EDDIE Maurice-Jones was not out of football for long after agreeing to become first-team manager at Gresford Athletic.

The former Rhyl FC manager opted not to apply for the vacant managerial position at the newly formed CPD Y Rhyl 1879, and will now make a return t the JD Cymru North side with immediate effect.

Maurice-Jones started his managerial career at Gresford before moving onto Denbigh Town, where he steered the club to second place in the Huws Gray Alliance, which was their highest ever league finish in the Welsh domestic pyramid.

This was followed by a high-profile move to the Lilywhites, but things did not go according to plan at Belle Vue thanks in no small part to the matters going on off the pitch.

The newly appointed boss, said: "I'm delighted to have joined Gresford Athletic. It is a club that I have great respect and I have found lots of great memories there.

“To be given the opportunity to return to my local club, where it all started, is a privilege and I look forward to working with the staff, players and committee.”

Maurice-Jones will work with director of football Steve Halliwell on driving the club forward following a second-tier campaign that was largely inconsistent in the early stages before Athletic came on strong after the new year.

“Once I found out that Richard Capper was going to be stepping down and that Nick Ward was also, my attention turned straight to Eddie,” added Halliwell.

“I've been good friends with him for years and I feel that coming back into the club, alongside myself, is a perfect mix. He's had a few years away and gained valuable experience in the JD Cymru North and I'm sure, together, we can achieve good things at Gresford Athletic.

“We, as a club, have gained one of the most highly-sought after managers in Welsh football and that in itself is a huge statement from us."