Former Wales international Mark Aizlewood gets manager job a year after being released from prison

Former Wales international Mark Aizlewood has returned to the hotseat of JD Cymru South side Carmarthen Town.

Aizlewood represented Cardiff City, Leeds United and Bristol City during his playing days, and also earned 39 caps for Wales. But his coaching career has seen him become part of the furniture at Camarthen, and he is now set to succeed Sean Cresser, who's chosen to leave the club after a recent change in the managerial structure.

It's the first managerial role Aizlewood has taken since he was released from prison last year, although he was already on the books at Carmarthen having joined Cresser's coaching staff last summer. He will now take charge of the club's final game of the season against Pontypridd Town on Saturday.

Prison, football, family, the Samaritans and me: Mark Aizlewood on life after jail

The 62-year-old, along with fellow former footballer Paul Sugrue, was jailed for his role in a £5m sports leadership scam back in 2018. He had previously suggested that he wouldn't return to football during an in-depth interview with WalesOnline shortly after his release. You can read more on that here.

However, he is still highly revered at Richmond Park, having spent six years as manager of the club during a successful first spell shortly before his arrest and eventual imprisonment. During his time at the helm, Aizlewood oversaw two Welsh League Cup wins, and also preserved their status in the Welsh top flight for a number of seasons.

In a statement released by the club on Sunday, it read: “Mark Aizlewood will lead Carmarthen Town AFC’s efforts to return to the Cymru Premier next season, having been appointed as Manager instead of Sean Cresser.

“The club is extremely disappointed that Sean will not form part