Jones returns as Marine No 2 (From Swindon Advertiser)

Jones returns as Marine No 2

7:40am Thursday 24th June 2010

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By Anthony Marshall »

FORMER Town star Tom Jones has been appointed the new assistant manager of Swindon Supermarine.

The midfielder made more than 200 appearances during a four-year spell at the County Ground, playing under Lou Macari, Ossie Ardiles and Glenn Hoddle as the club enjoyed some unforgettable moments including the 1990 play-off final victory to the top flight and their subsequent demotion for financial irregularities.

Jones can count Aberdeen and Reading among his other former sides, and has experience as a coach both at home and abroad - including a brief stint in charge at Marine - something which Collier believes can only help his Southern League Premier Division charges.

“Richard Smith, our most recent assistant manager, cannot commit to full-time next season, so we needed to get someone else in and Tom seemed perfect,” he explained.

“I’ve known him for years, he is an A-licenced coach who was assistant manager of Busan I’Park in South Korea alongside Ian Porterfield, and also was in caretaker charge of the Armenian national team.

“So he’s got pedigree, both as a coach and a player and will be somebody the players really respect.

“I would like to think he has got a lot of contacts. His knowledge and understanding of the game is fantastic and hopefully that can rub off on us.

“We can all learn from him, be it myself, the coaches or the players.

“Tom has spent the last few years doing a bit of his own coaching and runs his own soccer school. Sometimes when you get out of football it can be difficult to get back in, so we are giving him that opportunity.

“He is a local guy and only lives in Peatmoor, so he knows the club and knows quite a few of the players. He will be a great addition to us.”

Collier has made his first new signing ahead of the 2010/11 campaign in the shape of former Town midfielder Ben Wells, who has had recent spells with Basingstoke Town and Weston-super-Mare in the Blue Square South.

Steve Cook, Dave Bampton, Chris Taylor, Kyle Lapham, Leigh Henry, Nick Stanley and Sam Morris have also all signed on for next season at Hunts Copse.

But Marine are on the lookout for a new keeper after stopper Matty Bulman headed back up the A419 to rejoin Cirencester Town.