GERARD Jones is eager to prove his credentials in management after working his way through a swathe of coaching qualifications and feels Eccleshill United will profit from his determination.

Jones has been coaching for Mark Ellis with the Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) and working for the Eagles by running the under-18s and reserve teams.

He was appointed the new head coach after Mark Tinker stepped down for personal reasons and assistant Martin Devaney elected to follow him out of the club.

"I'm not new to it (Eccleshill) – but I must admit when I was offered the role, it was a bit out of the blue," said Jones.

"I hadn't planned or expected it but I have always wanted to manage. I wanted to work my way up and was lucky enough to have had a few of the first-teamers in my reserve side when they were coming back from injury or needing a run-out after being on the bench for a couple of games.

"The chairman recently came to watch a reserve game. We beat Thackley 4-1 and he liked what he saw.

"I didn't know what was happening with Mark and Martin but the powers that be must have and they asked me if I'd be interested and I said yes.

"I'm very enthusiastic and passionate about the game and I have pride in what I do, to the extent that no-one will match me on that score.

"I've been coaching for around ten years and was a Halifax Town youth team player."

Jones has an impressive list of achievements and holds many qualifications within the game.

He has worked at grass-roots, district representative, academy, non-League, university and college levels and has coaching experience in the UK, Italy and New Zealand

He said: "I've been privileged to work with an exceptional team and I will have Mark Cox, who is an excellent coach, a good guy and very knowledgeable when it comes to football, players and coaching.

"Mark will help me and Hughie Gaughan will be taking a more prominent role – and I'm lucky to have Mark Ellis. He is Eccleshill's director of football and a Bradford City legend and with all that wealth of experience, I haven't actually appointed an assistant.

"The players we have at the club with this crop of RIASA lads are the best we've ever had here. But I don't think they have realised their full potential and I'm sure we can get the best out of them and advance their careers."