Gray expectations (From Free Press Series)

Gray expectations

Pontypool have added David Gray to their coaching team and confirmed that Steve Jones will not be involved in first team affairs next season after being offered a role developing young talent around the Torfaen and Monmouthshire area.

With the ink barely dry on the 2005/2006 fixture list, Pooler have unveiled a new coaching squad to spearhead an assault on the Welsh Premiership next year.

Ex-Blackwood and Newport under-19 coach Gray has been appointed forwards coach, completing a four strong line up that includes Kevin Weaver as defensive coach, Steve Cross as backs coach and David Smith as Fitness coach and team manager.

Pontypool-based Gray comes to the club having only recently accepted his first senior coaching role at Division One outfit Blackwood after a successful period with Newport's youth set-up last season.

And he will have to settle in quickly as Pooler gear up for another top-flight season with the visit of Pontypridd on September 4.

Other matches that catch the eye are the two derby fixtures with Newport on November 25 and April 29.

Pooler visit Rodney Parade in November and entertain the black and amber's in the return fixture on the final day of the season.

Steve Jones meanwhile is still considering his future after being offered a position coaching local club's youth sides.

The role has been created in line with part of a new WRU directive which clubs have to adhere to if they want to remain in the top tier of Welsh Rugby beyond this season.

"I don't want to get involved in the politics of it all. It's just an honour to be involved with a great club like Pontypool, said Gray.

"Steve is a good bloke, I know him personally as a friend of mine and we both want Pontypool to be at the top."

Gray revealed that the first contact he had with Pontypool was late last week.

"I was phoned on Friday and asked would I be interested?

I was already committed to Blackwood so it was tough decision. I had been approached by Ebbw Vale the week before and turned them down but Pontypool are a far bigger club and this was an opportunity I didn't want to miss.

"I want to look to play exciting rugby and compete not just with Newport but with the likes of Llanelli and Neath.

"This is a challenge and that's what life's all about. I'm looking forward to it, I've lived in Pontypool all my life.

"We've all got to move forward now and if I can achieve half as much as Junna (Steve Jones) I'll be laughing," he added.

In a statement released by Pontypool RFC, Director of Rugby Gareth Hale said: "Steve Jones has been offered a new role within the club and negotiations continue between us.

"I very much hope that he stays on board, albeit in a different role.

"I acknowledge the enormous contribution Steve Jones has made to the success of Pontypool Rugby Club and indeed to our very survival. I will never be able to thank him enough for it.

"We all owe him a huge debt of respect.

"I now want to move forward with the new coaching team and this group of hugely talented players that we have assembled.

"They will do there talking on the rugby field.

"We expect to finish at the top end of the table."

A shell-shocked Steve Jones said: "I'm obviously very disappointed with the way things have happened.

"I'm a hands on coach and I like to be on the field with the boys. I didn't see it coming, it came out of the blue but obviously they can see a different picture than I can.

"This is a shock, I need to sit down and take stock of everything that's going on.

"But at least, before the announcement, the majority of the squad is signed up," he added.