even Wrexham fans have been shocked by our ambition. I'd like to think that fans of other WPL clubs (aside from the odd Bangor bod)are happy we at least trying to stop the Oswestry/Llanelli domination. The future's bright - the future's hi-vis orange!
The argument as to where Rhyl should be playing in ten years can be placed in abeyance for a bit; but, given the current ambitions & aspirations of the board, what a shame we're not hurtling up the English pyramid system!!
Yes I wish we were there too competing alongside the likes of Colwyn Bay in the Unibond League week in, week out. Oh for a return to those days of the FA Cup and ties against Oakham United, Curzon Ashton and bloody Belper.
Can't work out from that whether you really do long for those days Toss or whether you are taking the swazz. Do you really give a Toss Toss? Also, what sort of a name is Toss?
Toss is short for Thomas. My name is Thomas O'Connor. I avoid using my true name as I'll get bombarded with Name That Tune jokes. In Ireland, where my family originates from, people called Thomas are often called Toss for short. It is only our dirty-minded society that now likens my name to Tosser although I have been called that a few times. Anyway let's get back to football issues....
Thomas, even Belper is preferable to a trip to Caersws or Welshpool?
wobert.